Hands-on learning helps Wylie High students understand the real impact of health choices.
Communities In Schools (CIS), in collaboration with Cisco Junior College, Nikki Valdez, and Rick Sanders, LPC, brought an interactive health education experience to Wylie High students that made science—and choices—feel real.
During lunch hours, seventeen students from Cisco’s Respiratory Program filled the foyer with colorful displays, real lung demonstrations, and important conversations about lung health. The event focused on “Healthy vs. Unhealthy Lungs,” showing how lifestyle choices like vaping or smoking can directly affect the respiratory system.
Students didn’t just watch—they participated. Cisco students guided their younger peers through hands-on demonstrations, including a ventilator station that allowed high schoolers to feel and see how healthy lungs expand compared to damaged ones. “It was cool,” one student shared. “The lungs felt strange, but it made me think about how important breathing really is.”
Prizes were awarded to students who asked questions and interacted with the presenters, creating a lively, welcoming atmosphere that blended education with fun. Many students commented that it was one of the best and most memorable lunchtime presentations they’ve ever attended.
Adding to the day’s learning opportunities, representatives from the Betty Hardwick Center joined the event to discuss Fentanyl Awareness and mental health. Each Wednesday, Betty Hardwick staff visit the Wylie campus to share resources on substance abuse prevention, mental health awareness, and access to local medical and counseling services for individuals and families affected by substance use disorders.
Both organizations—Cisco Junior College and the Betty Hardwick Center—partnered with CIS to provide Wylie students a powerful reminder: knowledge is prevention. Events like these build understanding, spark meaningful dialogue, and connect students with the community resources that help them make informed, healthy choices for life.
Because when learning goes beyond the textbook, lessons stick—and in this case, they might just save a life.
