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🚀 Week 1: Welcome to C-STREAM

Lesson Overview
Grade Level Grades 5-6
Duration 45 minutes
STREAM Focus Introduction to all STREAM areas with leadership emphasis

Week 1: Welcome to C-STREAM

🎯 Learning Objectives

STEM Objectives

Students will be able to: 1. Explain the C-STREAM philosophy and approach 2. Set advanced learning goals for the year 3. Understand the expectations for upper-grade STREAM students 4. Begin developing leadership mindset

Faith Integration Objectives

Students will be able to: 1. Articulate the Catholic understanding of faith and reason 2. Commit to being faith-leaders in STREAM 3. Recognize their role as role models for younger students

Week 1: Welcome to C-STREAM

🙏 Faith-Reason Integration

Catholic Teaching Connection

Faith and Reason as Wings — Pope St. John Paul II wrote in "Fides et Ratio" that faith and reason are "like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth." As upper-grade students, you become witnesses to this harmony.

Scripture Connection

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." — Romans 12:2

Saint Connection

St. Thomas Aquinas — The great Catholic philosopher and theologian who integrated faith and reason in his work. He proved that rigorous thinking leads to, not away from, God.

📚 Materials Needed

  • C-STREAM vision poster

  • Goal-setting worksheets

  • Leadership reflection journals

  • Fides et Ratio excerpt (simplified)

  • Student interest surveys

📝 Lesson Procedure (45 minutes)

Opening Prayer & Introduction (6 min)

Prayer: "Lord, You gave us minds to seek truth and hearts to seek You. As we begin this year of C-STREAM, unite our learning and our faith. Make us leaders who show others that knowing You and knowing Your creation go together. Transform our minds. Amen."

Upper-Grade Welcome:

  • "You're the senior STREAM students in our school"

  • "This year, you'll lead, create, and mentor"

  • "Let's make this year extraordinary!"

Faith and Reason Deep Dive (12 min)

Explore the relationship:

Key teaching: Faith and reason are NOT enemies!

  • Some people think you have to choose — that's FALSE

  • The Catholic Church has ALWAYS supported science

  • Many great scientists were (and are) people of faith

Pope St. John Paul II's insight:

"Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth."

Discussion:

  • "What does this mean?"

  • "How can faith HELP science?"

  • "How can science DEEPEN faith?"

Examples:

  • Science asks HOW — Faith asks WHY

  • Science reveals CREATION — Faith reveals CREATOR

  • Truth cannot contradict truth!

St. Thomas Aquinas:

  • Combined the best of ancient philosophy with Christian faith

  • Showed that reason leads to God

  • His work is still studied 800 years later!

Challenge: "This year, YOU will live this harmony. You'll show younger students that faith and learning belong together."

Advanced Goal Setting (15 min)

Goal areas:

1. STREAM Skills

  • What technical skill do you want to master?

  • What project do you want to create?

  • What area do you want to explore deeply?

2. Leadership

  • How will you help younger students?

  • What example will you set?

  • How will you contribute to our community?

3. Faith Integration

  • How will you grow spiritually through STREAM?

  • How will you help others see faith in learning?

  • What Catholic scientist or saint inspires you?

SMART goal development: Students write one detailed goal for each area using SMART framework.

Partner share: Discuss goals and commit to accountability.

Community Expectations (8 min)

Upper-grade expectations:

Excellence:

  • Highest quality work

  • Going beyond minimum requirements

  • Pursuing mastery, not just completion

Leadership:

  • Modeling positive behavior

  • Helping classmates and younger students

  • Taking initiative

Faith Integration:

  • Leading prayer with understanding

  • Making explicit faith connections

  • Being witnesses to faith-reason harmony

Collaboration:

  • Working effectively in teams

  • Giving and receiving constructive feedback

  • Building others up

Create class covenant: Students contribute to commitments.

Closing & Vision Casting (4 min)

Preview exciting year:

  • Advanced coding and robotics

  • micro:bit physical computing

  • Independent projects

  • Leadership opportunities

  • Capstone showcase

Faith Connection: "St. Thomas Aquinas said, 'All that is true, by whomsoever it has been said, is from the Holy Spirit.' When you discover truth — in science, math, or any learning — you're discovering something from God. Let's have a year of discovering God together!"

Closing Prayer: "Lord, we commit this year to You. Transform our minds through learning. Strengthen our faith through discovery. Make us leaders who show the world that faith and reason are wings that lift us to You. Amen."

✅ Assessment

  • Articulated faith-reason relationship

  • Set SMART goals for skills, leadership, and faith

  • Contributed to community expectations

  • Demonstrated leadership mindset

📎 Home Connection

"Your child is beginning their year as a senior C-STREAM student! We discussed how faith and reason work together. Ask your child: 'What did you learn about faith and reason?' 'What are your goals this year?' 'How will you be a leader?' As upper-grade students, they'll model excellence and faith integration. Thank you for your partnership!"

Lesson Version: 1.0 | **