Catholic STEM (or C+STEM). What is this? STEM is a curriculum based on educating students in four specific disciplines – science, technology, engineering, and mathematics – in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. A C+STEM PK-8 program is designed to empower students to intellectually adapt to a constantly changing workplace and world by exciting their learning through experiential and problem-solving strategies. The Catholic component of this program embraces global awareness of the world and of the student as a citizen of the world. Coincidentally, we begin this program as Pope Francis issues the encyclical Laudato Si, an encyclical on the environment and we as stewards of God’s creation. A C+STEM program provides a focus for students to show appreciation, care and reverence for God’s creation. This program begins with a fully installed and equipped Science Lab and a spiraling curriculum. We are developing a three-year plan which over time will see: The addition of an outdoor vegetable garden and a solar powered greenhouse to grow food that will be used for our St. Vincent de Paul ministry and for Catholic Charities; Robotic and bio-med experiences; Real-world problem solving inventions that our students will discern and create