STEM(in) with Steph

Candy making is a favorite activity for many when the holidays draw near. Some may ask how this is STEM related? Well, there are a lot of details behind making the perfect candies! Things like ingredients, shopping (with discounts!), measuring, temperature controls, and decorating with unique style! So when the Delta Life Skills girls group {Note: See post from Dec 10th ~ Why Home Economics? for more info about this group} asked me to come help them learn about homemade Christmas candy making, I couldn't resist the opportunity! Cutting up the Cherries! The girls group started by breaking into twos to cover more candy making. We decided to try four different recipes including: Cherry Mashers, Peanut Delights, Butterscotch Stacks, and (my favorite!) Peppermint Cane Fudge! Although the candy was for personal enjoyment, we did discuss proper sanitation when making food and gifting it to others. Then the groups split off to there culinary tasks. We experime...

 Soap Box Time! One of the things I think that we've lost in public education is the Home Economics training that so many young people need to function properly as adults. When I was in school, we were taught how to cook and clean, how to mend things rather than toss them away, and how to balance a check book. Today in our 'test score %' society, it's hard to find that old fashion education in any of the curriculum books. And I find that really disturbing since it's many of these basic skills that we depend upon daily to function. However, thankfully I'm not the only one this concerns. Many educators still offer such classes and learning opportunities for youth to gain these skills. One such group is located in Delta, Colorado. Two Tuesday afternoons a month, a group of middle and high school girls get together with their 3 head instructors for what they call Life Skills training. From the creation of their squad, they have covered a plethora o...

Christmas treats tend to be our downfall each year! Breads, Cookies, Jams, Cheeses, Processed Meats, Candy, etc.... You name it, and my family usually eats it! So I'm bringing you a new treat to try, so you can join us in our holiday treat stuffing tradition. Everyone knows you shouldn't eat the cookie dough - because of raw products like eggs and uncooked flour, BUT you can eat cookie dough FUDGE! Yum! Credit to Delish for recipe. INGREDIENTS: Cooking spray 1/2 c. (1 stick) Butter, softened 3/4 c. Granulated sugar 1 tsp. Pure vanilla extract 1 c. All-purpose flour* 1 tsp. Kosher salt 1 1/4 c. Mini chocolate chips, Divided 1 (14-oz.) can sweetened condensed milk 1 1/2 c. melted white chocolate DIRECTIONS: Grease an 8" or 9" square pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper. In a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat butter, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.  Place flour in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave until flour is hot, abou...