The Brother Martin religion and science departments recently collaborated to bring awareness and drug education to our chemistry students...

Our chemistry students recently completed a drug education project that was a collaboration between the science and religion departments. The project required each student to research, write, and deliver a presentation on the physiological, emotional, and moral effects of psychoactive chemicals. The project began with a guided conversation between each student and their parents before diving into the research and report areas of the project. Once all research was completed, each student was required to make a presentation to his peers to explain what he learned. The project dealt with the physical and chemical effects of psychoactive substances, allowing students to understand what drugs do to the normal function of neurotransmitters in the brain.

Juniors explored the relationship between Catholic Social Teaching and drug use as well. By applying the 4C’s, a methodology for learning, students were able to address this topic with openness, critical thinking, collaboration, and creative problem-solving.  

Do you not know that your body is a temple 

of the Holy Spirit within you, 

whom you have from God, and 

that you are not your own? 

For you have been purchased at a price. 

Therefore, glorify God in your body.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Students then selected two strategies for the prevention of drug use and then developed a lesson plan for each strategy. They then engaged their imagination, pretending to be a Licensed Professional Counselor helping a client suffering from substance abuse as they come to grasp concepts of religion and spirituality for the first time. The project concluded with a presentation to our Crusaders by a guest speaker. 

We are pleased that our Crusaders were able to learn so much from this excellent collaboration!