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✝️ Week 23: Catholic Schools Week STREAM

Lesson Overview
Grade Level Grades 1-2
Duration 30 minutes
STREAM Focus R (Religion) + All STREAM Areas

Week 23: Catholic Schools Week STREAM

🎯 Learning Objectives

STEM Objectives

Students will be able to: 1. Connect STREAM learning to Catholic school identity 2. Create a project showcasing Catholic values 3. Explain how faith and learning work together 4. Celebrate Catholic education

Faith Integration Objectives

Students will be able to: 1. Articulate what makes Catholic school special 2. Identify Catholic scientists and their contributions 3. Express gratitude for Catholic education

Week 23: Catholic Schools Week STREAM

🙏 Faith-Reason Integration

Catholic Teaching Connection

Faith and Reason — In Catholic schools, we learn that faith and science work together. God gave us minds to explore His creation, and faith helps us understand the deeper meaning of what we discover.

Scripture Connection

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." — Proverbs 9:10

Saint Connection

Catholic Scientists:

  • St. Albert the Great — Studied science and nature

  • Fr. Georges Lemaître — Proposed the Big Bang theory

  • Gregor Mendel — Father of genetics

  • Sr. Mary Kenneth Keller — First woman to earn PhD in computer science

📚 Materials Needed

  • Catholic Scientists poster/pictures

  • "What Makes Us Special" worksheet

  • Craft materials for "Catholic STREAM" project

  • School values list

  • Celebration decorations

📝 Lesson Procedure (30 minutes)

Opening Prayer & Introduction (5 min)

Catholic Schools Week Prayer: "Thank You, God, for our Catholic school! Thank You for teachers who help us learn and grow in faith. Bless all Catholic schools everywhere. Help us share Your love through all we do. Amen."

Discuss:

  • "What makes our school special?"

  • "How is a Catholic school different?"

  • Answers may include: We pray, we learn about God, we go to Mass, we serve others, we treat everyone with dignity

Catholic Scientists (8 min)

Introduce Catholic scientists:

"Did you know many scientists were Catholic? They believed studying science helped them know God better!"

Share brief stories: 1. Gregor Mendel — A monk who studied pea plants and discovered how traits pass from parents to children 2. Sr. Mary Kenneth Keller — A Catholic sister who helped create computer programming 3. Fr. Georges Lemaître — A priest who figured out how the universe began

Discussion:

  • "These scientists loved God AND loved science!"

  • "In Catholic schools, we learn that faith and science go together"

  • "God gave us brains to discover and hearts to believe"

"What Makes Us Special" Project (12 min)

Create a "Catholic STREAM" banner or poster:

Students contribute to a class project showing:

  • S — "Science shows us God's creation"

  • T — "Technology helps us serve others"

  • R — "Religion guides everything we do"

  • E — "Engineering solves problems with love"

  • A — "Art celebrates God's beauty"

  • M — "Math shows God's order and patterns"

Individual contribution: Each student adds a drawing or words to the class banner.

Alternative: Individual "I Love My Catholic School" cards with STREAM elements.

Closing Celebration (5 min)

Share the completed project.

Gratitude circle: Each student shares one thing they're thankful for about their Catholic school.

Faith Connection: "In Catholic schools, we don't just learn facts — we learn how to love God and love others. Our STREAM learning helps us become people who can make the world better!"

Closing Prayer: "Thank You, God, for Catholic schools where faith and learning come together. Thank You for our teachers, friends, and families who support us. Help us use everything we learn to serve You and others. Amen."

✅ Assessment

  • Contributed to class Catholic STREAM project

  • Identified at least one Catholic scientist

  • Expressed what makes Catholic school special

📎 Home Connection

"We celebrated Catholic Schools Week! Ask your child: 'What makes our Catholic school special?' 'What Catholic scientist did you learn about?' Thank you for choosing Catholic education. Together, we help your child grow in faith, knowledge, and love!"

Lesson Version: 1.0 | **