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Session 9: Catholic Scientists 🔬

Overview

Grades: 3-4 | Duration: 40 minutes | Session: 9 of 17

Students research and present on Catholic scientists, discovering that faith and science have always worked together.

Session 9: Catholic Scientists

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, students will:

  • Identify multiple Catholic scientists

  • Research a scientist's life and contributions

  • Present findings to classmates

  • Articulate how faith and reason complement each other

Session 9: Catholic Scientists

Materials Needed

  • 📚 Research materials (books, approved websites)

  • 📋 Scientist profile sheets

  • 🖼️ Poster materials or digital presentation tools

  • 📓 Engineering journals

Catholic Integration

Theme

Faith and Reason — The Church has always supported science as a way to understand God's creation better!

Scripture

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

Opening Prayer

Dear God, you gave us minds to explore your creation. Thank you for the many faithful scientists who sought to understand your world. Inspire us to use reason and faith together. Amen.

Lesson Procedure

Opening Circle (5 minutes)

  1. Catholic Schools Week:
  2. "We celebrate our Catholic education!"
  3. Faith AND learning go together
  4. Science & Faith Partners:
  5. The Church has ALWAYS supported science
  6. Many scientists were Catholic priests, nuns, laypeople
  7. "Studying creation helps us know the Creator!"
  8. Famous Examples:
  9. Fr. Georges Lemaître — Big Bang Theory
  10. Gregor Mendel — Genetics
  11. Galileo — Despite the conflict, he remained Catholic!

Main Activity: Scientist Research (27 minutes)

Part 1: Choose Your Scientist (2 minutes)

  • Select from list:
  • Fr. Georges Lemaître — Big Bang Theory
  • Gregor Mendel — Genetics & heredity
  • Louis Pasteur — Vaccines, germ theory
  • Bl. Nicolas Steno — Geology founder
  • Maria Gaetana Agnesi — Mathematics
  • Jérôme Lejeune — Down syndrome research
  • Sister Mary Kenneth Keller — Computer science pioneer
  • Br. Guy Consolmagno — Vatican astronomer (alive today!)

Part 2: Research (12 minutes) Use the scientist profile sheet:

  • Name and life dates

  • What did they study/discover?

  • How did their faith influence their work?

  • Interesting fact

  • Why does their work matter today?

Part 3: Create Presentation (10 minutes)

  • Create poster OR digital slide OR oral presentation

  • Include:

  • Scientist name and image
  • Key discovery
  • Faith connection
  • Impact today

Part 4: Gallery Walk/Presentations (3 minutes)

  • Quick share: "My scientist is... They discovered..."

  • Full presentations can continue next session or be displayed

Engineering Journal (5 minutes)

  1. Write about your scientist
  2. Write: "Faith and science go together because..."
  3. Draw your scientist or their discovery
  4. Write: "I was surprised that..."

Closing Circle (3 minutes)

  1. Key Learning — "What surprised you about Catholic scientists?"
  2. Inspiration — "Does this inspire you to be a scientist?"
  3. Closing Prayer — "God, thank you for scientists who used their faith to explore your creation. Help us follow their example. Amen."

Assessment

Observation Checklist:

  • Researched assigned scientist

  • Identified key contributions

  • Connected faith to scientific work

  • Created presentation element

Differentiation

For Students Who Need Support

  • Pre-filled research sheets

  • Partner research

  • Focus on 2-3 key facts

For Advanced Students

  • Compare two scientists

  • Research deeper questions

  • Create timeline of Catholic scientists

Wonder at Home 🏠

Family Activity: Share what you learned about Catholic scientists! Look up more information together. Discuss: Why do some people think faith and science are enemies? How does our family use both?

Teacher Notes

  • See Resources/Catholic_Scientists_Heritage.md for detailed profiles

  • Display presentations for Catholic Schools Week

  • Consider inviting a scientist parishioner to speak

  • Connect to diocesan Catholic Schools Week themes

Previous: Session 8 — Scratch Animation
Next: Session 10 — Weather Science