Steno Learning Program

The Steno Learning Program in Faith and Science:

A Seminar for Catholic Secondary Educators

June 16th-22nd, 2013

St. Joseph Seminary College

Covington, LA

Program Description:

This program, named after the Catholic saint and scientist Blessed Nicholas Steno (1638-1686), is  a week-long summer learning program sponsored by the Pope Benedict XVI Institute for Faith, Ethics and Science of McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, Mobile, Alabama.  The goal of the Steno Learning Program (SLP) is to educate science and religion teachers from Catholic high schools throughout the United States regarding the relationship that exists between the Catholic Faith and modern science so as to assist them in educating their own students.  Through the SLP, the Institute seeks to help Catholic high school teachers in their mission of forming young Catholics into believing thinkers and thinking believers for Christian leadership in the Third Millennium.

SLP will involve a week-long seminar on the relationship between Catholic theology and science.  A seven day seminar curriculum will include readings and discussions on the major issues in the faith-science relationship, such as Church history, Sacred Scripture and modern science, evolution and faith, divine causality, etc.  The relationship will be considered from three angles: scientific, philosophical, and theological.

Teachers participating in the week-long learning program will receive a library of books to be read in preparation for the seminar and a $350 stipend for participation.  All expenses except travel will also be covered for all participants.

SLP 2013 is funded in its entirety by a grant from the John Templeton Foundation as a “Science in Dialogue” Funding Priority.

Program Moderator:

Christopher T. Baglow, Ph.D. – Director, Pope Benedict XVI Institute for Faith, Ethics and Science; Professor of Dogmatic Theology, Notre Dame Seminary (New Orleans, LA); Author of Faith, Science and Reason: Theology on the Cutting Edge (Chicago: Midwest Theological, 2009)

Visiting Co-Moderators

Stephen M. Barr, Ph.D. – Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Bartol Research Institute of the University of Delaware; Author of Modern Physics and Ancient Faith (Notre Dame, IN: Univ. of Notre Dame Press, 2006)

Cory J. Hayes, M.A., Ph.D. Cand. – Associate Professor of Philosophy and Theology, Our Lady of Holy Cross College (New Orleans, LA)

Rebecca Maloney, Ph.D. – SLP Implementation and Assessment Director; Associate Superintendent for Secondary Education, Archdiocese of New Orleans; Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Notre Dame Seminary, New Orleans; Chair, Department of Education, Our Lady of Holy Cross College, New Orleans (2006-2009); Associate Professor of Education, Our Lady of Holy Cross College, New Orleans (2002-2011)

Matt J. Rossano, Ph.D. – Professor of Psychology, Southeastern Louisiana University (Hammond, LA); Former Templeton Foundation Science and Religion Course Competition Prize Winner and Metanexus Local Societies Initiative Grant Awardee; Author of Supernatural Selection: How Religion Evolved (Oxford Univ. Press, 2010)

Chaplain:

Fr. Peter Stravinskas – Founder of The Catholic Answer and The Catholic Response; Author of thirty-four books (including Our Sunday Visitor’s Catholic Encyclopedia); Founder and superior of the Priestly Society of the Venerable John Henry Cardinal Newman; Executive Director of the Catholic Education Foundation.

Confirmed Participating Educators in SLP 2013:

Ms. Ann Smart, M.A. – Environmental Science,Genetics, Marine Science, Anatomy and Physiology, Cabrini H.S., New Orleans, LA

Ms. Denise Theriot – Religion IV, Cabrini H.S., New Orleans, LA

Ms. Marielle Sallo, M.A. – AP Chemistry, AB Calculus, San Gabriel Mission High School, San Gabriel, CA

Ms. Alma Rivas, M.A. – Religion 10, San Gabriel Mission High School, San Gabriel, CA

Mr. Jeff Finke – Physics, Covington Latin School, Covington, KY

Mr. Adam Iadapaolo, S.T.L. – Theology, Covington Latin School, Covington, KY

Mr. Erik Waters, M.S. – AP Biology, Biology, Oceanography, Bishop T.K. Gorman Regional Catholic, Tyler, TX

Ms. Judy Ruesewald Carney – Theology 8, Theology 6, Bishop T.K. Gorman Regional Catholic, Tyler, TX

Fr. David Carucci, M.Div. – Biology, Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School, Montgomery, AL

Mr. Tom Riello, M.A. – Sacraments, Old and New Testament, Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School, Montgomery, AL

Ms. Stephanie Coulter, M.A. – Physics, AP Environmental, AP Physics, Springfield Catholic High School, Springfield, MO

Mr. Bobby Cornelison – Freshman Theology, Springfield Catholic High School, Springfield, MO

Dr. Denise Mari, Ph.D. – Biology, St. Therese Academy, Bronx, NY

Ms. Lynn Knapke – Theology, St. Therese Academy, Bronx, NY

Mr. David Kubisch, M.S. - Chemistry, Honors Chemistry, Advanced Chemistry, Algebra 1, Xavier High School, Appleton, WI

Mr. Steve Hurula – Junior Theology, World Religions, Xavier High School, Appleton, WI

Ms. Catherine Babbitt, M.Ed. – Science, St. Francis H.S., Traverse City, MI

Ms. Trish Zamarron – Theology, St. Francis H.S., Traverse City, MI

Ms. Mary Tong – Physical Science, Biology, Saint Augustine Academy, Ventura, CA

Mr. Nicholas Zepeda – Moral Theology, Latin, Logic, History, Saint Augustine Academy, Ventura, CA

Mr. Jason Allen, M.Ed. – Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science, Physical Science, Manistee Catholic Central, Manistee, MI

Mr. Mark Dunphey – 8th-12th Religion, Manistee Catholic Central, Manistee, MI

Ms. Samantha Gay, M.S. – Biology, Earth Science, Pensacola Catholic High School, Pensacola, FL

Ms. Shannon Gottstine – Religion 10, Religion 11, Pensacola Catholic High School, Pensacola, FL

Ms. Stacey Mathews – Science, Lumen Christi Catholic High School, Jackson, MI

Ms. Nancy Alcombright, M.S. – Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Immaculate Heart High School, Tucson, AZ

Mr. David Maciborski – Theology, Immaculate Heart High School, Tucson, AZ

Ms. Colleen Flanagan – Chemistry, Physics, Red Bank Catholic, Red Bank, NJ

Ms. Alycia Bischoff, M.T.S. – Paschal Mystery/Church, Church/Social Justice, Red Bank Catholic, Red Bank, NJ

Mrs. Laura Smith, M.A. – Chemistry, Physics, AP Chemistry, AP Biology, Biology, Everest Collegiate High School, Clarkston, MI

Mr. Shane Dabney, M.A. – Faith and Revelation, Everest Collegiate High School, Clarkston, MI

Participating Educators in SLP 2012:

Ms. Virginia Dabdoub – Biology, Mt. Carmel Academy, New Orleans, LA

Ms. Kimberly Duhe, MRE – Theology, Mt. Carmel Academy, New Orleans, LA

Ms. Rebecca Weber – Chemistry and Honors Chemistry, St. Catherine of Siena Academy, Wixom, MI

Mrs. Barbara Kirwan, M.A. – Theology, St. Catherine of Siena Academy, Wixom, MI

Mr. Kyle Albarado, Ph.D. cand. -  Biology, Earth Science, Physics, Cognitive Science, John Paul The Great Academy, Lafayette, LA

Mr. Nick Trosclair – Theology, John Paul The Great Academy, Lafayette, LA

Mr. Tim Parker, M.S. – Biology, Cistercian Preparatory School, Irving, TX

Br. John Bayer, O. Cist., M.A. – Theology, Cistercian Preparatory School, Irving, TX

Mr. Jamie Anson – Biology and Physical Science, St. Michael the Archangel H.S., Baton Rouge, LA

Ms. Kimberly Monteleone, Theology, St. Michael the Archangel H.S., Baton Rouge, LA

Mr. Ronald Collins, M.A. -  Astronomy, Holy Family High School, Broomfield, CO

Mr. Timothy Gallic – Theology, Holy Family High School, Broomfield, CO

Dr. Anne Smith, Ph.D. – Physics, Carmel Catholic High School, Mundelein, IL

Mr. Jeff Ptacek – Catholic Morality, Sacraments, Social Justice, Church History, Carmel Catholic High School, Mundelein, IL

Ms. Rosalie Wisniew  – Freshman and Sophomore Biology, Cathedral Catholic High School, San Diego, CA

Ms. Sandy Blackstone-Gardner, M.A. – Religion, Sacraments, Campus Ministry, Cathedral Catholic High School, San Diego, CA

Mr. James Lear – Honors Physics, College Equivalency Physics, Oakland Catholic H.S., Pittsburgh, PA

Ms. Maria Colonna, STL -  Junior year Religion, Oakland Catholic H.S., Pittsburgh, PA

Mr. Jeff Voelker, M.A. – Physics, Engineering, Math, Serra Catholic H.S., McKeesport, PA

Mr. Tim Crossen, M.A. – Catholic Social Thought, Living with Christ II, Serra Catholic H.S., McKeesport, PA

Mr. Dennis Brehm – Geophysical Science, Physics, Physics AP, Bishop Machebeuf H.S., Denver, CO

Mr. Edward Moran, M.A. – Old Testament, New Testament, Bishop Machebeuf H.S., Denver, CO

Ms. Meloni DiPietro-Guthoerl, M.Ed. – AP Biology, Biology, Seton-La Salle Catholic High School, Pittsburgh, PA

Ms. Stefani F. Sobol-Pastor, M.R.S. – Social Justice, Vocations, Sacraments, Morality, Seton-La Salle Catholic High School, Pittsburgh, PA

Mr. Michael A. Traficante, M.S. – General Science, Honors Chemistry, AP Statistics, Central Catholic H.S., Pittsburgh, PA

Mr. Brad Leeman, M.A. – Religion (10 and 11), Central Catholic H.S., Pittsburgh, PA

Mr. John Clauss, M.S. – Biology, Computer Skills, Berks Catholic High School, Reading, PA

Mr. Chad Olivard – Faith and Revelation, The Holy Trinity, Berks Catholic High School, Reading, PA

Ms. Sonia George, M.Phys. – Chemistry and Earth Science, Opelousas Catholic H.S., Opelousas, LA

Mrs. Jennie Stelly, M.A. – New Testament and Morality, Opelousas Catholic H.S., Opelousas, LA

Mr. Andrew Woodard – Biology, Zoology, McGill-Toolen Catholic H.S., Mobile, AL

Mr. David Anderson – Old Testament, New Testament, Church History, McGill-Toolen Catholic H.S., Mobile, AL

Dr. Lisa Griffin, Ph.D. – Science, McGill-Toolen Catholic H.S., Mobile, AL

Ms. Malory Peterson, M.A. – Physical Science, Physics, Regis Jesuit H.S., Aurora, CO

Mr. Jeff Goldsmith, M.A. – Scripture, Social Justice, Regis Jesuit H.S., Aurora, CO

Ms. Elizabeth Hegarty – Mathematics, Physics, Cathedral H.S., Springfield, MA

Mr. Perry Lamkin, M.A.T. – Religion, Cathedral H.S., Springfield, MA

Program Inspiration and Namesake – Blessed Nicholas Steno:

In the history of the Church, there is no better inspiration for the SLP, nor embodiment of its potential for enduring impact, than Blessed Nicholas Steno (also known as Niels Stensen).  A scientific pioneer, Steno made fundamental contributions to four branches of science: anatomy, paleontology, geology, and crystallography.  His anatomical studies greatly increased knowledge of the glandular-lymphatic system.  Various parts of the body are named after him, including Stensen’s duct, Stensen’s gland, Stensen’s vein, and Stensen’s foramina.  He also did important work on heart and muscle structure, brain anatomy, and embryology.

(Steno as a young scientist)

In 1666, while he was dissecting the head of a Great White shark that had been caught near Livorno, he noticed that the teeth of the shark bore a strong resemblance to the so-called tongue-stones that were common on the island of Malta.  This led him to develop a detailed theory of the origin of fossils and of sedimentary rock that was very controversial at that time, but was essentially correct.  He is thus regarded as the founder of the study of fossils and of the science of stratigraphy, an essential branch of geology. Steno’s theory of how geological strata were laid down allowed people to begin to understand the history of the earth.

(Sketch of fossil by Steno)

After a brilliant scientific career and a conversion to Catholicism, Steno retired from scientific research to become a priest, and was soon elevated to the episcopacy, where his ardent spirituality and care for the poor earned him recognition in his day as well as beatification in 1988.  In his last public lecture as a scientist he offered to history one of the greatest descriptions of the relationship between nature, our grasp of truth, and the absolute mystery of God:

Beautiful is what we see.

More beautiful is what we comprehend.

Most beautiful is what we do not comprehend.

This short aphorism captures the enduring impact which the Steno Learning Program will have — the creation of a culture of Catholic secondary education which approaches and embraces reality in its integral unity, including truths about nature, humanity, and God, and offers to students a compelling vision of reality in which faith and science are complementary and enriching paths of knowledge.