Fashion and Stem Education
When you hear the word fashion, science, math, or technology would not be the first to come to mind. However, fashion and STEM can come together to create something unique and wonderful.
At Colorado State University, there is a summer program for middle-school girls called Fashion FUNdamentals. The program takes something creative and appealing like the fashion industry and uses it to increase interest in STEM fields. This enrichment program held by the Department of Design & Merchandising program at CSU, helps girls gain knowledge of math and science, as well as self-efficacy. Mixing the creativity and freedom of fashion with important STEM concepts can help the girls expand their knowledge without them even realizing it. It gives them a chance to learn these concepts outside of the sometimes overwhelming and disciplined environment of the classroom.
Some courses the girls took during the program included social justice education, body image, nutrition, internet safety, and much more. These courses helped to foster positive self-esteem, academic improvements, and confidence, which is sometimes difficult to find as a middle schooler.
At the end of the program, the girls put on a fashion show of the garments they completed on their own. They were able to showcase these garments in front of their family and friends. After this program, the girls could associate STEM concepts with the excitement of fashion which will influence them to keep using STEM in their future endeavours.