Students will investigate the essential question, “How can Catholic Social Teaching help us respond to a real issue in our community today?” They will develop a statistical investigative question, examine how evidence from a census, experiment, or observational study informs the issue, and produce a research paper proposing a thoughtful community response. Through collaborative inquiry and weekly reflection circles, students will discuss how their research is changing their thinking about the issue and their response to Catholic Social Teaching.

Students will develop an investigative statistical question about a real community issue connected to Catholic Social Teaching. They will identify and distinguish censuses, experiments, and observational studies, explaining how each method can provide relevant evidence. Students will collaboratively evaluate possible responses, synthesize credible research into an evidence-based paper, and communicate conclusions with empathy. In weekly reflection circles, they will examine how their research changes their thinking about the issue and their response to Catholic Social Teaching.

Students will develop an investigative question about a local issue connected to the essential question, “How can Catholic Social Teaching help us respond to a real issue in our community today?” Teams will create a study-design brief that identifies and compares a census, observational study, and ethical experiment, including how treatments would be assigned in the experiment. Each student will produce an evidence-based research paper applying Catholic Social Teaching to the issue and proposing a realistic community response, then present key findings to classmates or a relevant audience. Students will also maintain weekly reflection notes and use them in reflection circles to discuss how their research is changing their thinking.

Begin with a gallery walk featuring local data, news excerpts, photographs, and Catholic Social Teaching principles connected to one community issue. In teams, students sort sample investigations as a census, experiment, or observational study, then develop an investigative question that could deepen understanding of the issue. Convene the first weekly reflection circle to discuss: “How can Catholic Social Teaching help us respond to a real issue in our community today?” Students share how the evidence shaped their initial thinking and identify questions they want their research paper to address.

Host a community research symposium where students present their papers through brief talks, visual displays, or recorded presentations to classmates, families, parish members, and local partners. Each presentation should explain the investigative question, identify any census, experiment, or observational study used as evidence, and propose a response grounded in Catholic Social Teaching. Small-group teams can coordinate event roles, facilitate empathetic audience dialogue, and gather feedback on their proposed responses. Conclude with a reflection circle addressing, “How can Catholic Social Teaching help us respond to a real issue in our community today?” and how students’ thinking changed through research.