Burst of Steam

Since my last posting I have had a burst of steam ...

 a burst to get me moving to finish up lots of things that will lead me to success.

The unexpected (or maybe UNWANTED) snow storm on St. Patrick's day led to a day off from school.  Of course, I had chosen not to listen to the weather forecast, so I did not bring home school work to complete in case of a day off.  So much time to use... What should I do?

I chose to use the time to complete Chapter 5, the final chapter of my Capstone project.  Amy promised I would enjoy writing the chapter.  I will not go as far as to say I "enjoyed" the writing, but having the opportunity to use an unexpected day off for the completion of the paper certainly took some of the stress off me.  After submitting the paper, I now just have some tweeking of the abstract and some editing of my favorite - APA style.

One of the best parts of getting this project done was that I could use it as an example for my FCCLA students who spent last weekend scrambling to get their projects completed for the Spring Leadership Conference.  I don't know how they did it, but all projects were completed, made it to conference and they were presented in professional manner.  Our students did well, with five students qualifying for National Competition this summer in San Antonio.  I am so proud of them, and I know that I will be able to help them edit and tweek their projects for national competition.  

They Powered Up with FCCLA so they can SOAR to nationals!

Will... to complete

“There is a force more powerful than steam and electricity: the will.” 

― Fernán Caballero

This week was an interesting one.  I realized on Friday morning that I was a week ahead of myself, but never really completed my submission of the intervention.  Thanks Julie for being there for my one and only melt down this semester!  I think the stress of the project, getting to know new students, and having a husband at home recuperating from surgery pushed me to the point where STEAM was literally coming out my ears.  My goal to work entirely on the Capstone project for the weekend was derailed again when daughter #2 appeared on my door step with dog and suitcase in hand.  Time for family!

 I have completed my intervention, in fact I've been using it for the first two marking periods, and continue to use it this marking period.  When I look at the intervention, I realize that the tweeking I did to the curriculum has made the course more manageable for both my students and myself.  I am pleased with the Google site and the students this marking period seem pleased to have a place to go for additional help with their projects.  I can say that so far (2 days into the toy project) that the creativity and enthusiasm for creating is very high. During class they are going to the site and reviewing videos as needed; which is freeing up time for the entire class to move at their own pace, without being burdened by in class demonstrations that they do not need.  The test will be if they have gone onto the site during the snow day.  Lots of projects went home over the weekend so Tuesday will be telling.

I think having this extra day to shovel snow and reflect on the journey I am taking is helping get me back on track.  So I will STEAM ahead, work on the numbers and get to my destination on time!

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Keeping it going...physically and mentally

This long drawn out winter has certainly taken its toll of me mentally and physically.  Trying to keep focused on school and family has been tough; but with enough tea and steam I am getting through it all.

One of the great issues during the winter is the lack of Vitamin D
 - not enough sunshine to keep us up to speed.

So when the sun shines - get outside and enjoy!
I sure did enjoy the past weekend, but as I write this can you believe they are saying more snow...

Give me some tea; steaming with some Lemon Balm or Lemon Grass - sure to keep my spirits up!

If you are looking for some great holistic remedies to help fight this seasonal depression that seems to affect so many of us, check out this blog.

So my FACS to STEAM research and paper are coming along.

I have added additional tabs to my GoogleSite for Skills for Life.  By consolidating my curriculum I am beginning to feel quite accomplished... Now does anybody have any hints for getting students to view and practice?

I am pulling together all the data for the two marking periods of students who have done pre and post assessments concerning STEAM education and Family & Consumer Science.  I can definitely see how students perceive the class; but it is not so clear that a 48 day class is enough time for students to make the connection as to the relationship of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics within Family & Consumer Science.  I think there may need to be some studies that take a longer range course, and maybe follow some of these students as they take more FACS courses through High School.

Another issue might be:  We silo other subjects, with the connections not very clear, that when we do connect the content there is resistance.  It may be perceived as forced connections.  Is this why so many times I hear; "But this isn't math class?  Why are we experimenting?  But this is cooking, not Science?"
So much to ponder...

I think I will get some STEAMING Tea, put my feet up and...

STEAMED and Delicious!

Since this past weekend ended the Lunar New Year, I celebrated with Chinese.

Steaming is a centuries old method of cooking, that integrates water and heat to cook food to perfection.  The use of bamboo to create a steamer is an ingenious way to utilize the plentiful natural resource of bamboo.  Ask anyone who has planted a stand of bamboo how quickly it grows and takes over.  Technology that still works perfectly today!

How does this possibly relate to my capstone project?

This week I worked diligently to pull the intervention elements of my curriculum into one easy to navigate site.  I choose using a Google site as we are becoming a very Google centric school; offering an easy way for my class to share the information.  There will be a link to this site on my teacher webpage.

The basics; like the method of cooking demonstrated above, are focused on the elements of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) within the field of Family & Consumer Science.  Using some very basic tools, I feel that I can introduce the students to the connection their core subjects have to life.  The basic site offers the opportunity to add more content; as it becomes more relevant to the curriculum and the needs of the students.

A benefit of this site; it is very much like the steamer, it can be multi-layered, offering lots of product in one very easy to handle container.  As I completed the site, I immediately thought of additional tabs and pages that could be added, increasing the amount of material available to the students.

I must say, I have managed to get out of my fog of the previous week, and am moving forward towards a delicious end product.

It's a New Year!

  

On January 31 millions of people around the world will be celebrating the Lunar New Year - the year of the Horse.  Since my new year on January 1 started out like a blur, I think I will take a "do over" and begin the new year this weekend.

My first start of the New Year began with a resolution to limit my "sarcasm" - needless to say it was a true, unmitigated failure!  Maybe it lasted 24 hours! Sad, but True :(

So my new, New Years Resolution is to complete this Capstone project with a positive attitude, believing that my students truly get the intersections of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics within the curriculum of Family and Consumer Science.

It has been a difficult marking period, with many breaks in learning as snow days, half days and holidays have broken up any real flow.  A few more days, and a formative evaluation will show me if my students truly grasped the concepts.  I must say their sewing projects were well designed; most figured out the relationship of engineering, planning and the process.  So tomorrow we begin the evaluation - I know they will show their understanding (this is not sarcasm!)  Thursday we will create our New Years meal - Fried Rice; a blending of Asian - American Cuisine.

So speaking of Fried Rice - FCCLA is selling Seasoned Rice Packets to benefit Share Our Strength:No Child Hungry campaign.  $5 donation and you to can make Fried Rice with my "famous" recipe.  I deliver to my followers as Southern Regional and South Jersey.

This is a shameless plug!

Happy New Year - The Year of the Horse!  
Let the work begin... or at least continue.

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.

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.