Tuesday, November 26, 2013

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.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

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.


Wednesday, November 13, 2013

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 -
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.






Monday, November 4, 2013

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.