Recommended Course by The Cardinal Newman Society
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?” —Job 38:4
The Foundations of Science introduces students to the wonders of the natural world in light of God’s providential care over creation.
Too often we hear messages that science is in conflict with faith, but Pope St. John Paul II wrote that faith and science “each can draw the other into a wider world, a world in which both can flourish.” Foundations seek to spawn this flourishing in the hearts and minds of students, guiding them into a world that will delight their imaginations and inspire awe in the marvelous power of God.
This eight-part series covers an extensive scope of scientific studies, from animals and plants, to the galaxies of outer space and the depths of the ocean, to cells and organisms, to the curiosities of chemistry and the marvels of our planet. Still more, it reveals the intricate order found beneath the surface of creation and chronicles many of the Church’s contributions to science throughout history.
Take a journey back to when God laid the foundation of the world with this groundbreaking science resource!
Oceans: Mysteries of the Deep
Oceans: Mysteries of the Deep plunges students below the giant, blue seas of our planet, introducing them to a mysterious world that we know less about than the surface of the moon. This exploration of our oceans will reveal the incredible diversity found in coral reefs and the countless species of fish and other aquatic life, as well as examine the zones and currents of the seas and all the ways we depend on the oceans in our daily lives.
Catholic Permeation: What truly sets this text apart are the essential lessons that bring our Catholic faith to life. Students will encounter biblical miracles at sea, the power of the Sacrament of Baptism, Our Lady as Stella Maris, and the saintly fishermen who were the closest followers of Christ.
Earth: Exploring Our Home
Earth: Exploring Our Home sends students out into the far corners of our planet to discover natural wonders, while along the way gaining new insights and understanding about the world in which they live. From the formation of mountain ranges caused by shifting tectonic plates, to the earth’s tilt and our rotation around the sun which gives us the four seasons, from our many-layered atmosphere and the solar energy that permeates it, to a study of weather patterns and climate . . . young explorers will come to appreciate the beauty and intricate order of this fascinating home God has blessed us with.
Catholic Permeation: Most significantly, students will learn about the descent of the Holy Spirit as tongues of fire on Pentecost and revisit the many biblical events that unfolded in the desert. They will also be introduced to St. Damien of Molokai, who ministered to the lepers of Hawaii, and St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the patroness of the environment, along with other saints and faithful members of the Church whose lives and work have made vital contributions to science.
Chemistry and Physics: Elements and Forces of the World
In Chemistry and Physics: Elements and Forces of the World, Adolfo Ayala explores a hidden world that lives right in our very midst. His study begins with a look at physical matter and how we apply the Scientific Method to it, before moving into Newton’s laws of motion, sound and light waves, the Atomic Theory, chemical reactions, and more. Students will discover the intricate balance and order that God has written into His creation.
Catholic Permeation: Above all, students will learn about the Church’s teaching on Transubstantiation and the importance of sacred music in the liturgy. They will also come to see how sin brings disorder and decay into our lives—and why God’s grace is essential to overcome it.
Animals: Creatures of the Wild
Animals: Creatures of the Wild offers a tour of the animal kingdom and the habitats in which mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, insects, and fish live and thrive. Students will discover how animals find and hunt for food, how and why they live in concert with other animals, why they migrate or hibernate, and more.
Catholic Permeation: Beyond this, students will learn about St. Francis, the patron saint of animals; the story of St. Brendan and the whales; St. Modomnoc and the bees; the serpent in Genesis; and the Church’s teaching that caring for animals draws us closer to God.
Plants: Wonders of Nature
Plants: Wonders of Nature explores the incredible diversity of the plant kingdom and all the ways plants help sustain life on earth. Students will discover what kinds of plants thrive in different habitats, how the fascinating phenomenon of photosynthesis works, and all the many ways plants help us—from the crops that we eat, to the air that we breathe, to the beauty and enjoyment they bring through gardens and nature hikes.
Catholic Permeation: What’s more, students will learn about the Fruits of the Holy Spirit, Jesus’s Parable of the Sower, St. Patrick’s use of the clover to explain the Trinity, and Catholics who made great contributions in the arena of science.
Space: A Tour of the Cosmos
Space: A Tour of the Cosmos launches us into the distant reaches of our solar system, and beyond! On this cosmic exploration, students will visit and become familiar with each of the planets that orbit our sun, learn the fascinating history of the scientific field of astronomy, meet famous astronauts, and take witness to the wonder and mystery of what lies even beyond our own galaxy
Catholic Permeation: Even more, students will learn about St. Joseph of Cupertino, the patron saint of astronauts; meet Catholic astronomers, including some on the path to sainthood; explore famous astronomical events from the Bible; and discover how the teachings of our Catholic faith align with modern scientific theories about the universe.
Ecosystems & Species: The Web of Nature
In Ecosystems & Species: The Web of Nature, Dr. Timothy Polnaszek introduces students to the often overlooked but fascinating scientific branch of Ecology, showing how the myriad species found all over earth interact with one another and their environment. Students will learn how animals and plants adapt to harsh environments—sometimes competing, sometimes working together. By exploring nature and examining species, populations, communities, and entire ecosystems, the meticulous balance that God has written into His creation becomes apparent.
Catholic Permeation: Beyond this, students will meet heroic figures such as St. Anthony of Egypt and the Desert Fathers; explore the groundbreaking discoveries of the Augustinian friar Gregor Mendel and their lasting impact on modern genetics; reflect on St. Augustine’s insights into the nature of animals; and recognize how science, far from conflicting with faith, points directly to God’s creative power and governance.
In Cells and Systems: Living Machines
In Cells and Systems: Living Machines, Dr. Heather Ayala explores the fascinating depths found in the smallest of God’s creations – the cell. The complex fabric and workings of the human body are
presented vibrantly and clearly so that students can come to understand how they were created, from the division of their cells and the DNA instructions within them, to their muscles and bones, to their cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, and other systems, to their five senses, to understanding why eating healthy foods and getting plenty of exercise is good for them.
Catholic Permeation: In addition, your students will: meet heroic figures such as Saint Peregrine and Saint Damian; encounter amazing true accounts of Eucharistic miracles in which human flesh was found within the Sacred Host; explore biblical stories, including Jesus healing the blind and deaf and Ezekiel’s vision of the dry bones; and receive lessons on the virtues, likened to spiritual muscles.
