Family & Consumer Science
The Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS or FACS) is the comprehensive body of skills, research, and knowledge that helps people make informed decisions about their well being, relationships and resources to achieve optimal quality of life. In FCS or FACS classes, students will develop skills, knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors that are needed for creative and critical thinking, character development, interpersonal communication, practical knowledge and career preparation.
The Family and Consumer Sciences Department offers electives for students to explore interests and potential careers in the areas of financial literacy, child and human development, culinary arts, fashion, interior design, and sewing. Psychology of Childhood and Exploring Childhood courses offer credit through concurrent enrollment with Pine Technical and Community College.
Courses Shown Below
Click title to see course description and prerequisites
CulinaryCultures and Cuisine (9-12) |
DesignFashion Marketing & Design (10-12) |
Education & Human ServicesFamily Dynamics (9-12) |
FinanceFinancial Skills for Life (11-12) |
TextileSewing Basics (9-12) |
Sewing Basics Course: 2500 Grade: 9-12
Do you want to sew your own fashion forward clothes? In Sewing Basics students will develop and refine sewing skills while creating easy-to-sew garments. Projects including lounge pants, tote bags and mittens will introduce students to beginning sewing skills such as pattern fitting, technical sewing terminology and construction techniques. Note: Students must earn a “C” or higher in this course in order to register for Advanced Sewing Techniques.
Fashion Marketing and Design Course: 2505 Grade: 10-12
This course focuses on the history and traditions of the global fashion industry - from haute couture design to budget priced mass market apparel. Students will develop an understanding of selling tools such as textile basics, fashion terminology, and apply the elements and principles of design to clothing, and color trends that increase sales and profitability at retail. Students will also explore the psychological and sociological factors that influence consumer behavior and guide contemporary marketing strategies at the retail level.
Quilting Connections Course: 2506 Grade: 10-12 (Not offered in the 22-23 school year)
This course will introduce students to the creative process of quilting. Students will learn techniques of fabric color and pattern coordination, quilt designing, rotary cutting, and quilt assembly on the sewing machine. Contemporary designs and sewing methods will be introduced. Students will make sample quilt blocks, a machine quilted sampler and a final project of their choice. The class will make a quilt to donate to a local family service organization. This class is open to all grades and sewing abilities. Note: Students must earn a “C” or higher in this course in order to register for Advanced Sewing Techniques.
Advanced Sewing Techniques (Not offered in the 22-23 school year) Course: 2510 Grade: 10-12
Prerequisite: “C” or higher in Sewing Basics or Quilting Connections or instructor approval.
Advanced Sewing Techniques will continue the development of sewing skills through creation of garment or quilting projects. Students will utilize knowledge and skills they have previously developed to select or design projects. Advanced techniques will be mastered to construct and evaluate projects. Textile careers will be identified and analyzed.
Food Choices Course: 2600 Grade: 9-12
DID SOMEONE SAY FOOD? Learn how food plays a role in overall health and nutrition, particularly for teenagers. Students will learn to find their way around the kitchen, and develop basic food preparation skills to produce healthy, delicious meals and snacks. Students will analyze their eating habits using nutrition software and provide a meal for classmates and guests.
Culinary Science (formerly Teen Chef) (Not offered in the 22-23 school year) Course: 2601 Grade: 9-12
What makes popcorn pop? Why does bread rise? Ever wonder what all of those ingredients are in your food and what they do? Students will examine why foods change when heated, frozen, or mixed together by preparing a variety of recipes within the major food groups.
Cultures & Cuisine Course: 2605 Grade: 9-12
Explore different cultures around the world, and learn their food customs first-hand by preparing them! Discover the different cultures of food, including historical, familial, ethnic, regional and more. Build on basic cooking skills and explore the role that food plays around the world. Students will prepare and taste a wide variety of foods. Must be open to trying new foods.
Introduction to Culinary Arts A/B
Course: 2614/2615
Grade: 10-12
This course runs for two consecutive terms. Students must register for both Introduction to Culinary Arts A and B.
This is a course developed by the National Restaurant Association as an industry-based course that prepares students for careers in the restaurant or hospitality and lodging fields. Students gain valuable industry skills through their academic and possible workplace experiences. The course combines culinary essentials and food service management skills. Students are given a head start toward exciting and rewarding hospitality careers. *Students who successfully complete this course may have the opportunity to earn the National Restaurant Association Certification: ServSafe.
Advanced Culinary Arts A/B Course: 2616/2617 Grade: 11-12
Prerequisite: “C” or higher in Intro to Culinary Arts A & B
This course runs for two consecutive terms. Students must register for both Advanced Culinary Arts A and B.
This course will aid in continued development of skills for the restaurant, hospitality and lodging industry. Students will have the opportunity to participate in work experience within the industry. Students will refine their culinary skills in this advanced course. Students will develop menus for managing marketing and sales procedures in relation to the food industry. *Students who successfully complete this course may have the opportunity to earn the National Restaurant Association Certification: Prostart.
Interior Space & Design Course: 2700 Grade: 10-12
This course teaches students how to read and draw floor plans, create room arrangements, coordinate color and design of furniture, window, wall and floor treatments, and plan individualized living spaces while utilizing the principles of design. The final project brings all the learning together when students design their own apartment, calculate the cost of furnishings, and create a long-term plan for decorating.
Financial Skills for Life (Formerly Independent Living) Course: 2706 Grade: 11-12
This course will furnish students with financial skills needed for personal resource management now and in the future. The course addresses a wide range of topics including: goal setting and planning for major purchases, banking, checking, savings, handling credit, purchasing insurance, making housing and rental payments, paying bills, budgeting, preparing personal income tax statements, preventing common consumer complaints, and selecting investment options. An ongoing online banking simulation game is played throughout the course.
Psychology of Childhood Course: 2800 Grade: 10-12
This course offers the unique experience of learning about children by working with them. Students operate a playschool program for 3, 4 and 5 year olds. The students have the responsibility of planning and teaching the children in the playschool. Prior to teaching preschool, students explore the areas of physical, intellectual, social, and emotional development. In addition, students learn how to write and practice teaching lessons. This course is a prerequisite to Exploring Childhood A & B, in which college credit may be available. Check with a FACS instructor for details. Note: Students must earn a “B-” or higher in this course in order to register for Exploring Childhood A & B. Successful completion of this course, along with completion of Exploring Childhood A and B may enable students to earn 3 semester credits from Pine Technical and Community College. (CDEV 1210 Child Growth and Development)
Family Dynamics Course: 2805 Grade: 9-12
Examine the family, including how it functions and how it has changed over time. Determine what it means to be in a family, how and why families change, and what is needed to make a family work. Explore families in other cultures, and the role society and community play in family life. Learn how the family interacts within a community, and how the community affects the family.
Exploring Education A/B (formerly Exploring Childhood) Course: 2813/2814 Grade: 11-12
Prerequisite: B- or higher in Psychology of Childhood. PTCC requires students to meet one of the following assessments: ACT of 22 or higher, MCA reading score of 1047 or Accuplacer scores of 250+ in reading/arithmetic. Seniors must be in the top 1/2 of their graduating class and a GPA of at least 2.5. Juniors in the top 1/3 of their graduating class and a GPA of at least 3.0.
This course runs for two consecutive terms. Students must register for both Exploring Education A and B.
This course is recommended for students considering careers involving children (counselor, social worker, teacher, pediatric medical or dental careers, child care and/or nursery school instructor, head start teacher, parent). Students work at the elementary schools with teachers and children. Senior high helpers will assist children with schoolwork, art activities, plays and remediation and enrichment, and may help teachers with special projects. Learning logs, observations, and small teaching projects give students the opportunity to see the growth and progress in children and themselves. Students receive ample opportunity to assess and evaluate children during their service at the elementary schools. Successful completion of this course, along with completion of Psychology of Childhood may enable students to earn 3 semester credits from Pine Technical and Community College. (CDEV 1210 Child Growth and Development)
