Author: Lora Stewart
Planning Unit: Gallatin County CES
Major Program: Family and Consumer Sciences 4-H Core Curriculum
Plan of Work: Family Consumer Science
Outcome: Initial Outcome
Why are so few women in science and engineering careers? According to The American Association of UniversityWoman (AAUW) there are still environmental and social barriers that continue to block women’s progress in these fields. AAUW’s research shows that emphasizing real-life applications in early STEM courses, encouraging girls to develop their spatial skills and helping girls recognize their career – relevant skills are proven strategies to encouraging girls to enter these fields. Style Engineers, a national 4-H program, was created to meet these needs. Style Engineers engages girls in STEAM concepts and emerging technologies through informal learning outside of school. Hands on, collaborative, and relative real –world activities are included. In Gallatin County, thirteen girls and two boys participated in this yearlong project club led by a master clothing volunteer, six adult volunteers and two teen leaders. They practiced their sewing skills by making pin cushions for their personal sewing kit, doll clothes, and pajama bottoms. After practicing their skills, they made their garment for the county fashion show, and county fair. Not only did they learn a new life skill, they were also engaged in the world of color and how it affects the clothing we wear. After a pre-posttest, there was an 80% increase on how to thread the sewing machine, name the parts of the machine, and identify the names of fabric and what they are used for. Four 4-H’ers asked for and received a sewing machine for Christmas because of this project club and two are making dolls clothes for the 4-H Means Business Club. Also as a result of this program, these 4-H members part, over forty dresses were made for the Dresses for Africa mission project and baby blankets for foster children in Gallatin County.
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