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🔬 Weeks 19-22: STREAM Choice Labs

Unit Overview
Grade Level Grades 3-4
Duration 4 sessions (40 min each)
STREAM Focus All STREAM Areas (Student Choice)

Weeks 19-22: STREAM Choice Labs

🎯 Learning Objectives

STEM Objectives

Students will be able to: 1. Work independently on self-directed projects 2. Apply skills across STREAM disciplines 3. Practice time management and self-regulation 4. Complete a passion project with documentation

Faith Integration Objectives

Students will be able to: 1. Recognize and develop God-given talents 2. Practice stewardship of materials and time 3. Serve others through project design

Weeks 19-22: STREAM Choice Labs

🙏 Faith-Reason Integration

Catholic Teaching Connection

Developing Talents — The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25) teaches us to develop and use our God-given gifts. Choice Labs allow students to explore and strengthen their unique talents while serving others.

Scripture Connection

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." — 1 Peter 4:10

Saint Connection

Multiple Saints — Different stations feature different saints who excelled in various areas (see station descriptions).

📚 Materials Needed

  • Station-specific materials (see stations)

  • Choice Lab passports/logs

  • Project planning worksheets

  • Timer (visual)

  • Display materials for final presentations

Unit Structure

Session Format (All 4 Sessions)

  • Opening Prayer & Goals: 4 min

  • Lab Time (2 stations): 30 min (15 min each)

  • Reflection & Documentation: 6 min

Station Options

🤖 Station A: Advanced Robotics Lab

Focus: Technology Saint: Blessed Carlo Acutis (technology)

Activities:

  • Sphero BOLT advanced programming (sensors, matrix)

  • Create autonomous navigation programs

  • Program light shows and animations

  • Collaborative robot challenges

Materials: Sphero BOLT robots, iPads, challenge cards

💻 Station B: Scratch Studio

Focus: Technology, Art Saint: Fra Angelico (artist)

Activities:

  • Create original Scratch games or stories

  • Learn advanced concepts (variables, clones)

  • Design interactive art

  • Make educational projects

Materials: Computers with Scratch, tutorial cards

🏗️ Station C: Engineering Workshop

Focus: Engineering, Math Saint: St. Barbara (builders)

Activities:

  • KEVA advanced challenges (suspension, cantilever)

  • Paper engineering (pop-up books, mechanisms)

  • Cardboard construction

  • Bridge and tower optimization

Materials: KEVA planks, cardboard, paper, tape, rulers

🔬 Station D: Science Investigation

Focus: Science Saint: St. Albert the Great (science)

Activities:

  • Independent experiments with scientific method

  • Chemistry explorations (safe reactions)

  • Physics investigations (motion, magnets, electricity)

  • Biology observations (plants, microscope)

Materials: Lab supplies, experiment cards, safety goggles

🎨 Station E: STREAM Art Studio

Focus: Art, Math Saint: Michelangelo (artist)

Activities:

  • Mathematical art (tessellations, fractals)

  • Design challenges

  • 3D paper sculptures

  • Symmetry and geometry art

Materials: Art supplies, rulers, compasses, templates

⚡ Station F: Circuits & Electronics

Focus: Technology, Engineering Saint: St. Joseph the Worker

Activities:

  • Little Bits circuit building

  • Simple circuits with batteries and lights

  • Design electronic devices

  • Troubleshoot and solve circuit problems

Materials: Little Bits, batteries, LEDs, wires, switches

Session-by-Session Guide

Session 1: Introduction & Exploration

Opening Prayer & Introduction (6 min)

Prayer: "Lord, You've given each of us unique gifts. Help us discover and develop our talents these weeks. Guide our choices and bless our learning. Amen."

Parable of Talents discussion:

  • Review Matthew 25:14-30

  • "What talents (gifts) do you have?"

  • "How can you develop them in Choice Labs?"

Lab introduction:

  • Review all station options

  • Explain passport/tracking system

  • Set expectations for independence

Lab Time (28 min)

Students visit 2 stations of their choice (14 min each).

Teacher role: Facilitate, troubleshoot, encourage

Reflection (6 min)

Document in passport:

  • Which stations did you visit?

  • What did you learn/create?

  • What do you want to explore more?

Session 2: Deep Dive

Opening Prayer & Planning (4 min)

Prayer: "Creator God, deepen our understanding today. Help us grow in the gifts You've given us. Amen."

Planning: "Which stations will you focus on today?"

Lab Time (30 min)

Students choose stations based on interests/goals.

Encourage depth:

  • Build on last session's work

  • Take on harder challenges

  • Start a multi-session project

Reflection (6 min)

  • Document progress

  • Note challenges and successes

  • Plan for next session

Session 3: Project Development

Opening Prayer & Goal Setting (4 min)

Prayer: "Lord, help us use our gifts to serve others. Guide our projects toward meaning and purpose. Amen."

Focus: "How can your project serve others or share learning?"

Lab Time (30 min)

Students work on extended projects or explore new stations.

Project possibilities:

  • Scratch game to teach younger students

  • Engineering solution to real problem

  • Science experiment to share findings

  • Art project with mathematical principles

Reflection (6 min)

  • Document project progress

  • Prepare for final session

  • Think about presentation/sharing

Session 4: Completion & Sharing

Opening Prayer (3 min)

Prayer: "Thank You, God, for the gifts we've developed these weeks. Help us share our learning and celebrate our growth. Amen."

Final Lab Time (20 min)

  • Complete projects

  • Prepare to share

  • Practice demonstrations

Options:

  • Gallery walk: Display projects, rotate to see others

  • Short presentations: 1-2 min per student

  • Station showcases: Groups demonstrate at stations

Reflection questions:

  • "What did you learn about your talents?"

  • "How might you use this skill to help others?"

Closing Celebration (2 min)

Faith Connection: "In the Parable of Talents, the master said, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.' You've been faithful stewards of your time and talents. Keep developing your gifts for God's glory!"

Closing Prayer: "Thank You, God, for these weeks of exploration. Thank You for unique gifts and time to develop them. Help us use everything we've learned to serve You and others. Amen."

✅ Assessment

  • Completed Choice Lab passport with reflections

  • Engaged productively at stations

  • Showed growth in chosen areas

  • Connected work to talents and service

📎 Home Connection

"We completed STREAM Choice Labs! Ask your child: 'Which stations did you like best?' 'What talents did you discover or develop?' 'How might you use these skills?' Encourage continued exploration at home. Talk about the Parable of Talents and how we're all called to develop and use our unique gifts."

Unit Version: 1.0 | Last Updated: 2025-12-05