What is STEM STEM can be An acronym

What is STEM?

STEM can be… An acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering & Math 1. Interdisciplinary – formal, physical, life, social, & applied science 2. Curriculum driven by problem-solving, discovery, exploratory learning, active learning to find solutions 3. “a meta-discipline” transforming subject matter by incorporating technology & engineering

Ellen Richards Founded Family & Consumer Sciences Ellen Swallow Richards FCS Pioneer 1842 -1911 • Ellen lived 1842 -1911 when filth, disease & suffering was common. Only half of the children lived to adulthood. • Ellen became a scientist, philosopher and change agent at MIT. • She felt science and research would have a stronger impact if it applied to improve living environments.

Our first STEM connection… • She was dedicated to this new field of connecting scientific knowledge to practical applications. • She addressed food safety, water quality and safe home environments.

Overall STEM Education… • Integrates science, technology, engineering, & math into one learning experience • Uses project-based learning • Reinforces real world application • Prepares students for integrated careers • Develops “soft” & technical skills

STEM Skills • Analytical skills to research a topic, develop a project and timeline, and draw conclusions from research results. • Science skills to break down a complex scientific system into smaller parts, recognize cause and effect relationships, and defend opinions using facts. • Mathematic skills for calculations and measurements. • Attention to detail by following technical directions, recording data accurately, formative and summative assessment.

STEM Skills • Technical skills, troubleshooting, repairing, and utilizing software and modern equipment. • Communication and cooperation skills to listen to customer needs or interact with project partners. • Teamwork skills for successful project completion. • Creativity to solve problems and develop new ideas. • Leadership skills to lead projects or help customers. • Organization skills to keep track of lots of different information. • Time management skills to function efficiently.

21 st Century Skills • Core subjects and 21 st Century themes • • • Global awareness Financial, economic, business, and entrepreneurial literacy Civic literacy Health literacy Environmental literacy • Learning and innovation skills • Creativity and innovation • Critical thinking and problem solving • Communication and collaboration • Information, media, and technology skills • Life and career skills

Soft Skills “personal qualities, habits, attitudes & social behaviors that make an individual a good employee” • Verbal/written communication skills • Leadership skills • Organization skills • Curiosity & imagination • Technology experience • • • Teamwork skills Time management Following directions Desire to learn Creative problem-solving skills

Curricular Attributes STEM FCS • Challenging Curriculum • Inquiry-Based Learning • Defined Outcomes • Sustained Commitment/Community Involvement

STEM is FCS • Teamwork, Leadership, & Time Management – Career, Community & Family Connections • 1. 1 Analyze strategies to manage multiple roles and responsibilities (individual, family, career, community, and global) • Creative Problem Solving – Consumer & Family Resources • 2. 1 Demonstrate management of individual and family resources such as food, clothing, shelter, health care, recreation, transportation, time, and human capital

STEM is FCS • Curiosity & Imagination • Math Skills – Education & Early Childhood • 4. 3 Demonstrate integration of curriculum and instruction to meet children’s developmental needs and interests – Food Production & Services • 8. 6. 10 Apply principles of inventory management, labor cost and control, and facilities management to front and back of the house operations

STEM is FCS • Following Detailed Directions – Housing & Interior Design • 11. 6 Evaluate client’s needs, goals, and resources in creating design plans for housing and residential and commercial interiors • Verbal Communication – Interpersonal Relationships • 13. 3 Demonstrate communication skills that contribute to positive relationships

STEM is FCS • Science Skills – Foods & Nutrition • 14. 3 Demonstrate ability to acquire, handle, and use foods to meet nutrition and wellness needs of individuals and families across the life span • Experience with Technology – Textiles, Apparel, & Fashion • 16. 3. 4 Demonstrate design concepts with fabric or technology/computer using draping and/or flat pattern making technique

“STEM-ifying” FCS Problems (Scientific Method) Ask a Question Do Background Research Construct a Hypothesis Test your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment Analyze your Data and Draw a Conclusion Report your Results

“STEM-ifying” FCS Problems (Engineering Approach) Identify Problem Brainstorm Design Build, Redesign, Test, and Evaluate Share Solution

All FCS Careers are All FCS Careers Based in …. are CONTENT KNOWLEDGE based in… Biology Economics (financial literacy) Chemistry (cooking/baking) Design Sociology Family & Consumer Sciences Business Nutrition Architecture (housing styles) Psychology (consumer decision making) Anthropology (family studies) Engineering (fashion/textiles) Communications & Media Microbiology Food Safety Ecology Physics

Technology Strong relationships ECOLOGY

STEM Career Connections

Integrated Content: • Kitchen Math • Food Chemistry • Reality Learning vs. Abstract Math Problems • Financial Literacy • Problem Solving and Synthesis • Interdisciplinary Content …and more!

Identifying STEM in Textiles & Apparel Biology: Animal fibers Botany: Plant fibers Physics: Functional clothing Physiology & Anatomy: Thermal regulation, garment motion studies, fitting • Chemistry: Synthetic fibers, textile treatment, laundry • •

• Manufacturing technology: knitting, cutting, sewing, pressing • Garment engineering: product design, fit, patterning • Industrial Engineering: sequence of operations, ergonomics • Geometry: drafting, grading, scale

Students Say…

Students Say… • “When I think about FACS, I feel that I am going to learn something that will help me for the rest of my life. ” • “The most important thing that I learned in FACS class, that I feel I will take with me and will help me the most, is learning about different careers, colleges, and degrees. ” • “The hands-on project work in FACS helped me to have confidence in my actions. ”

FCS is STEM Education