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Session 09: Catholic Inventors ⛪

Overview

Grades: 1-2 | Duration: 30 minutes | Session: 9 of 17

Students celebrate Catholic Schools Week by learning about Catholic scientists and inventors who changed the world while serving God.

Session 09: Catholic Inventors

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, students will:

  • Learn about Catholic scientists and inventors

  • Understand that faith and science work together

  • Celebrate being in a Catholic school

  • Create a project honoring Catholic scientists

Session 09: Catholic Inventors

Materials Needed

  • 📸 Pictures of Catholic scientists

  • 📄 Short biographies (age-appropriate)

  • 🎨 Art supplies for poster/project

  • 📓 Engineering journals

  • 📋 "My Catholic School" activity sheet

Catholic Integration

Saint Connection

Multiple Catholic Scientists:

  • Gregor Mendel — Monk who discovered genetics

  • Louis Pasteur — Catholic who invented pasteurization

  • Fr. Georges Lemaître — Priest who proposed the Big Bang theory

Scripture

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." — Psalm 19:1

Opening Prayer

Dear God, thank you for our Catholic school where we learn about you AND about your world. Thank you for Catholic scientists who loved you and loved learning. Help us follow their example. Amen.

Lesson Procedure

Opening Circle (6 minutes)

  1. Catholic Schools Week! — "We're celebrating our school!"
  2. Faith + Science — "At Catholic schools, we learn that God made science!"
  3. Catholic Scientists — Introduce heroes:
  4. Gregor Mendel: Monk who grew pea plants and discovered how traits pass from parents to children (genetics)
  5. Louis Pasteur: Made milk safe to drink (pasteurization)
  6. Fr. Georges Lemaître: Priest who figured out the universe is expanding (Big Bang)
  7. Key Message — "Loving God and loving science go together!"

Main Activity: Catholic Scientist Celebration (18 minutes)

Part 1: Meet a Scientist (6 minutes)

  • Focus on ONE scientist in depth (Gregor Mendel recommended for 1-2)

  • "Brother Mendel was a monk—he prayed every day"

  • "He was curious about God's creation"

  • "He grew thousands of pea plants!"

  • "He discovered that children look like their parents because of tiny instructions (genes)"

  • Discussion: "What made him a good scientist AND a good Catholic?"

Part 2: Create a Tribute (10 minutes)

  • Option A: Scientist Poster
  • Draw the scientist
  • Write one fact

  • Add: "Catholic Scientist!"

  • Option B: Pea Plant Activity (Mendel connection)

  • Sort items by traits (like Mendel did)
  • Big/small, green/yellow

  • Connect to Mendel's work

  • Option C: Thank You to Teachers

  • Create cards for school teachers
  • "Thank you for teaching us about God and science!"

Part 3: Share (2 minutes)

  • Show creations

  • Say one thing learned about Catholic scientists

Engineering Journal (4 minutes)

  1. Draw your favorite Catholic scientist
  2. Write: "I learned that..."
  3. Write: "I'm thankful for my Catholic school because..."

Closing Circle (2 minutes)

  1. School Pride — "What's special about our Catholic school?"
  2. Future Scientists — "You can be a Catholic scientist too!"
  3. Closing Prayer — "Thank you, God, for faith and science together. Thank you for our Catholic school. Help us love learning and love you. Amen."

Assessment

Observation Checklist:

  • Learned about at least one Catholic scientist

  • Understood faith-science connection

  • Participated in celebration activity

  • Expressed gratitude for Catholic school

Differentiation

For Students Who Need Support

  • Focus on one scientist's story

  • Simple drawing activity

  • Work alongside teacher or buddy

For Advanced Students

  • Research additional scientists

  • Write a short report

  • Present to the class

Wonder at Home 🏠

Family Activity: Look up one Catholic scientist together! (Gregor Mendel, Louis Pasteur, or Blessed Carlo Acutis) Talk about how they served God through science. Why is it special to go to a Catholic school?

Teacher Notes

  • Coordinate with school-wide Catholic Schools Week activities

  • Consider inviting a scientist from the parish

  • Display student work in hallway

  • See Resources/Catholic_Scientists_Heritage.md for more scientists

Previous: Session 08 — Coding Basics
Next: Session 10 — Weather Watchers