17-05-2025
Manlius Pebble Hill students dive into AI innovation
Manlius, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) – Students at Manlius Pebble Hill School are getting a head start in a subject most high schoolers don't even touch: artificial intelligence. For senior Andy Wladis, the opportunity to dive into AI was too good to pass up.
'I emailed my guidance counselor. I emailed the head of the school and said, 'I have a huge passion for this. I would love to take these classes,'' Wladis said. 'It was one of the best decisions I've made at MPH.'
Dr. Gus Lott teaches the AI elective. He says the class is about exploration as much as instruction. He encourages students to experiment with AI tools in a hands-on environment unique from other schools in Upstate New York.
'Other teachers, reasonably, say, 'Don't use AI in this class—we want you to do the work,'' Lott explained. 'But in my class, it's like, 'Use AI. What's it like to use a speech writer to do the writing for you?'
It's not about cutting corners, it's about understanding the tool and using it responsibly. Students are expected to be transparent when using AI, and many teachers at MPH support that approach.
'If you want to use it to outline, that's completely fine,' Wladis said. 'You just have to tell them that you're using it so it's very clear. Our teachers are open to innovation.'
Dr. Lott compares AI to a modern research assistant or Google Scholar, saying it provides students with a lot of information; he said, 'It's kind of a new version of a Google Scholar search, or a librarian, or a research assistant.'
For students like Wladis, the course isn't just an elective—it's a launchpad. He's heading to Arizona State University in the fall to study computer science, and says MPH played a key role in preparing him.
'I think MPH has really helped me develop my skill set, both academically and socially,' he said. 'I'm really thankful for MPH, and I'm really thankful for the future.'
With AI continuing to shape the world, these students aren't just learning how to use it—they're getting ready to lead the way.
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