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. 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

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

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

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

11. 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)

12. Technology
Strong
relationships
ECOLOGY

13. STEM Career Connections

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

15. Students Say…

16. 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.”

17. FCS is STEM Education