Cooking Up Confidence: Empowering Students with Real-World Skills in Culinary Arts & Textiles

Cooking Up Confidence: Empowering Students with Real-World Skills in Culinary Arts & Textiles

At Warwick High School, Family & Consumer Science (FACS) is shaping more than skills—it’s shaping futures. Thanks to the ‘Bringing FACS into the Future’ grant, students are discovering the joy of hands-on learning with updated tools that transform classrooms into spaces of confidence, creativity, and career readiness.

Why the Grant Matters

Family & Consumer Science teacher Emily Badaracco explains: “The funding supports our ongoing efforts to improve the quality and effectiveness of our program. It enables us to provide essential learning materials, giving all students access to the resources they need to succeed.” 

With the grant, FACS classrooms came alive with state-of-the-art KitchenAid mixers, sewing machines, pasta machines, and pasta press attachments. These additions have elevated the curriculum, creating more interactive lessons where creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration thrive.

Impact on Teaching and Learning

For Emily, the grant has been transformative. “The upgraded equipment has increased student engagement by making lessons more interactive and enjoyable,” she said. “Students are given the freedom to experiment with recipes, designs, and techniques while building real-world, employable skills in culinary arts and textiles.”

Bridging theoretical instruction with tangible application reinforces student understanding in deeper ways. In culinary arts, students apply concepts like time management, recipe development, nutrition, and food safety. In textile and sewing, students engage with design principles, pattern reading, construction techniques, and the use of modern tools.

“By aligning hands-on activities with curriculum objectives, our project not only supports academic learning but also helps students make meaningful connections between classroom content and real-life skills,” Emily explained.

Favorite Moments in Action

There’s no shortage of favorite teaching moments since the grant’s arrival. One special occasion was students making pasta from scratch for the very first time. “They were so excited and proud of their creations. It gave them a sense of independence and confidence, especially since most don’t have access to this kind of equipment at home.”

Another came during the textiles unit when students had the opportunity to make their own pajama pants and pillowcases. “For many, it was their first time using a sewing machine. Completing a finished product they could take home brought a deep sense of pride,” said Emily.

For students, these impactful experiences not only reinforce essential skills but also provide a sense of ownership in their education.

Student Feedback

The students’ response has been overwhelmingly positive. Many were surprised by how fun (and how possible) it was to make pasta from scratch. One group even asked if they could extend their skills to prepare a full meal. “Their curiosity and enthusiasm have grown tremendously,” Emily said. “The grant has created a more dynamic and inspiring environment where students feel empowered, capable, and motivated to succeed.”

Looking Forward

Grants like this showcase the power of donor generosity. Updated tools not only enhance Warwick’s Family & Consumer Science program but also give students the confidence, creativity, and career-ready skills to thrive long after graduation.

Because of you, Warwick students aren’t just preparing for the future—they’re shaping it themselves, one project, one recipe, and one inspired learner at a time.

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