Sustainable living in home economics education

Given the environmental crisis that we are facing, never has it been more important for students to learn the importance of connecting with and taking care of the earth. Since home economics was founded with an ecological philosophy (Vaines, 1990), and the International Federation of Home Economics (IFHE, 2008) describes its goal as “achieving optimal and sustainable living for individuals, families and communities” (p. 1), it makes sense for home economics classes to include sustainable practices and lessons in ecology. This extended literature review was a way for me to connect with the research on key concepts related to ecology and sustainable living and determine how they can be applied to home economics education. It also allowed me to reflect on how my upbringing instilled an appreciation for the earth that guided me to becoming a home economics teacher. In this graduating project, I review literature that shows the connection between home economics and ecology, and resulting educational implications focusing on sustainable living. I outline the importance of students understanding how their everyday decisions and actions, particularly those related to their food and clothing, have consequences for the environment. As a result, I present an argument for the benefits of lessons with ecological themes and sustainable practices in order to help the next generation become more eco-conscious and I share examples of ways to infuse them in home economics curriculum and pedagogy.Education, Faculty ofCurriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department ofUnreviewedGraduat