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Session 11: Mercy Engineering 💜

Overview

Grades: 5-6 | Duration: 45 minutes | Session: 11 of 17

Students design engineering solutions that address the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy during Lent.

Session 11: Mercy Engineering

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, students will:

  • Understand the Works of Mercy

  • Connect engineering to service

  • Design solutions that serve others

  • Plan implementation of mercy project

Session 11: Mercy Engineering

Materials Needed

  • 📋 Works of Mercy guides

  • 📦 Prototype materials

  • 📓 Engineering journals

  • 💻 Research resources

Catholic Integration

Theme

Works of Mercy — Traditional Catholic ways of living mercy in the world, both physical (corporal) and spiritual needs.

Scripture

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in." — Matthew 25:35

Opening Prayer

Dear Jesus, you call us to see your face in those who suffer. During Lent, help us practice mercy in action. Guide our designs to truly serve "the least of these." Amen.

Lesson Procedure

Opening Circle (8 minutes)

  1. Lenten Call:
  2. Season of preparation
  3. Prayer, fasting, almsgiving
  4. Growing in mercy and love
  5. Works of Mercy:

Corporal (Physical Needs): | Work | What It Means | |------|---------------| | Feed the hungry | Provide food for those without | | Give drink to the thirsty | Provide clean water access | | Clothe the naked | Provide clothing for those in need | | Shelter the homeless | Provide housing/shelter | | Visit the sick | Care for ill and suffering | | Visit the imprisoned | Support those in prison | | Bury the dead | Honor those who have died |

Spiritual (Soul Needs): | Work | What It Means | |------|---------------| | Counsel the doubtful | Help those struggling with decisions | | Instruct the ignorant | Teach and educate | | Admonish sinners | Lovingly correct wrongs | | Comfort the sorrowful | Be present for those grieving | | Forgive offenses | Practice forgiveness | | Bear wrongs patiently | Endure difficulties with grace | | Pray for living and dead | Intercede in prayer |

  1. Engineering for Mercy:
  2. How can design address these needs?
  3. Technology serving human dignity
  4. Our skills for God's kingdom

Main Activity: Mercy Project Design (28 minutes)

Part 1: Mercy Focus Selection (6 minutes)

Choose a Work of Mercy to Address:

  • Which work resonates with you?

  • Where do you see this need?

  • How might engineering help?

Research the Need:

  • Local examples of this need

  • Who specifically is affected?

  • What solutions exist?

  • What gaps remain?

Part 2: Solution Design (18 minutes)

Design Thinking for Mercy:

EMPATHIZE (3 min):

  • Put yourself in the position of someone experiencing this need

  • What would truly help?

  • What preserves dignity?

DEFINE (2 min):

  • "How might we [address work of mercy] for [specific group]?"

IDEATE (4 min):

  • Many possible solutions

  • Technology-enabled options

  • Low-tech options

  • Service design options

PROTOTYPE (7 min):

  • Choose best solution

  • Create detailed design or prototype:

  • Physical invention
  • App/digital solution
  • Service system

  • Awareness campaign

  • Document how it works

PLAN (2 min):

  • How could this be implemented?

  • What resources needed?

  • Who would help?

Part 3: Presentation (4 minutes)

  • Share mercy project designs

  • Explain work of mercy addressed

  • Discuss implementation possibilities

Engineering Journal (5 minutes)

  1. Work of Mercy chosen: ___
  2. Need addressed: ___
  3. Solution design (sketch and explain):
  4. Write: "Mercy means..."
  5. Write: "Engineering serves mercy by..."

Closing Circle (4 minutes)

  1. Commitment — "How will you practice mercy this Lent?"
  2. Jesus' Challenge — "Whatever you did for the least of these..."
  3. Closing Prayer — "Merciful Jesus, you showed perfect mercy. Help us practice mercy in action. Bless our designs and those they will serve. Amen."

Assessment

Observation Checklist:

  • Understood Works of Mercy

  • Connected engineering to service

  • Created viable mercy solution

  • Made personal commitment

Differentiation

For Students Who Need Support

  • Focus on one specific work

  • Partner design

  • Template for planning

For Advanced Students

  • Address multiple works

  • Detailed implementation plan

  • Lead class project

Wonder at Home 🏠

Family Activity: Family Works of Mercy challenge! Choose one work to practice as a family this Lent. Research how your parish serves the community. Discuss: How does your family show mercy?

Teacher Notes

  • Connect to school/parish Lenten programs

  • Consider implementing class project

  • Rice Bowl connects to feeding hungry

  • Document service for portfolios

Previous: Session 10 — Space Science
Next: Session 12 — Ecosystems