Students at the Hewes Educational Center recently took a creative approach to studying the science of hair, thanks to a collaboration between Cosmetology and Career & Technical Explorations classes at Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES.
The hands-on experience provided an up-close look at the science of hair, focusing on its internal and external structures. Participants examined the building blocks of hair, including amino acids (COHNS), polypeptide chains, and the three layers of the hair shaft: the cuticle, cortex, and medulla.
The lesson began when Christie Asel’s Career & Technical Explorations class visited the Cosmetology program, working alongside instructors Kara Rusco and Kyla Rodriguez. Using colorful pop beads to represent amino acids and peptide bonds, the group constructed polypeptide chains in a helical shape.
They then cross-linked the chains using hydrogen, salt, and disulfide bonds, demonstrating how each bond contributes to hair’s strength and flexibility.
Later in the week, the partnership continued when Asel’s class welcomed the Cosmetology group into their classroom for a creative review of hair shaft anatomy — with a fun and tasty twist.
Using pretzel sticks, melted chocolate, and sprinkles, participants built edible models representing the three layers of the hair shaft. The pretzel stick served as the cuticle, melted chocolate symbolized the cortex, and sprinkles illustrated the medulla.
By blending science, creativity, and career-focused learning, the collaboration deepened understanding of hair structure while highlighting real-world applications in cosmetology. The experience also reinforced the importance of teamwork and hands-on learning, creating an engaging and memorable educational opportunity.
