Panel Title
Family and Consumer Sciences Professionals: A Long History of Involvement in Water Related Issues
Location
DIGS 221
Discussant
Jennifer Disney
Panel
Family and Consumer Sciences Professionals: A Long History of Involvement in Water Related Issues
Category
Family
Start Date
7-11-2015 3:30 PM
End Date
7-11-2015 4:30 PM
Description
From the beginning of the field of Family and Consumer Sciences (formerly Home Economics) water quality has been a topic of utmost importance. Ellen Swallow Richards, the founder of this field, was the first female student admitted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1871. One of Richards’ key research interests was investigating water quality. As a result of her twelve year study of Massachusetts’s waterways, the state was the first to propose water quality standards.
The Cooperative Extension Service in the United States was established through the Smith-Lever Act in 1914. The Extension system exists in all 50 states with the goal of bringing non-biased research based information to all citizens. Family and Consumer Sciences is one part of the Extension system. Following in the historical tradition of the study of water quality in this field, Extension personnel have developed water quality and water conservation programs that are being utilized throughout the country.
This presentation will include an overview of the historical study of water quality in the field of family and consumer sciences. This historical basis of the field will be linked to current practice. We will present an overview of Extension based water related programs in existence throughout the country. These programs include curricula for varying age groups, targeting diverse water quality and conservation topics. The programs include online and face to face options. We will compare and contrast the options available. We will also present information available related to the dissemination and effectiveness of the programs.
Family and Consumer Sciences Professionals: A Long History of Involvement in Water Related Issues
DIGS 221
From the beginning of the field of Family and Consumer Sciences (formerly Home Economics) water quality has been a topic of utmost importance. Ellen Swallow Richards, the founder of this field, was the first female student admitted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1871. One of Richards’ key research interests was investigating water quality. As a result of her twelve year study of Massachusetts’s waterways, the state was the first to propose water quality standards.
The Cooperative Extension Service in the United States was established through the Smith-Lever Act in 1914. The Extension system exists in all 50 states with the goal of bringing non-biased research based information to all citizens. Family and Consumer Sciences is one part of the Extension system. Following in the historical tradition of the study of water quality in this field, Extension personnel have developed water quality and water conservation programs that are being utilized throughout the country.
This presentation will include an overview of the historical study of water quality in the field of family and consumer sciences. This historical basis of the field will be linked to current practice. We will present an overview of Extension based water related programs in existence throughout the country. These programs include curricula for varying age groups, targeting diverse water quality and conservation topics. The programs include online and face to face options. We will compare and contrast the options available. We will also present information available related to the dissemination and effectiveness of the programs.