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🙋 C-STREAM Volunteer Guide

Location: Our Lady of the Prairie Catholic School · Belle Plaine, MN · Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

Thank you for volunteering in our C-STREAM classroom! This guide will help you support hands-on, faith-integrated STEM learning.

🎯 Your Role as a Volunteer

You ARE here to:

✅ Support students as they work
✅ Encourage when things don't work the first time
✅ Ask questions that help students think
✅ Assist with materials and supplies
✅ Celebrate effort and creativity
✅ Model curiosity and wonder

You are NOT expected to:

❌ Know all the answers (it's okay to say "Let's find out together!")
❌ Do the work for students
❌ Teach the lesson (the teacher leads instruction)
❌ Grade or evaluate student work
❌ Discipline students (refer behavior issues to the teacher)

📅 Before You Arrive

What to Know

  • Arrival time: _____________

  • End time: _____________

  • Where to meet: _____________

  • What to wear: Comfortable clothes that can get messy

  • What to bring: Just yourself! (We provide materials)

Check with the Teacher

  • What is today's activity?

  • What grade level?

  • Any students with special needs I should know about?

  • Where should I be stationed?

School Requirements

  • Signed volunteer form on file

  • Background check completed (Archdiocesan requirement)

  • Sign in at the office

⏱️ Typical C-STREAM Session

Time What's Happening Your Role
Opening (2-3 min) Prayer, wonder question Participate, model reverence
Introduction (5-10 min) Teacher explains activity Listen, prepare materials
Hands-On Time (15-25 min) Students build/create/explore Circulate, assist, encourage
Sharing (3-5 min) Students share work Listen, celebrate
Closing (2 min) Cleanup, closing prayer Help with cleanup

💬 How to Talk to Students

Instead of... Try...

Instead of... Try...
"That's wrong" "Tell me about your design"
"Do it this way" "What happens if you try...?"
"That won't work" "Interesting! What do you think will happen?"
"Let me fix it" "What could you change?"
"Good job!" "I noticed you tried 3 different ways—that's perseverance!"

Great Questions to Ask

To spark thinking:

  • "What are you trying to make?"

  • "What's your plan?"

  • "What do you think will happen?"

When they're stuck:

  • "What have you tried so far?"

  • "What could you try next?"

  • "Who could you ask for ideas?"

After testing:

  • "What happened?"

  • "What worked well?"

  • "What would you change?"

Faith connections:

  • "What does this teach you about God's creation?"

  • "How could this help someone?"

  • "What are you grateful for in this project?"

🔧 Common Volunteer Tasks

Before Class

  • Set out materials at stations

  • Count supplies (enough for each group)

  • Test technology if applicable (iPads charged, apps open)

  • Prepare any teacher-requested materials

During Class

  • Circulate among groups

  • Distribute additional supplies as needed

  • Help with technology issues (basic troubleshooting)

  • Encourage struggling students

  • Redirect off-task behavior gently ("What's your next step?")

  • Take photos if requested (check photo policy first!)

After Class

  • Help students clean up their areas

  • Sort and organize materials

  • Count/inventory supplies

  • Wipe down tables if needed

  • Debrief with teacher (What went well? Any concerns?)

🛠️ Working with Different Ages

Kindergarten (25-minute sessions)

  • Need lots of support — Stay close, help with fine motor tasks

  • Short attention spans — Keep them focused on one step at a time

  • Encourage exploration — There's no "wrong" at this age

  • Celebrate everything — "Look what you made!"

Grades 1-2 (30-minute sessions)

  • Building independence — Let them try before helping

  • Reading support — They may need instructions read aloud

  • Partner work — Help them collaborate nicely

  • Encourage iteration — "What if you tried it again?"

Grades 3-4 (40-minute sessions)

  • More independent — Step back, observe, intervene less

  • Group dynamics — Help ensure everyone participates

  • Deeper questions — Push their thinking with "why" and "how"

  • Documentation — May need help recording their process

Grades 5-6 (45-minute sessions)

  • Very independent — Your role is mostly material support

  • Complex projects — Ask about their design thinking

  • Leadership opportunities — Can they help others?

  • Critical thinking — Challenge them to go deeper

🚨 What to Do When...

A student is frustrated

  1. Acknowledge feelings: "This is tricky, isn't it?"
  2. Normalize struggle: "Real engineers face problems too!"
  3. Focus on process: "What have you tried?"
  4. Suggest a break: "Take a breath, then look again"
  5. Celebrate effort: "I see you're not giving up!"

A project "fails"

  1. Reframe it: "That's data! Now you know what doesn't work."
  2. Connect to learning: "What did you learn from this?"
  3. Encourage iteration: "How could you change it?"
  4. Share stories: "Even famous inventors failed many times!"

Students are arguing

  1. Stay neutral: "What's the disagreement about?"
  2. Facilitate: "Can you each share your idea?"
  3. Problem-solve: "Is there a way to try both?"
  4. Involve teacher if needed

You don't know the answer

  1. Be honest: "Great question! I'm not sure."
  2. Model learning: "Let's think about this together."
  3. Ask the student: "What do YOU think?"
  4. Check with teacher if needed

A student is off-task

  1. Redirect gently: "What step are you on?"
  2. Give a job: "Can you be the materials manager?"
  3. Move closer: Sometimes proximity is enough
  4. Involve teacher for persistent issues

Technology doesn't work

  1. Basic troubleshooting: Restart app, check connections
  2. Have a backup: Paper and pencil work too!
  3. Pair students: Share working devices
  4. Stay calm: Tech problems happen to everyone

✝️ Faith Integration Tips

C-STREAM isn't just STEM—it's Catholic STEM! Help students make faith connections:

Simple Connections

  • "Isn't it amazing that God created all of this?"

  • "How does this show God's love for us?"

  • "Engineers help people—just like we're called to do!"

  • "What can this teach us about being patient like God is with us?"

When Students Struggle

  • "God doesn't give up on us, and we don't give up on our projects!"

  • "Making mistakes is part of how God helps us learn."

  • "Let's ask God to help us figure this out."

During Teamwork

  • "How are we showing kindness to our teammates?"

  • "Jesus worked with a team too—his disciples!"

  • "Using our talents together is how we serve God."

📋 Volunteer Quick Reference Card

C-STREAM VOLUNTEER QUICK GUIDE

DO:

  • Ask questions, don't give answers

  • Encourage every attempt

  • Let them struggle a little (productive struggle!)

  • Celebrate effort, not just success

  • Connect to faith when natural

SAY:

  • "Tell me about your design"

  • "What could you try next?"

  • "That's great problem-solving!"

  • "How does this help us appreciate God's creation?"

WHEN STUCK:

  • "What have you tried?"

  • "What's one thing you could change?"

  • "Can you ask a classmate?"

REMEMBER:

  • It's okay not to know the answer

  • "Failure" is learning

  • Process matters more than product

  • You're modeling curiosity!

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What if I'm not good at science/technology?
A: That's okay! You're here to support and encourage, not teach. Your enthusiasm matters more than expertise.

Q: Can I help my own child's class?
A: Usually yes! Check with the teacher about classroom policies.

Q: What if a student says something about faith I don't know how to answer?
A: It's fine to say, "That's a great question! Let's ask [teacher] or you could ask your parents."

Q: Should I post photos on social media?
A: Please don't post photos of students without explicit school permission. Many families have privacy concerns.

Q: How often should I volunteer?
A: Whatever works for you! Weekly, monthly, or special events—all help is appreciated.

Q: What if I can't make my scheduled time?
A: Let the teacher know as soon as possible so they can adjust plans.

🙏 Volunteer Prayer

Before serving:

Lord, thank You for the opportunity to serve these children. Help me encourage their curiosity, celebrate their efforts, and point them toward You in all they learn. Give me patience when things are challenging and joy in their discoveries. Amen.

📞 Contact

Questions? Contact [Teacher Name] at [email]

School Office: [Phone number]

Emergency: Notify the classroom teacher immediately

🌟 Thank You!

Your time and presence make a real difference. Students learn better with extra support, and your enthusiasm for their learning matters!

"Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." — Matthew 19:14

Last updated: December 2025