STEM & ALL SCHOOL SCIENCE

2023 Construction Science grades 1-3

Science Lab

St. Patrick School's Science program offers exclusive curriculum provided by NASA GLOBE Teacher

Classroom Highlights

Our classroom philosophy for learning is that each child is unique and learns in a different way. One of my jobs as a teacher is to help your child discover his or her individuality and work with them to maximize it. I have very high expectations of myself as a teacher as well as of my students. My goal is to create a community of learners who are committed to working hard and feel challenged. I want students to leave my classroom feeling confident that they can apply what they’ve learned in school to real-life situations.

Mrs. Wickenheiser, Teacher

Along with providing an exclusive curriculum integrated with GLOBE protocol and NASA, Mrs. Wickenheiser also contributes as 2018's State of Michigan Agricultural Science Teacher of the Year as well as serves as a chairman of the YMCA Camps STEM Outdoor Education programs.

Classroom Website: http://mwickenheiser.educatorpages.com

About Mrs. Wickenheiser

Hello, My name is Maureen Wickenheiser. I live in Carleton on our family farm with my husband, Joe. I have 3 children Emily, Sydney, and Ryan and a wonderful daughter-in-law, Chelsea. I am a BIG football fan! I also enjoy watching baseball, cooking, reading, and spending time playing with my grand-daughter, Rowan.

I attended the University of Michigan (both undergraduate and graduate), Marygrove, and the University of Detroit-Mercy. I am a NASA Globe teacher. I have been a guest lecturer at Eastern Michigan University in the Reading Masters Program, am a Teacher Trainer for Differentiated Instruction, and have served on the State of Michigan Test for Teacher Certification Social Studies Review Committee. In 2018 I was Blessed to be named the Agricultural Teacher of the Year by the State of Michigan and be recognized at the National Level.

This is my 26th year teaching. I have been in Catholic School Education for the past 24 years. I am a certified Catechist and have completed the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level 1. I previously taught at St. Charles Borromeo in Newport and at Our Lady Queen of Angels in Detroit before coming to St. Patrick.

My philosophy for learning is that each child is unique and learns in a different way. I believe my job as a teacher is to help children discover their individuality and work with them to maximize it. I love all of the subjects that I teach, but it is my goal to instill a passion for reading, writing, problem solving, and project-based learning across the curriculum in my students as well as to create a community of learners who are committed to working hard and feeling challenged. I want students to leave my classroom feeling confident that they can apply what they’ve learned in school to real-life situations.

Overview of Science Curriculum

At St. Patrick School, Science learning involves an interdependent relationship that is necessary for coming to an understanding of God’s harmonious creation that will position students to co-partner with God, to know as we are known, in the transforming of culture. Students are given the opportunity to verbalize their understandings through various pedagogical strategies that include pairing up, small group work, debates, collaborative projects, sharing requiring thoughtful and authentic questions, and whole group discussions. This process is a journey to and with God in order to become responsive and transformative. The curriculum helps the students of the science learning community travel together, including the plan, enactment, and experience of relevant issues, concepts, ideas, and skills that are central to the catechism of the Catholic Church.

Our Science Curriculum addresses what makes scientific facts credible; how do new disciplines emerge; and how does science relate to religion? The curriculum also explores the spiritual, moral, and ethical impacts and control of science and technology, with particular focus on the risks that science and technology may pose to peace, security, community, democracy, environmental sustainability, and human values.

Past Science Fair that St Patrick School has participated and placed at:

Monroe County Science Fair

Science and Engineering Fair of Metro Detroit

Midwest Regional Symposium NASA GLOBE GLOBE Mission Earth's Satellite Student Conference- SATELLITES (Students And Teachers Exploring Local Landscapes to Interpret The Earth from Space)