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Session 11: Lenten Engineering 💜

Overview

Grades: 3-4 | Duration: 40 minutes | Session: 11 of 17

Students apply engineering skills to design service projects during Lent, using technology and design thinking to help others.

Session 11: Lenten Engineering

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, students will:

  • Connect Lenten practices to action

  • Identify community needs

  • Design a service-oriented solution

  • Create prototype or plan for service

Session 11: Lenten Engineering

Materials Needed

  • 📦 Prototyping materials

  • 📋 Service design worksheets

  • 📓 Engineering journals

  • 💜 Lent theme decorations

Catholic Integration

Saint Connection

St. Vincent de Paul — Organized charity and service in creative, systematic ways. He was an "engineer of charity"!

Scripture

"Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." — James 2:17

Opening Prayer

Dear Jesus, during Lent we prepare our hearts for Easter. Help us turn our faith into action by serving others. Guide our designs to help those in need. Amen.

Lesson Procedure

Opening Circle (6 minutes)

  1. Lent Season:
  2. Preparing for Easter
  3. Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving
  4. 40 days of growing closer to God
  5. St. Vincent de Paul:
  6. Didn't just feel sorry for poor—he ORGANIZED help
  7. Created systems to serve more people
  8. "Engineering" charity!
  9. Our Challenge:
  10. Use our skills to SERVE
  11. Engineers solve problems—what problems can we solve?

Main Activity: Service Design Sprint (26 minutes)

Part 1: Identify Needs (5 minutes) Discussion: Who needs help in our community?

  • Elderly neighbors (lonely, need help)

  • Homeless (need food, warmth, dignity)

  • Sick classmates (need encouragement)

  • Environment (needs care)

  • Hungry families (need food)

  • School community (what needs improvement?)

Select ONE need to address.

Part 2: Design Sprint (17 minutes)

EMPATHIZE (3 min):

  • Who specifically needs help?

  • What's their experience like?

  • What would REALLY help them?

IDEATE (3 min):

  • Brainstorm many ideas

  • Wild ideas welcome!

  • Combine ideas

PROTOTYPE (8 min): Create a prototype or detailed plan:

  • Build model if physical solution

  • Write detailed plan if service action

  • Create presentation if digital solution

Example Projects:

  • Blessing bags assembly system (organize supplies)

  • Encouragement card delivery system

  • School recycling station design

  • Senior visit planning system

  • Food drive collection optimizer

SHARE (3 min):

  • Present to partner or group

  • Get feedback

  • Refine idea

Part 3: Action Planning (4 minutes)

  • What can we ACTUALLY do?

  • What's our first step?

  • Who can help us implement this?

Engineering Journal (5 minutes)

  1. Describe the need you identified
  2. Draw your solution design
  3. Write: "My plan will help by..."
  4. Write: "My first step is..."

Closing Circle (3 minutes)

  1. Commitment — "What will you DO for Lent?"
  2. Engineering for Good — "How can design thinking help others?"
  3. Closing Prayer — "Jesus, help us be like St. Vincent de Paul—turning compassion into action. Bless our Lenten service. Amen."

Assessment

Observation Checklist:

  • Identified real community need

  • Applied design process

  • Created viable solution/plan

  • Made service commitment

Differentiation

For Students Who Need Support

  • Pre-selected service project

  • Partner or group work

  • Simplified design template

For Advanced Students

  • Full implementation plan

  • Research best practices

  • Lead class project

Wonder at Home 🏠

Family Activity: Plan family Lent service together! Rice Bowl, volunteering, visiting elderly, donating items. Use "design thinking" — what does your community really need? How can your family help?

Teacher Notes

  • Connect to school/parish Lenten initiatives

  • Follow up on service implementation

  • Consider class service project

  • Document for end-of-year portfolio

Previous: Session 10 — Weather Science
Next: Session 12 — Plants & Growth