Family & Consumer Science

0814-Exploring Childhood
1 credit

Grades 11, 12

This year-long course explores the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional growth of children from prenatal stages through age twelve. Topics include the evolution of the family unit, historical and modern childhoods, influential child development theorists, and each stage of development. Students will participate in field site visits to a local elementary school, providing hands-on experience and observation. By the end of this course, students will be better equipped to support and guide children whether as a family member, future childcare professional, or in other child-focused roles. A class trip to Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth, NH, will offer additional historical context to the study of childhood.

0815- Food Science (previously Introduction to Foods & Nutrition)
.5 credit

Grades 10, 11, 12

This semester-long course explores the science behind cooking and the fundamentals of healthy eating. We’ll start by reviewing essential kitchen safety and sanitation practices, then dive into topics such as taste perception, chemical reactions, catalysts, acids, bases, and the pH scale all through the lens of science in the kitchen. Students will also study the six essential nutrients and their role in maintaining good health. Each unit includes practical cooking labs where new knowledge will be applied and culinary skills developed. Active participation and regular attendance are key to success in this class. 

0816-From the Ground Up (previously Advanced Foods)
.5 credit (Standards Based Fine Art)

Grades  11, 12

Prerequisite: Food Science (Intro to Foods)

This semester-long course is designed for students who have successfully completed Food Science. The course invites students to explore how our food is grown, harvested, processed, and distributed. Through hands-on experiences and field based learning, students will discover the importance of locally sourced ingredients and gain a deeper understanding of where their food comes from. Weekly work visits to Sturgeon Creek Farm in Eliot, Maine, as well as field trips to local farms, are required components of the course and will provide hands-on insight into sustainable food systems. Students are responsible for covering the cost of field trips. Active participation and regular attendance are key to success in this class. 

0817-Fiber Arts
.5 credit (Standards Based Fine Art)

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 

This semester-long introductory course invites you into the creative world of textile based art, where fabric, thread, and fiber become tools for self-expression. Students will  explore a variety of techniques and materials while developing fine motor skills, artistic confidence, and a deeper understanding of design. The course begins with a foundation in the Elements and Principles of Design, then moves into hands-on projects such as:

• A felt owl (hand sewing)

• A cross-stitch (embroidery)

• A quilted pillow (machine sewing)

• Mini felted animals (felting)

A highlight of the course is a required field trip to the Tsongas Industrial History Center in Lowell, MA, where students take part in the “Bale to Bolt” program and explore the historical roots of textile production. Students are responsible for purchasing their own cross-stitch kit, fabric, sewing notions, felting kit, and any additional supplies needed for class projects.

0823-Life After High School (previously On Your Own)

.5 credit

Grades 11, 12

This semester-long course is a practical, future focused class designed to help students explore and prepare for their next steps after graduation. Whether considering college, technical training, the military, or entering the workforce, this class will guide students through the process of researching options, comparing pathways, and making informed decisions about their future. The course covers post-secondary pathways, workplace readiness, and money management skills which include banking, credit, and debt management. Through an eight-hour job shadow, students will gain direct, hands-on insight into post-secondary opportunities. In addition, student-led “How To…” days provide hands-on practice with everyday adulting skills. Life After High School equips students with the knowledge and confidence to plan their future.