Home Economics at FIS Race Course
By Babita Srivastava, MYP teacher & Home Economics specialist
Tanja Kauppila, G1-2 homeroom teacher & Home Economics specialist
Home Economics is a cherished part of Finnish education, equipping students with practical life skills and fostering a strong sense of independence. Covering essential topics such as nutrition, food safety, and healthy eating, alongside household basics like cleaning, laundry, and budgeting, this subject prepares students for real-life challenges (and ensures they can thrive on more than just instant noodles!).
In our well-equipped Home Economics classroom, students not only master these fundamental skills but also integrate learning from English, Maths, and Science. This interdisciplinary approach—true to the Finnish way—promotes creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving in real-world contexts.
A Practical Curriculum for Lifelong Skills
Our FIS curriculum places a strong emphasis on managing time, energy, and money wisely. Students explore budgeting, saving, and smart spending—essential tools they’ll rely on throughout their lives. After all, financial management is far less daunting when thriftiness becomes second nature!
From Budding Chefs to Master Cooks
Our younger students in Grades 1–5 are already showing their culinary flair! They’ve crafted a variety of healthy snacks, from vibrant fruit salads and vegetable dips featuring hydroponic herbs to Greek yoghurt parfaits and festive treats like coconut modaks for Navratri (even the Finnish Parliament’s Commerce Committee got to sample these!). Pizza remains a firm favourite, while Halloween treats featuring marshmallows, avocado, multigrain bread, seaweed, and bell peppers sparked their creativity. Sandwich-making has become an art form, with students designing stars, hearts, butterflies, and gingerbread men, stuffed with peanut butter, jam, cheese spread, and green chutney. Baking Anzac cookies even introduced them to lessons in food preservation and history—proving that every dish tells a story!
Our older MYP students tackle more advanced recipes, from palak paneer with butter naan to homemade guacamole on toasted bagels. They’ve perfected fruit crème, baked cookies from scratch, and recreated street foods like Bombay sandwiches and sev puri. Halloween brought s’mores, while pasta with hydroponic basil pesto was a hit. They’ve also explored bread pakoras with cheese, iced tea, and even a science experiment investigating how sugar affects cookie size—a delicious way to blend science and baking.
Each step, from growing their own herbs and following recipes to measuring ingredients and cleaning up, teaches responsibility, teamwork, and respect for the entire process. They’re also learning how to use the washing machine and dishwasher, embracing sustainable living practices at home.
Home Economics Day: A Weekly Celebration
At FIS Racecourse Home Economics Day is the highlight of the week. Sometimes students even treat staff to their culinary creations, making it a much-anticipated event that fosters community and connection. It’s a joyful celebration of learning, sharing, and just a touch of organised chaos in the kitchen—embodying the heart of Finnish education in action!
