Groton — The morning co-host of Jammin' 107.7 turned up the music and Odie Wilson, 21, called out the song name: "DJ Snake, 'Let Me Love You.'"

"That's cool, right?" said Alyssa Moody, who co-hosts as "Pebbles" with Brian Ram in the morning. Wilson, who'd been quiet earlier at the Groton Transition Academy, suddenly had a lot to say: "Nicki Minaj, Drake, hip hop, R&B, for today's hottest jams, Jammin 107.7, it's gonna be hot!"

Groton's Transition Academy teaches life and work skills to 18- to 21-year-old students with special needs, and on Monday, the students took a trip to the radio station. The trip was part of the program's effort to give students the chance to explore their interests, think about future jobs and learn skills they'll need to succeed when they leave.

Students in the academy have finished high school and have identified disabilities: intellectual disabilities, multiple disabilities or autism. Some cannot communicate verbally. The state requires school districts to offer a community-based program for students with these challenges after they complete their academics in high school.

Groton used to house its academy in Robert E. Fitch High School. But it confused some of the students: Why were they still in high school when they'd already finished? There were also practical challenges; the room where they went wasn't equipped to really teach them all they needed to know.

So the district came up with an alternative. In August, school facilities staff cleaned out the gymnasium in the school administration building and built a school within it. They framed the walls, installed lighting, hung dry wall, carpeted floors, painted and installed a kitchen and laundry area. By the second week of September, the students moved into their own space with the appliances they'd need to learn basic living skills.

"It was truly remarkable what they did," Superintendent Michael Graner said.

The school serves as a home base for academy students, who also spend part of each day going to different businesses to learn more about what's available to them and gain independence. Many of the program's former students access services through the Department of Developmental Services, which assists people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the students go to Fairview Odd Fellows Home of Connecticut. They set tables, fold towels, care for birds and fish at the facility, pass out art supplies and help residents with art activities, such as painting. The students also help residents with limited mobility do chair exercises.

On Fridays, they visit Spare Time in Groton, a bowling center and arcade. They dust racks that hold the bowling balls, wipe down tables and chairs, clean lockers and do other jobs. On Mondays and Wednesdays, they explore recreation and leisure, which may mean a trip to a local park or beach, or a trip to a restaurant to learn how to order lunch.

"We're always thinking with an eye toward the future. Potential jobs they could have as they leave the program," said Dara Yovino, special education teacher. She runs the program with three vocational paraprofessionals.

Most of the students, like Wilson, love music. So a trip to the radio station lets them see what that entails. Wilson was in his element, naming every artist he knew.

"Maybe you could visit some radio stations and just listen and watch what the people did," Yovino suggested.

On another recent trip, students visited two local grocery stores. The students brought a shopping list and wrote down what each item cost.

"We want to find the lowest price so we can have more money to buy other stuff," said Ethan Davis, 19.

The academy also has a partnership with "Noank Nibbles," a local business that sells teas, herbs and spice mixes. Students package the company's products, assembly-line style. One or more students measure spices; another student weighs the bag; the next seals the package and another student labels it. A final student checks the finished product to make sure it looks the way it should.

Davis thinks about his future.

"When I have a little spare time, I make art. That's what I do. I make art and this is what I'm good at," he said. He also likes building, he said. "People been telling me that I'm really good at building things. My life is about building things. So I'm an artist and a builder."

The program may have found a way to help Davis explore this interest. The academy plans to have him work with school staff to try refinishing tables.

"Ethan, he's a very hands-on young man," Yovino said. "He likes to work with wood, build." In the spring, he may help with landscaping and try that, she said.

"My life is going to be going on for a long time," Davis said. "My life is going to be very busy when I get older."

d.straszheim@theday.com