Power

I feel quite empowered today... it could be from my singular focus on STEAM and its relationship to everything that I teach.  

Today I had the honor of being present at the Board of Director's meeting for Tinius Olsen Testing Machines: my family's business that has been STEAMING along since 1880.  A business that has helped shape the consumer manufacturing business in all areas of life; from the strength of concrete, the strength of re-bar, to how thin plastics can get; we even make a machine to test the strength of a stuffed animal's eye?  As I participated in the meeting I could not help but note that when I am teaching life skills to my 8th grade class I am helping them learn how to make life choices that have been simultaneously affected by some great engineering ideas that came out of our companies products.  So much more is available to them to make wise decisions with than when G-GPop Olsen began the business.  The connection to FCS is Strong!  Wonder if we can manufacture a machine to test that strength!

Now back to the research paper - I was inspired during the meeting to finish up the few points - formatting the table of contents and writing the abstract. Having the opportunity to share my paper with my cousins, getting their feedback and support, gave me the push I needed to write what I thought would be difficult - an abstract that was concise.  It's great to have family support!  To paraphrase my cuz - The boardroom table seems to have become the new dining room table - a place of support!  The day certainly helped confirm to me the importance a family has on the development of productive citizens, and why Family & Consumer Science continues to be viable in our educational environment.  It certainly did not hurt when my cousins overwhelmingly supported my supposition of the connection of FACS to STEM... this is a STEM business, looking at all times for a workforce that can think creatively to solve the problems of tomorrow.

Spent about two hours working on the two.  I feel so much more comfortable with the aspects of Word that I was not familiar with.  Practice certainly helps as I worked to get it together during the week.  Thanks to Karl for helping me with changing the Header, and Carolyn for the pointers on Word..

Revisions may be needed, but I am sure I will manage those.

Power surge

As we come towards the end of this semester I feel I can finally start checking off all the commitments that I have made. 

NJEA presentations - check

FCCLA Fall leadership competition - check

Pre-assessments - check

Post-assessment - 1 down, 2 to go

Writing the paper - almost a check

This week I spent two hours writing my methods and procedures with minimal revisions.  I also spent two hours writing my reflection of the needs assessment.  I am feeling comfortable with my subject.

All that is left now is to: 

1. Finish the Literature review - goal is to have it done prior to Turkey day!

2.  Begin Cover page and table of contents.  This should be a challenge, isn't this why we hire editors?

I continue to advocate for FCS as a piece of STEM/STEAM education.  By taking an administrator to the FCCLA Fall Conference I was able to show her what FCS really encompasses.  Her eyes were opened and I think that there can only be positive results, time will tell. 

The success the students experienced as they brought home gold medals from competition gives me joy and thanks!

Change takes time, but STEAM, like water can change the geography of our environment.

Blocked.. Clogged and somewhat congested

This week seems to be moving quickly without my full participation. It seems that since our week off for the convention I have been moving in one speed ... slow and somewhat stumped.  The work just keeps on coming; marking period ends, grades need to be entered, DC trip needs to be chaperoned, and next thing you know it is FCCLA Fall Leadership Conference and Competition.  So in the middle of coming back from DC completely congested and feeling very much sub-par I need to motivate 30 some students to complete a variety of competition projects. Banners, Lamps, Child Care Projects, Cupcakes and Display units and dresses are all needed to be completed and perfected.

 It is exciting to see the enthusiasm these students have, and they don't seem too concerned that they will need to be at school by 6 AM on a Monday Morning.  When I get frustrated I remind myself that this is why we do the job.  Watching them work as teams to create within the guidelines given shows how they understand the concept of engineering.  Tonight they gave me the list of resources needed to make the cupcake display - PVC pipe, Electric Drill, Duct Tape, L-brackets, foam board - They have the idea and the plan; hopefully it will work when it comes together!  I have a huge smile on my face because I see the connection directly to my STEAM initiative within a FCS curriculum.

As for my project; I wish I was moving as quickly.  The four hours of writing Chapter four seemed to go smoothly.  I still get all confused with the APA guidelines and I am grateful for Amy's gentle nudging on the comments. I certainly hope I finally get it under control by the time the paper is completed.  It really does not surprise me that I have difficulty with the guidelines - I never was one to follow the rules!
I am trying to wrap my head around the Methods and Procedure Plan (chapter 3).  As I outline it I am concerned it is too large to be completed in a 45 day cycle.  I need to focus on the use of technology and am going to be working hard to create methods of flipped learning experiences that will enable students to be hands-on in a project based environment.  Hopefully my ideas can transfer onto paper.  This may become the one time I need an extension.

Full STEAM ahead...

As I think about moving Full STEAM ahead I am immediately drawn to ships.  This may be due to reading my Great-Great Grandmothers' letters from ships while she traveled from the US to Europe, or is it because my cousin is currently volunteering on crew with the world's largest floating book fair currently docked in the UAE.

  

This led me to the "Ship the Changed the World" the SS Great Britain - the ship that is considered the first great Ocean Liner.  Steam power bringing people from one side of the world to the other, making our world a little bit smaller, with just a little less risk, in a little less time.  Enjoy a view into the world of getting ready to sail under "Steam Power".

STEAM has been powering the world since the 1800's - harnessing it into the world of Family & Consumer Science has been my goal with this research project.  I think of how life has evolved for all us as technology has changed our lives in so many ways using science, engineering, art (design) and mathematics.  Without the integration of all of these disciplines, our possibilities of travel, communication, relaxation, creation and economy would be limited.  We can learn so much through the study of the integration of these disciplines.  Even now, I learn about a ship I had heard of only fleetingly - and I can even play a game -

FULL STEAM AHEAD

Where else can I learn how to build a ship?  I hope it floats!

RESEARCH PROJECT

This past week was spent with little writing, but lots of ideas and implementation.  Last week was a week off of teaching as I attending the NJEA Teacher Convention in Atlantic City.  I had the opportunity to present 3 workshops; two in High Tech Hall and the third in a PD classroom.  I enjoyed presenting a workshop - 

To Market, To Market - a project based learning workshop focused on the creative energy and methods offered through Synectics.  Having teachers help students develop their creative skills while "thinking outside the box" is a start towards the entrepreneurial mindset that current Fortune 500 CEO's are looking for.

I continue to work on revising my Literature Review - as I continue to reach out to other FCS professionals, I am coming in contact with others that are also trying to link CTE, FCS to the STEM and STEAM initiatives.  Others seem to be focusing on the relationship the teachers have with integrating and incorporating STEM/STEAM initiatives.  I seem to be a lone soul looking at it from the students learning.

Before leaving for break I had the opportunity to administer the first post-assessment - FACS to STEAM with my first group of students.  I have not yet pulled the analysis, but that should be completed shortly. As I returned to school this week, I have administered the Pre-Assessment for the second marking period students.  I continue to gather data, which is being collated and evaluated.

I have spent approximately 4 hours writing the Methods and Procedures.  I am concerned that I do not have multiple assessments, but due to the short time period I have with the students, I am concerned that I will be too focused on gathering information while not having ample time for instructional intervention.

So like my ship building experience in the game, I am sure I will be able to build a "ship" (project) that floats.

Needed: STEAMing cafe

          Week in Review

This week saw the paper coming together.  After completing the Literature Review, I spent several hours working on the learner context and the Goals and Objectives.  Just like in IDD, I seem to have a problem recognizing the differences of the goals and objectives.  Hopefully after the re-write I have it down.

The result of the pre-assessment measured how students recognized the relationship between FCS and STEAM education.  The assessment showed that students understood the relationship between FCS and mathematics, but that they had a harder time identifying how science and engineering related to FCS.

This week was certainly one steeped in coffee consumption.  On top of all the elements of the paper coming together, the marking period ended, SGO post assessments were given and I needed to administer the first of the post assessments for the capstone project.  Just keep the coffee coming, I can get through all this work.

As to the hours I have spent - I have lost track.  So much of what I am doing for my capstone are related to the workshops I am presenting, I just keep working.  I even seem to find new literature to review ... It seems that there is even a study that has linked to The process of creating crafts to the increase of patent awards.  This study has just been published through the University of Michigan.  A Young Picasso or Beethoven  could be the next Edison. I am sure there is a way I can use this in my paper - it confirms what I have always believed.

Currently being brought before the House of Representatives is a bill that would add Art to STEM education for STEAM,  There needs to be more signatures, so if you are so inclined, help those of us who really see the interdisciplinary links between STEM and the Arts get it focused in our educational goals.
STEM to STEAM Petition

So now I think I need a cup of coffee... maybe I'll get a chance to relax with one this week as I put together my NJEA convention presentations.

I Think I can... I Think I can...

Week six finds me quoting one of my favorite childrens' book over and over.  I think I can,  I think I can,  I think I can,  I think I can... I KNOW I CAN!

I had concerns Monday evening as I went to class.  I had not completed the literature review, even though eleven pages were written.  I seemed as though it just got longer and longer.  I was concerned that there was too much being stated.  Luckily Amy kept me calm, and after a few more hours (4) I had the paper competed and submitted, making it just before due time.  

After completion I did take a day off from the project, I needed to regroup so I did so by creating - pulling out some knitting projects.

This week I worked on Learner/Context Analysis.  This was so much easier for me to complete as I believe I do truly know my students.  As I move forward analyzing the needs assessment, I will also be administering my post assessment for the first group of students as the marking period is ending.  This cycle has moved so quickly.  I am looking forward to seeing if my students truly will be able to make the connections to STEAM/STEM concepts in Family and Consumer Science.

STEAMING Through...

This week has been one of frustration... you know those weeks when you feel like you are going to burst!

I have spent the week reading, finding links from one paper to the next, communicating digitally and I feel like I am over thinking this entire chapter of literature review.

It's frustrating when the idea seems so obvious, yet nobody has seemed to focus on it.  How will I ever make this idea come together?

Recap:  Spent about two hours every night reading anything that could possibly relate to FCS and STEM/STEAM education.  Search terms: FCS, Family and Consumer Science, Home Economics, STEM, STEAM, SMET, Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Technology; all in a variety of combinations.  Still seem to get the same results.

Saturday and Sunday found me sitting at my computer typing, writing, editing and trying to figure out APA.  Who thought the highlight of the weekend would be hemming pants, just for a break!  Of course, that's using STEM skills - technology, Engineering and math - measuring, planning, etc.

Searching with Educational Research Complete, EIRC, Google Scholar, etc, etc.  I have lots of research, but none directly.

What I know:  FCS and STEM are connected and they are directly related to 21st century skills.  Hopefully I can pull it together in some sort of order.

STEAMed up

                       STEAMed up this week.

Up in the clouds somewhere...

This week was one of lots of ups and downs.

RESEARCH:  I have spent about 10 hours searching the library databases - particularly Education Research Complete for any research that pertains to Family & Consumer Science and its connection to STEM educational initiatives.  The good news is there are a few articles written, but none seem to have research as to the level of student learning.  I follow the leads that I can find.  I have searched into each separate discipline of science, technology, engineering and mathematics and the connections to FCS also.  The good news is that most that is found is based upon the educational strategy of Project Based Learning.  I have the articles, have scanned the articles, and now am in the process of organizing, editing, and analyzing them as to the needs of my paper.  Writing will happen sometime... I hope.

Saturday Morning I spent on an American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences webinar concerning FCS and STEM - the relationship they have.  The good news is the presenters are like minded with me, so they have opened up as a resource.  They do not have the hard facts as to the student needs - so they were interested in the ideas I have.  I have been linked with them on LinkedUP for awhile now, and hope to have a sounding board from my industry as the project comes along.

NEEDS ASSESSMENTS:  I spent all day Sunday evaluating the results of the Needs Assessments my classes took the first week of school.  Of course, I forgot to create separate surveys for each class - so the results sorted as a whole.  After an hour of trying to configure results through GoogleForms, I decided to do it the old fashioned way.  It took a day, but I got the results.  The results did not surprise me at all.

Additional Research:  Since I have become so fond of MOOC's, I found one I could not turn down through EdX - Science and Cooking by Harvard.

This one allows me to work at my own pace, doing what I want, when I want.  How fun to learn scientific principles by Harvard professors.  Should be interesting as I see how they translate the preparation of food.

I'm beginning to want some steamed dumplings!

STEAM Cleaning

STE(A)M Cleaning

This week was spent with quite a few hours at the laptop.
I needed to clean up my files so that I can be sure to submit things in a proper manner.

• Research articles to review - sorted in a folder.
• Submitted assignments - sorted in a folder.
• Bookmarks - created!

Now that the files are organized I feel that I can proceed ... obviously with caution, as I don't want to get scalded!

My research this week focused on each of the disciplines that are represented by the acronym STE(A)M education.  This consisted of approximately 6 hours of searching.  Depending upon the association publication - there are a variety of methods which STE(A)M education can be implemented.  Science and Math seem to be the driving force; as those elements become the language of implementation into the fields of Technology and Engineering.  Arts become important as the Visual Literacy of the product becomes the driving force to the acceptance.

Much of the research is focused on teacher attitude and instructional strategies.  I have yet to find collaborating evidence that "learning" has improved from student results.

I had the opportunity to Skype with my international learning partner from Down Under . Jay Deagan, a doctoral candidate in Home Economics education.  She helped me identify some resources that could be helpful in my research, and spent quite a bit of time just brainstorming ways to get Home Ec (Australia) and FCS (US) into the view of the mainstream public.  Her suggestion:  Publish, Publish, Publish.
              * Thanks Amy for pushing me to find the global connections as year or so ago!

I did come across the National Academies Press which has quite a few resources that can guide me on the way to the integration of STE(A)M disciplines into FCS.  It was interesting that when I went to search on Friday evening that the site was not active due to the Gov't shut-down - just wondering... are there little people doing the search?  Seems to be up and running this morning.  

My Needs Assessments have been completed, and now I am compiling the results. From my observational checklist I found the AHA moment of the week.

As a student was deciding what to make in the way of a sewn toy - I had shown a video of lots of different completed projects, as well as some sewn items currently on sale through Etsy.  He saw a plate of stuffed fruit models - he decided that he would make a watermelon slice.  He had no pattern so he created one - using his observational

 skills, he determined the basic shape (half circle) with a oval base.  He realized by figuring the circumference of the circle he could determine the length of the oval that would become the rind of the watermelon.  Currently a work in progress - but I was thrilled that he realized a reason to use those geometric equations he had to learn in math.

The Goal!

I continue my review of my chosen research article.  After reading it through about 6 times, I am beginning to get the feel of the research and its usefulness for my paper and project.  There is certainly quite a bit of reading to do - I really do need to find a way to stream line it as I believe I may be running out of that precious resource of time!

STEAM = HEAT

  STEAM = HEAT

Research: Week Two

So this week I have done what seems like quite a bit of work, with little reward.

The first few responses from Amy requested lots of citations.  I have found lots of information written about STE(A)M and STEM education - lots of opinion about the lack of competitiveness in the global marketplace, but where is the research?

I'm searching for statistics... the reduction of elective courses (specifically FCS) within the Middle School level.  Where are those numbers substantiated?  Hopefully the American Association of Family & Consumer Science will have those numbers.  If not, I will have my research cut out for me.

Searching for the above: 4 hours

Searching SUMMONS for STEM and STE(A)M resources: 3 hours

APA style - I really need to pay more attention to the book.  Just wondering why I can't make APA the setting for my word document with self-correct?  It would make this so much less cumbersome.

I had an "AH-HA" moment. (where is that KOOSH BALL?) I realized how closely related the PACED decision making process used for Financial Literacy is to the Engineering Design Process - This can be incorporated as I teach decision making in all areas; a basic skill that becomes the centerpiece of the engineering and FCS design process.

The other "AH HA" moment came while covering a Science Class today - I had the opportunity to watch Bill Nye, the Science Guy as he explained heat.  He should have been teaching my course - we experienced cooking, burning, fabrics & clothing, exercise and home heating & cooling systems.  If our students are in a science class that covers this, why doesn't it transfer to my class?

So as I continue down the road on this quest to tie FCS into STE(A)M I have on my punch list:

          1.  Create a rubric that will measure student knowledge of STE(A)M through class comments.

          2.  Create a letter to parents about the research process and student involvement.

          3.  Keep Reference File up to date and in APA format.

          4.  Post Needs Assessment tools.

My reflections on the week - 

There is a tremendous lack of Family & Consumer Science educational research!  This will be a project that will require me to look outside of my field, relate the studies and theories to the real life practice of Family & Consumer Science.  I guess I need to do what I expect my students to do... make the practical transfer of knowledge to create personal success.

The beginning of research

As I move into the final part of this MAIT journey I believe that I actually might be able to create a project that could have some impact on how my discipline is perceived in the educational landscape.  It is my hope that I will not just be letting off steam.

After meeting with Amy in August (I know... just don't comment!) I feel I had a handle on the process of generating some concrete statistics as to the knowledge 8th grade students have of the relationship of Family & Consumer Education with STE(A)M initiatives.  Since I do teach in a quarterly format, it is important to get information early on.  I will be using my 4 quarterly classes, for the first three quarters to analyze learning. Two classes each quarter will be control groups, while the other two will have curriculum adjustments focused on the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.

I am looking forward to what I learn, hopefully it will be useful to Family & Consumer Science educators.