Oklahoma County OSU Extension celebrates Family & Consumer Sciences Day

By Darla Shelden, The City Sentinel reporter 

OKLAHOMA CITY– Those living in the Oklahoma City metro area are encouraged to celebrate virtually the seventh annual Family & Consumer Sciences Day hosted locally by the Oklahoma County OSU Extension.

This national celebration educates families about the importance of “dining in” together for #FCSsuccess. Event resources are developed and provided by family and consumer sciences professionals.

On or around Thursday, December 3, the event will raise awareness of the value of family and consumer sciences. Participants include extension groups, secondary and higher education, students, parents, principals, administrators, government officials, decision makers, media, family and friends.

Family and consumer sciences or FCS is the field of study focused on the science and the art of living and working well in a complex world. The field represents many areas, including human development, personal and family finance, housing and interior design, food science, nutrition, and wellness, textiles and apparel, and consumer issues. (https://www.aafcs.org/fcsday/home) 

“Now in its seventh year, Family & Consumer Sciences Day calls attention to something simple that professionals are doing to raise our voices about the value of family and consumer sciences and the impact that we make on society,” said Taylor Connor, Oklahoma County Family and Consumer Sciences Educator.

“We are encouraging people to eat a nutritious meal together,” Conner said. “We are proud to take part in this important initiative.”

Since 2014, more than 400,000 commitments have been made to “dining in” on Family & Consumer Sciences Day. In 2020, the goal is to add 20,000 “Dining In” commitments to the event pledge map.

The American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) chose Dec. 3 for Family & Consumer Sciences Day to honor AAFCS Founder Ellen Swallow Richards (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ellen-Swallow-Richards) (December 3, 1842.- March 30, 1911), first female graduate of and instructor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Ellen was a chemist and founder of the home economics movement in the United States. 


Based in the Washington, D.C. area, AAFCS was founded in 1909 as the American Home Economics Association and is the only association for family and consumer sciences students and professionals across multiple practice settings and content areas.

AAFCS’s mission is to provide leadership and support for professionals whose work assists individuals, families, and communities in making more informed decisions about their well-being, relationships, and resources to achieve optimal quality of life.

Through research, experiential education, and technology, AAFCS members help people develop the essential knowledge and skills to lead better lives, be work and career ready, build strong families, and make meaningful contributions to their communities, according to the website.

For more information, visit aafcs,org.