STREAM Instruction

Science in STREAM Education at St. Joseph Catholic School
Curiosity, Faith, and Real-World Problem Solving

In STREAM education, Science plays a vital role in nurturing curiosity, exploration, and critical thinking. Our students approach science through a faith-based, logical, and global lens, helping them develop solutions to real-world problems that extend beyond the classroom.

Science and Stewardship
From Kindergarten through Eighth Grade, students engage in hands-on science learning, particularly through the exploration of stewardship and environmental science. The school garden serves as an outdoor extension of the classroom, where students learn to care for creation by engaging in real-world science activities. They explore questions such as:

• What should we plant, and when?
• When is the best time to prep the raised beds, fertilize, sow, maintain, harvest, and clean them?

This year-round process integrates the scientific method with faith-based values, and offers students service opportunities, even during the summer months, to deepen their connection to the environment and their community.

Technology in Science
Technology supports our science curriculum by providing students with tools for design, creation, and testing. Students in all grades (Prek–8) have access to iPads, both in the classroom and outside in the garden, to enhance their learning. Each student in grades 1–8 also has access to science e-books, and middle school students utilize Vernier probe-ware and data collection devices for hands-on experiments and data analysis.

Religion and Science
At St. Joseph Catholic School, we believe that faith and science go hand in hand. In fact, the Vatican itself has an observatory and science group dedicated to exploring the mysteries of the universe. Our science curriculum integrates Religion by encouraging students to see God's creation in the natural world. For example, middle school students explore astronomy through the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics' YouthAstroNet program, which includes astrophotography. We look forward to sharing the amazing results of these student explorations!

Engineering in Science
Engineering skills are essential in the problem-solving process. Our in-class Maker Space provides students with the opportunity to brainstorm, build prototypes, and model their ideas. This hands-on approach is essential in the engineering design process and complements their scientific explorations.

Art and Mathematics in Science
Art and Mathematics are integral to the scientific process. Art is used throughout the engineering and design process, from sketching initial concepts to crafting prototypes. Mathematics is applied in measuring, analyzing data, recognizing patterns, and using spatial reasoning. Through these interdisciplinary connections, students develop a deeper understanding of the concepts they explore. Middle school students also use apps like Physics Playground and NASA’s Sector 33CE to blend math and science in engaging and interactive ways.

The STREAM Cycle
Science in STREAM isn’t just about learning facts—it’s about applying knowledge to identify problems, discover solutions, design and build prototypes, test and evaluate results, and ultimately share solutions with others. Science, in all its forms, flows throughout the STREAM process, helping students develop critical thinking, creativity, and faith-based problem-solving skills that will serve them for years to come.

Technology at St. Joseph Catholic School
Empowering Students with Cutting-Edge Tools for the Future

At St. Joseph Catholic School, technology is fully integrated into every classroom, supporting our strong academic program and preparing students for the demands of the 21st century. From interactive displays to hands-on learning tools, our students engage with technology in innovative ways that enhance their education.

Classroom Technology
Each classroom is equipped with Interactive TruTouch Flat Panels, allowing teachers to deliver dynamic, interactive lessons. In addition, every classroom has a bank of desktop computers that students use daily for research, learning activities, and digital skills development. Rolling laptop and iPad carts, containing class sets of devices, are available for collaborative projects and research assignments.

Our Unique Technology Lab
Our Technology Lab is designed to inspire creativity and hands-on learning. It includes:

• Short tables with soft seating for laptop work
• Tall tables for Robotics and laptop activities
• Standard-sized tables for traditional computer-based instruction

To keep things organized, separate carts store our robots and laptops, ensuring they are always charged and ready for use. The lab is also home to a 3D printer (on a dedicated cart) for printing student creations, and multiple glass dry-erase boards for collaborative group work. Students can connect their devices to a Smart projector, enabling them to share their work with the class.

Weekly Technology Lab Visits
Students in Kindergarten through 8th grade visit the Tech Lab weekly, where they learn essential digital skills such as:

• Operating a web browser
• Logging in to websites like IXL, Typing.com, Microsoft Office, and Code.org
• Navigating the St. Joseph Student Technology Resource page, which provides tools to improve keyboard skills, mouse control, and other tech competencies.

Robotics and Coding
Throughout the year, students engage with a variety of robots, each designed to teach different aspects of programming and problem-solving:

• Sphero Bolt
• Ozobot Bit
• Wonder Workshop Dash and Dot

Students learn to input coding commands via computers, tablets, or even marker-based programming. These hands-on activities help students develop critical thinking and computational skills in an interactive, engaging way.

Engineering and 3D Printing
Our 3D printer is used in specific projects, helping students bring their ideas to life with hands-on design and prototyping. We also use KidSpark Education mobile STEM kits, ROK Blocks, and Engineering Pathways to teach engineering concepts and simple machines. For creative expression, straw builders are available, allowing students to model their ideas in 3D.

Building Digital Fluency for Life
At St. Joseph Catholic School, technology isn’t just a tool—it’s an integral part of the learning process. From the Tech Lab to every classroom, our students are consistently exposed to technology, helping them become comfortable and proficient with digital tools. These skills are applied both inside and outside the classroom, preparing students for success in an increasingly tech-driven world.

Faith as the Foundation at St. Joseph Catholic School
Integrating Catholic Identity Across the Curriculum

At St. Joseph Catholic School, faith is the foundation of all we do. We believe that Catholic identity should be woven into every part of our curriculum, fostering both spiritual and academic growth in our students. Throughout the school year, students engage in meaningful projects that help them connect their faith with what they are learning.

Faith-Inspired Learning Across the Grades:

• Kindergarten: Our youngest students design Noah's Ark and build ladders to Heaven, learning about God's promises and the beauty of creation.

• 1st Grade: Students create posters about themselves and reflect on how they are special in God's eyes, understanding their worth and importance as children of God.

• 2nd Grade: In preparation for their First Communion, students craft a chalice out of clay, symbolizing their deep connection to the Eucharist and the sacredness of this sacrament.

• 3rd Grade: Students create a PowerPoint presentation about their heritage, exploring the idea that we are all special and equal in God's eyes, embracing both personal and global diversity.

• 4th Grade: Students dress as their favorite saint and participate in a saint parade, learning about the lives of saints and how these role models can inspire their faith journey.

• 5th Grade: Our 5th graders calculate how many years ago significant events from the Bible took place, helping them understand the historical context of Scripture and its relevance today.

• 6th Grade: Students build a scale model of our Cathedral, deepening their appreciation for the beauty of sacred architecture and the significance of church spaces in worship.

• 7th Grade: Students create Beatitude acrostic poems, reflecting on Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount and how these virtues can guide their lives.

• 8th Grade: As part of their Confirmation preparation, students create triptychs in art, PowerPoint “want ads”, and reports about their Confirmation saint, connecting with the lives of saints and preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation.

Engineering at St. Joseph Catholic School
Connecting Knowledge to Real-World Problem Solving

At St. Joseph Catholic School, engineering is about more than just building structures—it’s about applying knowledge to real-life situations and helping students "connect the dots" between what they learn and how it applies to the world around them.

Our elementary and middle school students are regularly engaged in hands-on design challenges that encourage them to think critically, solve problems, and work collaboratively. These projects foster creativity, innovation, and practical problem-solving skills that prepare students for future academic and career success.

By tackling real-world engineering problems, students gain valuable experience in:

• Critical Thinking: Analyzing challenges and developing solutions.
• Problem Solving: Using knowledge from math, science, and technology to design and test prototypes.
• Collaboration: Working together to design, build, and improve their projects.

Through these interactive experiences, students not only develop engineering skills but also learn to apply these skills to everyday life, making connections between their classroom learning and the world beyond.

Art at St. Joseph Catholic School
Where Creativity Meets STREAM Learning

At St. Joseph Catholic School, our Art program goes beyond the canvas, incorporating elements of STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art, and Math) to foster creativity, critical thinking, and hands-on learning throughout the year.

Our art students explore a wide range of subjects, connecting art with technology, religion, math, writing, history, and, of course, engineering—creating a holistic learning experience that engages them on multiple levels.

Pottery and Clay

In addition to animation, our students dive into the world of pottery and clay—one of the most exciting hands-on experiences in our state-of-the-art art room.

• Kindergarten, 1st, and 3rd–5th grade students engage in handbuilding projects, crafting unique pieces from clay, which are then fired in our kiln.

• We are proud to have 5 pottery wheels in our art room, providing students with the chance to work on the wheel and develop their skills in shaping clay.

Each year, students explore new techniques, creating more complex and refined pieces as they progress. For example:

• 2nd grade students create First Holy Communion Chalices on the pottery wheel, a special project that connects their faith with their artistic expression.
• In middle school, students tackle increasingly intricate projects, refining their pottery techniques and producing unique and more complex creations year after year.

At St. Joseph Catholic School, art is an exciting journey of creativity and discovery, where students not only develop technical skills but also learn to express their faith, solve problems, and integrate knowledge across multiple subjects. Whether they are animating characters, building with clay, or exploring the intersection of art and science, our students are given the tools to create, think, and innovate in meaningful ways.

Math in STREAM Education at St. Joseph Catholic School
Building Problem Solvers with Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills

At St. Joseph Catholic School, Math is a cornerstone of our STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art, and Math) curriculum. It’s not just about numbers—it’s about developing critical problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and logical reasoning that empower students to tackle real-world challenges.

Math as a Tool for Problem Solving

Math is fundamentally about solving problems. In our elementary and middle school classrooms, students learn the foundational concepts of number theory, algebra, geometry, and statistics. These mathematical principles form the building blocks for more advanced problem-solving techniques, both in math and in everyday life.

• In elementary school, math manipulatives are used to provide hands-on learning experiences, helping students visualize and understand abstract concepts. These tactile tools play an important role in reinforcing basic math skills and fostering a deeper understanding of number relationships.

• As students transition to middle school, the focus shifts to more abstract concepts, enhancing their ability to think critically and solve complex problems. This is where students begin to refine their problem-solving strategies and develop a more sophisticated understanding of math.

Real-World Applications of Math

The ultimate goal of our math STREAM instruction is to help students apply what they’ve learned to real-world problems. Whether it’s using geometry to design a structure in engineering, analyzing data for a science project, or applying statistics to social studies research, math becomes an essential tool for innovation and discovery.

Through the STREAM approach, students not only master mathematical concepts but also learn to use them in practical, meaningful ways that connect their classroom learning with the world outside.