Family and Consumer Sciences

This course is concerned with human development from prenatal through elementary education, with particular emphasis on the preschool child, including children with developmental delays, disabilities, language, and/or cultural differences. The early childhood developmental benchmarks through successive stages will be studied in depth. A minimum of 10 hours of field work is required for this course.

Successful completion of both Child Development I and II will earn 3 college credits from CT State.

Child Development I

This course acquaints students with curriculum planning based on the knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices and explores the role of the teacher in an early childhood setting. Students will gain knowledge of early childhood programs, influential theorists who support early childhood education, and current trends in the field. The students will read about, observe, and discuss in-depth the developing child and will examine a variety of early childhood programs and teaching methods. A minimum of 10 hours of field work is required for this course.

Successful completion of both Child Development I and II will earn 3 college credits from CT State.

Child Development II

Students work on the creative aspects of food preparation and presentation. International cuisine, garde manger, specialty desserts, and complex fresh pasta are prepared. Career opportunities are researched within the food industry. Students will also explore the marketing and budgeting side of food production. A community service project is included in this course.   

Culinary Arts

In this introductory course, students will explore where the food they eat comes from and the role of the environment in food production and trends. Students will develop critical thinking skills about our food system and sustainability. Safety and sanitation is stressed in this class. Students will also grow, harvest, and process culinary herbs. A community service project will also be included in this course. 

Farm to Whisk 

This project-based course introduces students to the dynamic world of fashion by exploring both the art and science of apparel design. Students study the history of fashion, influential designers who have shaped the industry, and the textiles and fabrics used in fashion today. Course content includes fibers and fabrics, basic sewing techniques, fashion trends, and the use of color and style to complement different body and skin types. Students also investigate a variety of careers within the Fashion Industry while developing creative and technical skills through hands-on projects. Using paper, fabric, and technology, students bring their design ideas to life and gain an understanding of the creative process behind fashion design.

Fashion Design

Students will learn the basics of cooking and food prep in this class. Safety and sanitation is stressed in this class. Topics will include: knife skills, how to measure accurately, methods of cooking, using small appliances and a variety of tool applications to help gain mastery in the kitchen. Students will be introduced to nutrition/food choices and how to create a budget for menu items. Students will create an online cooking portfolio with recipes and nutritional content. A community service project will also be included in this course.  

Throughout the semester, students will continuously apply essential culinary and professional skills in every unit and kitchen lab experience. These ongoing skills focus on leadership, teamwork, and maintaining a safe and sanitary food service environment, helping students build real-world workplace readiness.

Intro to Foods & Nutrition 

This course is designed as an introduction to the field of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS). The course will provide students with an understanding of individual and family development within the context of the family system and the changes that occur in family systems over time. Students can earn UConn ECE credit for successfully completing this course. 

UConn Intro to Individual & Family Development

Students enrolled in this course will develop essential workplace skills while strengthening both written and interpersonal communication, including effective use of body language in professional settings. Emphasis is placed on building career readiness, professionalism, and real-world work experience. This course is designed for seniors only, and students must have transportation and a schedule that allows for a minimum of five hours of work per week.

School to Career Experience 

This is a half-year class intended to introduce students to the concepts of Interior Design. Students design rooms, discuss traffic patterns, analyze the elements and principles of design, and utilize Chief Architect to create professional drawings.

Interior Design