Reinforcing STEM Education through
the Home Economics Curriculum
Family and Consumer Studies Conference 2015
Presented by: Wayne Wesley, Ph.D.
Executive Director, HEART Trust/NTA
2
THE CONTEXT
Research &
Development
Investment and Funding
Economic Growth
(Vision 2030)
Technological Innovation
Education and Training
3
Sustainable Development
Environmental
Social
Cultural
Economic
Is Home Economics Still Relevant?
Home Economics has attained the reputation of being
a relic, a gender-stereotyped course meant to confine
women to domestic roles.
Some school systems have managed to breathe new
life into the course by adopting the new name “Family
and Consumer Science" to reflect the fact that the
field covers aspects outside of home life and wellness
Is Home Economics Still Relevant?
The field is also known by other names, including
Human Sciences, Home Science, Domestic
Economy and Human Ecology.
The field represents disciplines including:
consumer science, nutrition, food preparation,
parenting, early childhood education, family
economics and resource management, human
development, interior design, textiles, apparel design,
as well as other related subjects.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SPECTRUM
Technology
Age –
Knowledge
Age – Capitalize
Industrial
Age – Mass
Production
on information to
create competitive
advantage:
Knowing what is
available where
and when
Innovation
Age –
Optimization and
Sustainability
Making
mundane and
complex tasks
simple; Doing
more with Less
Agricultural Age –
Heavy Manual Labour
Through STEM ,Home Economics can
maintain its relevance
International Trends in STEM Education
• STEM fields are important for economic growth and
innovation
• There is increasing demand for qualified STEM
workers
• STEM professionals are in charge of solving the
complex problems of today’s world and its future
Refer to: ICEF Monitor @ http://monitor.icef.com/2014/03/global-demand-for-stem-training-a-growing-factor-inoverall-enrolment-trends/
What is STEM
• Integration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math,
removal of silos
• Teaching concepts in project-based learning experiences
• Promotion of careers using an integrated approach
• Development of soft skills and technical skills
What is STEM
Interdisciplinary approach –
1. Integration based on real-world applications
2. ensures students understand the connection
to the real world
3. Avoids separate and discrete subjects
STEM Skills
Science skills
Mathematics
skills
Attention to
detail
Technical skills
Communication
and cooperation
skills
Teamwork
Creativity and
problem solving
Organization
and time
management
Analytical skills
Retrieved from the Website of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities 2015
Interdisciplinary
Biology &
Microbiology
Physics
Architecture
Psychology
Home
Economics
Engineering
Chemistry
Ecology
Economics
Nutrition
Attributes
STEM
Home Economics
• Integrated Approach
• Integrated Approach
• Incorporate different
• Incorporate different
subjects across an existing
curriculum
subjects across an existing
curriculum
• Inquiry based learning
• Inquiry based learning
• Defined outcomes
• Defined outcomes
• Research based teaching
• Research based teaching
Reinforcing STEM in the Home
Economics Curriculum
What is required:
Capacity building for our Lecturers
Integrating STEM in the Home Economics Curricula
Integrating STEM in delivery
Working with students to develop STEM integrated projects
STEM is Home
Economics
Clothing & Textile
Scientific and
engineering
practices
required in the
development of
clothing
includes asking
questions
(science) and
defining
problems
(engineering)
Other skills include:
1. Developing and using models
2. Planning and carrying out
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
investigations
Analysing and interpreting data
Using mathematical and
computational thinking’
Constructing explanations
Designing solutions
Obtaining, evaluating and
communicating information
Integrating STEM – Clothing & Textile
Teaching STEM concepts in Clothing and Textile
Fabric Selection
Garment Manufacturing
 Using science, students compare
natural and synthetic fibres,
 This involves cutting, sewing and
finishing where students use
technology concepts systems and
operations.
 Identify compare and analyse the
observable performance
characteristics of each fibre,
 Record information and draw
conclusions about which fibres are
best for specific end users.
 The sewing machine, serge and
other computer-aided design and
systems are used.
 Clothing is constructed using basic
geometric shapes and angles.
Adapted from - Journal of Family and Sciences Education, Fall/Winter 2012
Integrating STEM – Clothing & Textile
Teaching STEM concepts in Clothing and Textile
Garment Fitting
1. Clothing is constructed to fit the 3-D form of the human body.
2. The measurement of the consumer has to be considered.
3. Algebraic, spatial and logical reasoning is used to solve
measurement problems.
4. Students must purchase fabric based on the pattern, size and the
measurement of the customer.
Adapted from - Journal of Family and Sciences Education, Fall/Winter 2012
Integrating STEM – Clothing & Textile
Teaching STEM concepts in Clothing and Textile
Garment Care:
Garment Recycling:
 Requires students to care for
textiles.
 Students use principles of design to
recreate clothing and textile into
new products.
 Students should be able to use
Science to analyse chemicals and
their impact on specific fibres.
 When removing stains students
should be able to describe and
explain chemical reactions.
 They are challenged to be
innovative, creative, experiment
and problem solve.
 Measurement and shape are also
critical in this process.
Adapted from - Journal of Family and Sciences Education, Fall/Winter 2012
Identifying STEM in Clothing and Textile
Biology – Animal Fibres
Botany – Plant Fibres
Physics – Functional Clothing
Physiology and Anatomy – Thermal regulation garment
Chemistry- Synthetic fibres, textile treatment, laundry
Identifying STEM in Clothing and Textile
Manufacturing Technology – Knitting, cutting, sewing
Garment Engineering – Product design, fit, patterning
Industrial Engineering – Ergonomics
Mathematics– Measurement, geometry
Other Examples of Practical Applications
of STEM
Creative
Problem
Solving
Math Skills
Consumer and
Family Resources
Food Production
Efficient
management of
individual and
family resources
Apply principles of
inventory
management, portion
control, cost control,
and costing
Other Examples of Practical Applications
of STEM
Science
Skills
Technology
Skills
Food and Nutrition
Textile, Apparel and
Fashion
Acquire, handle and use
foods to meet the
nutrition and wellness
needs of individuals of
varying ages
Demonstrate design
concepts with fabric or
technology
Apply STEM to Home Economics
Problems (Scientific Method)
Ask a
Question
Do
Background
Research
Construct
Hypothesis
Report on your
Result
Analyse your
Data and Draw
Conclusion
Test your
Hypothesis
Apply STEM to Home Economics
Problems (Engineering Approach)
Identify Problem
Brainstorm
Design
Build, Redesign, Test, Evaluate
Share Solution
Infusing STEM into the Home Economics Curriculum
STEM Lessons:
1
Focus on real world lessons and problems
Are guided by the engineering design process
2
5
6
3
Immerse students in hands-on inquiry and open ended
exploration
4
Involve students in productive teamwork
Integrate content from Math and Science courses
Allows for failures as a positive step on the path to discovering and
designing solutions
Home Economics like STEM is an integrated and practical
science, focussing on family and life.
Home Economics is a demonstration of STEM in action!
END OF
PRESENTATION
Thanks for your attention