2. What is STEM?

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

4. Ellen Richards Founded Family & Consumer Sciences
Ellen Swallow Richards
FCS Pioneer
Ellen lived 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.

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 21st Century Skills Core subjects and 21st 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

10. 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

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

12. 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

13. 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
Math Skills
Food Production & Services
Apply principles of inventory management, labor cost and control, and facilities management to front and back of the house operations

14. STEM is FCS Following Detailed Directions Verbal Communication
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

15. STEM is FCS Science Skills Experience with Technology
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
Demonstrate design concepts with fabric or technology/computer using draping and/or flat pattern making technique

16. “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

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

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

19. Technology
Strong
relationships
ECOLOGY

20. STEM Career Connections

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

22. 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

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

24. Students Say…

25. 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.”

26. FCS is STEM Education