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!