STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) careers have long been dominated by males.  According to Lee Martin (2015) the Maker Movement is a grass roots effort by artisans, teachers, and others who see the significance of adding sewing, woodworking, and electronics hobbies into STEAM classrooms.  By having students complete hands on projects in a class room setting, Martin believes learners will better understand how objects work therefore increasing their knowledge and background in the field of engineering.  While Martin says his main goal in the research he has done around this topic is to help engineering educators better understand the importance of “making” in the classroom setting, it is also a great place to start the conversation about the importance of textiles, sewing, and quilting in STEAM vocations and why there are so few women who choose to follow that career path.

 In order to address the issue of a lack of women in STEAM careers, this project was designed to engage and encourage young females in activities that incorporate and promote STEAM ideas and practices within a traditionally female activity of quilting.  A three day quilt camp was organized and offered for participants to learn more about STEAM.  During Quilt Camp, students completed a checkerboard quilt top and were given the checkers so that their quilt could be used as both a table topper, bed runner, and game board.  During the course of quilt camp, students from the 4-H sewing club were taught quilting through the STEAM lens.  Through this lens we see science in the fabrics.  Research in textiles has led to improvements in not only the quality of the fabric, but the richness and steadfastness of the dyes used in the coloring.  Science in fabrics has led to stain resistant fabrics and fabrics that can withstand the heat of a fire.  The latest technologies in fabrics have our quilts and clothes lighting up the runway.  With battery powered lighting for special effects, our clothing helps keep us out of danger when trick or treating.  When we sew clothing together or piece a quilt, we are essentially using engineering skills to make each of those pieces and parts move and work together as a cohesive unit.  Art can be seen in most aspects of quilting.  The colors and designs chosen in fabrics help to accentuate the patterns used in quilting.  Thread choice and manipulation are also an important part of the overall theme and look of the quilt and add to the artistic effect.  When quilting, math skills are used from the moment a pattern is chosen.  Fabrics must be measured and cut and seam allowances must be precise in order for all the parts of the quilt to work together perfectly.  Using this knowledge base participants received a great start in learning more about STEAM careers and were given a solid look at what jobs might be available if they chose to follow a STEAM pathway with their career.

 Participants were surveyed following the quilt camp and 100% of participants agreed they had a better understanding of STEAM and the many careers that were associated.  When asked why participants, as females, would be reluctant to join a STEAM career answers given indicated a fear of being rejected or having to work twice as hard to keep up because of the male dominance in STEAM careers.  Unanimously, participants wanted to participate in Quilt camp again in the summer of 2018 and wanted to learn more specifically about art design in quilts and about science technology in fabrics.