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🎉 Week 1: Welcome to C-STREAM

Lesson Overview
Grade Level Grades 3-4
Duration 40 minutes
STREAM Focus Introduction to all STREAM areas

Week 1: Welcome to C-STREAM

🎯 Learning Objectives

STEM Objectives

Students will be able to: 1. Explain what C-STREAM stands for and represents 2. Identify the connections between different STREAM areas 3. Begin developing a growth mindset for challenges 4. Establish community expectations for collaboration

Faith Integration Objectives

Students will be able to: 1. Understand why "Religion" is central to C-STREAM 2. Recognize that faith and science work together 3. Commit to respectful, collaborative community

Week 1: Welcome to C-STREAM

🙏 Faith-Reason Integration

Catholic Teaching Connection

Faith and Reason — Pope St. John Paul II wrote that "faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises." In C-STREAM, we don't choose between faith and science — we use both to understand God's creation and serve others.

Scripture Connection

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

Saint Connection

St. John Paul II — This pope was a philosopher, theologian, and champion of the harmony between faith and reason. He encouraged Catholics to embrace science as a way to know God better.

📚 Materials Needed

  • C-STREAM poster/visual

  • "What is STREAM?" handout

  • Community expectations chart

  • Sticky notes

  • Growth mindset video or story (optional)

  • Sample project pictures from each STREAM area

📝 Lesson Procedure (40 minutes)

Opening Prayer & Introduction (6 min)

Prayer: "Creator God, thank You for the gift of curious minds. As we begin our C-STREAM journey, help us see Your wonder in all we learn. Unite us as a community of learners who support and encourage one another. Amen."

Icebreaker: "What's something you've wondered about or wanted to build/create?"

What is C-STREAM? (10 min)

Unpack the acronym:

  • C — Catholic (our identity; faith guides everything)

  • S — Science (exploring God's creation)

  • T — Technology (tools we use and create)

  • R — Religion (the heart of who we are)

  • E — Engineering (solving problems with design)

  • A — Art (creative expression and beauty)

  • M — Math (patterns and logic in creation)

Discussion:

  • "Why do you think Religion is in the middle?"

  • "How might science and faith work together?"

  • "Have you heard of any scientists who were also people of faith?"

Show examples of projects that combine multiple STREAM areas.

Faith + Science: Partners, Not Enemies (8 min)

Key teaching:

  • Some people think you have to choose between faith and science — NOT TRUE!

  • The Catholic Church has supported science for centuries

  • Many great scientists were Catholic (Galileo, Mendel, Lemaître)

Mini-stories: 1. Gregor Mendel — A monk who discovered genetics by studying pea plants 2. Fr. Georges Lemaître — A priest who proposed the Big Bang theory 3. Sister Mary Kenneth Keller — First American woman to earn a PhD in computer science

Reflection: "Science tells us HOW things work. Faith tells us WHY they matter. We need both!"

Community Expectations (10 min)

Establish our C-STREAM community values:

Brainstorm together: "What do we need from each other to learn well?"

Core expectations: 1. Respect — Ideas, materials, and each other 2. Collaboration — We learn better together 3. Perseverance — We don't give up when it's hard 4. Wonder — We stay curious and ask questions 5. Faith — We see God in all our learning

Create visual: Students sign or add to community covenant.

Growth Mindset Introduction (4 min)

Key message: In C-STREAM, mistakes are learning opportunities!

"Not Yet" mindset:

  • "I can't do this" → "I can't do this YET"

  • "This is too hard" → "This is challenging my brain to grow"

  • "I failed" → "I learned what doesn't work"

Faith connection: "God made us to grow and learn. Every challenge is an opportunity!"

Closing & Preview (2 min)

Preview: "Next week, we'll dive into coding with Sphero!"

Exit ticket: On sticky note: "One thing I'm excited about in C-STREAM this year."

Closing Prayer: "Lord, bless our C-STREAM community. Help us learn with open minds and hearts. May everything we discover and create give glory to You. Amen."

✅ Assessment

  • Participated in C-STREAM discussion

  • Contributed to community expectations

  • Completed exit ticket with genuine excitement

📎 Home Connection

"Welcome to C-STREAM! Today we explored how Catholic education combines faith and science. Ask your child: 'What does C-STREAM stand for?' 'Why is faith important in science?' This year, we'll learn that faith and reason work together — just like Pope St. John Paul II taught!"

Lesson Version: 1.0 | **