On Friday, October 3, Hauppauge High School hosted a special seminar day for 9th graders, designed to help students build the skills and mindset needed for success throughout high school and beyond. The morning featured a series of engaging workshops focused on essential 21st-century topics, including artificial intelligence, financial literacy, and effective study habits.
The day kicked off with the “AI and Your Future” workshop, led by Mrs. Becker, Mrs. Seale, and Mrs. Shapiro. Students explored the exciting and evolving world of artificial intelligence, learning how AI is shaping the images they see online, the tools they use, and even how they’ll work in the future. The session began with a hands-on activity in spotting fake AI images, turning students into digital detectives as they identified subtle clues distinguishing real photos from AI-generated creations. The discussion then shifted to AI ethics, prompting students to consider the responsible use of this powerful technology. The highlight of the workshop was an interactive session on prompt engineering, where students practiced crafting precise prompts to achieve the best results from AI tools. The workshop emphasized that students are not just passive consumers of AI—they have the power to engage with it thoughtfully and ethically.
Following the AI session, students participated in an interactive Financial Literacy workshop led by a representative from Teachers Federal Credit Union. This session offered practical lessons on budgeting, saving, and understanding credit, equipping students with skills to manage their personal finances responsibly.
The day concluded with a Study Skills workshop presented by the Smithtown Youth Bureau. Students learned strategies for organization, time management, and goal-setting, helping them navigate their academic journey successfully and build habits that support lifelong learning.
Hauppauge High School’s Seminar Day reflects the school’s ongoing commitment to fostering well-rounded learners who think critically, act responsibly, and make informed decisions about their futures.