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Embroidery is Awesome

School:: New Smyrna Beach Middle School
Subject:: Stem
Teacher:: Christopher Broomall
Students Impacted:: 1200
Grade:: 6-8
Date:: September 13, 2024

Investors

Thank you to the following investors for funding this grant.

FUTURES Foundation - $500.00

Anonymous Family Foundation - $498.00

Goal

The goal of this grant is to acquire two Brother SE700 embroidery machines to enhance our middle school's STEM program. These machines will provide students with hands-on experience in digital design, textiles, and technology, fostering creativity, technical skills, and problem-solving abilities. By incorporating the embroidery machines, students will learn to translate their digital designs into real-world products, enhancing their understanding of engineering, math, and art. These tools will empower students to explore modern crafting techniques, encourage teamwork through group projects, and prepare them for future opportunities in design, technology, and entrepreneurship.

What will be done with my students

Students working on an embroidery and sewing machine would engage in hands-on, creative activities that integrate both art and technology. The process would begin with introducing students to the basics of embroidery, such as understanding different stitches and the role of fabric, thread, and tension in creating designs.
Students would then learn how to use software to design their own patterns, incorporating creativity and digital literacy. This could include customizing logos, names, or images and learning how to translate these designs into machine-readable formats. As they experiment with colors and textures, they will develop spatial reasoning and aesthetic sense.
Once the design phase is complete, students would transfer their designs to the embroidery machine and monitor the stitching process. They would observe how the machine interprets digital input and converts it into physical output. Troubleshooting and adjusting the machine as needed will teach students problem-solving skills and patience.
Through these activities, students would develop fine motor skills, attention to detail, and a practical understanding of how technology enhances craftsmanship. The project could culminate in students creating personalized items like t-shirts, patches, or bags, fostering a sense of accomplishment and pride in their work.

Benefits to my students

The following standards and benchmarks for Exploring Technology and Career Planning course number 8600220

01.0 Demonstrate an understanding of and be able to select and use manufacturing technologies. The student will be able to:
19.01 Describe manufacturing systems using mechanical processes that change the form of materials through processes of separating, forming, combining, and conditioning them.
19.02 Classify manufactured goods as durable and non-durable.
19.03 Employ the manufacturing process including the designing, development, making, and servicing of products and systems.
19.04 Describe manufacturing technologies that are used to modify or alter manufactured products.
19.05 Explain that materials must first be located before they can be extracted from the earth through processes such as harvesting, drilling, and mining.

The Brother SE700 offers significant benefits to students by combining both embroidery and sewing functions, enhancing their creativity and technical skills. With its built-in designs and the ability to upload custom digital files, students can explore digital design while learning practical crafting techniques. This hands-on experience helps them develop fine motor skills, attention to detail, and problem-solving abilities as they navigate the machine's features. Additionally, the SE700 fosters teamwork and project-based learning, allowing students to collaborate on personalized projects. The machine’s integration of technology and art prepares students for future careers in design, textiles, and engineering.