🎉 Week 1: Welcome to C-STREAM¶

Lesson Overview¶


Grade Level	Grades 1-2
Duration	30 minutes
Lesson Type	Single-Week
STREAM Focus	All areas introduction

Week 1: Welcome to C-STREAM¶

🎯 Learning Objectives¶

STEM Objectives¶

Students will be able to: 1. Identify what each letter in STREAM stands for 2. Explain that STREAM helps us understand God's creation 3. Set one personal learning goal for the year 4. Ask a wonder question about something they want to learn

Faith Integration Objectives¶

Students will be able to: 1. Understand that faith and science work together 2. Recognize that curiosity is a gift from God 3. Identify at least one Catholic scientist

Week 1: Welcome to C-STREAM¶

🙏 Faith-Reason Integration¶

Catholic Teaching Connection¶

Faith and Reason — In Catholic teaching, faith and reason are not opposed — they work together! Science helps us understand HOW God's creation works, while faith helps us understand WHY God created it.

Scripture Connection¶

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge." — Psalm 19:1-2

Catholic Scientist Connection¶

Gregor Mendel — A Catholic monk who discovered how traits are passed from parents to children (genetics). He studied pea plants and is called the "Father of Genetics."

Wonder Question¶

"Have you ever wondered how scientists and people of faith can both love learning? Because God made our minds to be curious!"

📚 Materials and Preparation¶

Materials Needed¶

Item	Quantity	Source
STREAM poster or letter cards	1 set	Teacher-made
STREAM journal	1 per student	School supply
Catholic scientist picture cards	5-6	Teacher-made
"My STREAM Goals" worksheet	1 per student	Teacher-made
Crayons/markers	Class set	Classroom

Teacher Preparation¶

Create or display STREAM letter poster
Prepare Catholic scientist cards (Mendel, Lemaitre, etc.)
Set up Wonder Wall space
Prepare goal-setting worksheet

📝 Lesson Procedure¶

⏱️ Timing Guide (30 minutes)¶

Section	Time	Activity
Opening Prayer & Wonder	3 min	Prayer and wonder question
What is C-STREAM?	8 min	Letter exploration and meaning
Faith + Science	7 min	Catholic scientists
Goal Setting	9 min	Personal goals
Closing	3 min	Share and pray

1. Opening Prayer & Wonder Moment (3 minutes)¶

Prayer:

"Dear God, thank you for giving us curious minds. This year, help us to learn amazing things about Your creation and to grow closer to You through everything we discover. Amen."

Wonder Question:

"If you could learn about ANYTHING in the world, what would it be?"

Take 2-3 quick responses.

2. What is C-STREAM? (8 minutes)¶

Introduce each letter:

"Welcome to C-STREAM! The 'C' stands for Catholic — because we're learning in a Catholic school where we connect everything to our faith."

Letter	Stands For	What We Do	God Connection
C	Catholic	Learn with faith	God guides our learning
S	Science	Ask questions, experiment	Understand God's creation
T	Technology	Use tools, code robots	Use gifts wisely
R	Religion	Pray, connect to faith	Everything leads to God
E	Engineering	Design, build, solve	Create like God creates
A	Arts	Draw, music, design	Create beauty
M	Math	Count, measure, patterns	See God's order

Practice chant with motions:

"C-STREAM helps us learn and grow, about the world that God made so!"

Key Point:

"In C-STREAM, we don't just learn science OR faith — we learn both TOGETHER!"

3. Faith + Science (7 minutes)¶

Big Idea:

"Some people think you can't believe in God AND be a scientist. But that's not true! Many amazing scientists were Catholics!"

Introduce Catholic Scientists:

Gregor Mendel (Show picture)

"Gregor Mendel was a monk — a man who devoted his life to God. He also studied pea plants and discovered how parents pass traits to their children. He's called the Father of Genetics!"

Georges Lemaître (Show picture)

"Father Lemaître was a Catholic priest AND a scientist. He came up with the Big Bang theory — the idea that the universe started from a tiny point and expanded. A priest helped us understand how the universe began!"

Discussion:

"Can you be a person of faith AND a scientist?" (YES!)
"Why do you think these Catholics wanted to study science?" (To understand God's creation better)

4. Goal Setting (9 minutes)¶

Introduce goal-setting:

"This year, you're going to learn SO many things. But first, let's think about what YOU want to learn."

Distribute "My STREAM Goals" worksheet.

Guide students through:

What I already know — Draw one thing you already know about science or technology
What I want to learn — Draw something you want to learn this year
My goal — Circle or write one goal:
I will try new things
I will ask questions
I will help my friends learn
I will keep trying when things are hard
I will see God in what I learn

Students work for 5-6 minutes while teacher circulates.

5. Closing (3 minutes)¶

Partner share:

"Turn to a neighbor and share your goal."

Wonder Wall:

"Our Wonder Wall is where we put questions about things we wonder about. If you have a wonder question, you can add it anytime!"

Closing Prayer:

"Dear God, thank you for this year of learning ahead. Help us to ask good questions, work hard, help our friends, and see You in everything we discover. Amen."

✅ Assessment¶

Observation Checklist¶

Skill	Observed
Can name what STREAM stands for	☐
Understands faith + science connection	☐
Set a personal goal	☐
Expressed wonder/curiosity	☐

🔄 Differentiation¶

For Students Who Need Support¶

Partner for goal-setting
Provide picture choices
Focus on verbal sharing

For Advanced Learners¶

Write goal in sentence form
Research another Catholic scientist
Create a wonder question for the Wonder Wall

📎 Home Connection¶

Family Note:

"Today we began our C-STREAM year! Your child learned that in Catholic school, we learn science, technology, engineering, art, and math — all connected to our faith. We also learned about Catholic scientists like Gregor Mendel. Ask your child: 'What is one thing you want to learn in STREAM this year?'"

Lesson Version: 1.0
Last Updated: 2025-12-05