2018 BASH TO BENEFIT CATHOLIC STEM PROGRAMS
This year, the second annual Catholic Schools Center of Excellence Bash will support excellence in C-STEM: science, technology, engineering and math education taught with the backdrop of the Catholic faith.
“As we prepare young people to help solve the world’s most pressing problems, the ‘C’ in C-STEM is critically important,” said Mike Halloran, the Catholic Schools Center of Excellence (CSCOE) vice president of development and operations. “STEM subjects may seem secular, but there is a true beauty to the world, the universe and creation when they are seen with the eye of faith.”
In addition, he said, “The data we have on future occupations clearly point to STEM education being as important as reading and writing.”
To better position today’s kindergarten through eighth grade students to become tomorrow’s scientists, great thinkers and leaders, CSCOE will support the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis’ elementary schools in two main areas: teacher training and development, and a STEM lending library.
Through professional skills development and collaboration with one another, teachers will learn new ways to incorporate technology and innovative techniques into their classrooms. This summer, for example, funding from CSCOE will enable 100 C-STEM teachers to join about 16,000 other educators at the annual conference organized by the Washington, D.C.-based International Society for Technology in Education.
“STEM subjects may seem secular, but there is a true beauty to the world, the universe and creation when they are seen with the eye of faith.”
For the STEM lending library, in partnership with the University of St. Thomas Engineering School in St. Paul, CSCOE will develop a collection of resources that Catholic schools can use and share — such as a portable planetarium — for a week or two at a time.
“STEM resources can be expensive, so the lending library will enable all schools to have access to new and innovative equipment and materials they may not otherwise be able to purchase on their own,” Halloran said.
CSCOE aims to raise $1.2 million this year to support these and other C-STEM efforts, in part with funds from the Bash.
“All of that will be allocated in C-STEM resources and support to all 79 Catholic K-8 schools in the archdiocese,” Halloran noted. “That averages out to almost $15,000 per school.”
The CSCOE Bash will take place Saturday, May 5 at the Hilton Minneapolis downtown. The event begins at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour, followed by dinner and a program. For more information, visit CSCOEBash.org.
