Contributing to the C-STEM (Catholic STEM) Program

Thank you for your interest in contributing to the C-STEM Program at Our Lady of the Prairie Catholic School! We welcome your input, whether it’s submitting new lesson plans, improving existing resources, or helping us better integrate Catholic values into our STEM curriculum.

How to Contribute

1. Reporting Issues

If you notice any issues with the curriculum, lesson plans, or resources (e.g., broken links, typos, or inaccuracies), please help us by reporting them. You can submit an issue by following these steps:

• Go to the Issues tab in the repository.
• Click on New Issue.
• Provide a clear description of the issue with as much detail as possible (e.g., the file where the issue exists and what needs to be corrected).

2. Submitting New Lesson Plans

If you’d like to contribute new lesson plans or improve upon existing ones, we’d love your help! Please follow the steps below:

1. Fork the Repository:
   Fork this repository to your own GitHub account.

2. Create a New Branch:
   Create a branch specific to the changes you plan to make. For example: ```bash git checkout -b add-new-lesson-plan

   3. Improving Existing Lesson Plans

If you have suggestions for improving or updating current lesson plans, you can contribute by following these steps:

1. Identify the Lesson Plan:
   Locate the lesson plan in the LessonPlans/ folder that you want to improve.

2. Fork and Branch:
   Fork the repository and create a branch, as detailed above.

3. Make Changes:
   Edit the lesson plan to improve clarity, expand activities, or better integrate Catholic values into the lesson. Be sure to make use of any CSCOE inventory tools or digital devices like iPads and Chromebooks where appropriate.

4. Submit a Pull Request:
   Once your improvements are complete, submit a pull request to the main branch.

4. Contributing to Resources

If you have additional resources, such as recommended readings, tools, or external links, please:

• Add your resource in the appropriate file in the Resources/ folder.
• Ensure that the resource aligns with the mission of the C-STEM program and integrates STEM concepts with Catholic teachings.
• If your resource involves the use of technology or engineering tools from the CSCOE STEM Inventory, please make that clear in your submission.

5. Review and Approval

Once your pull request is submitted:

• The C-STEM team will review your contribution.
• If everything is in order, your contribution will be merged into the repository.
• If there are any requested changes, you will receive feedback and can update your pull request accordingly.

Contribution Guidelines

• Respect Catholic Values: All lesson plans, resources, and materials must align with Catholic values and teachings.
• Clarity and Accessibility: Ensure that lesson plans and resources are written clearly and are easily accessible for all teachers.
• Consistency: Follow the existing format and structure of lesson plans to maintain consistency across the curriculum.
• Test Your Lesson: If you’re contributing a new lesson plan, make sure that you have tested the lesson in a classroom setting or with a small group.
• Integration of Tools: Make sure to highlight any use of the CSCOE STEM Inventory tools or standard classroom technology such as iPads and Chromebooks.

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Thank you for contributing to the C-STEM program! Your contributions help us continue to inspire students to explore STEM through a Catholic lens.

If you have any questions about contributing, feel free to contact us.

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Happy Teaching and Creating!