Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger | Diocese of Tucson website

Eight Catholic schools across the Diocese of Tucson had high achieving students at the 69th annual SARSEF Regional Science and Engineering Fair. Catholic school students and classes won an impressive 46 awards at the science fair, including many first, second, or third place awards for various categories.

At Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School in mid-Tucson, second-grade science teacher Emily Penning expressed her pride in her students' accomplishments, stating, “Every year, their curiosity and desire for knowledge drives the science experiments we perform. I am constantly surprised by their questions and how they decide to apply the Scientific Method to pursue learning. Being their guide has truly been a rewarding adventure and I look forward to much more in the years to come.”

Penning shared that for her, the intersection of science and faith is significant, saying, “God is the Creator and science is the way we are able to explore and discover His creations. I think there is a form of worship in the exploration of science if you take time to be in awe of God's handiwork.”

Students from various Catholic schools showcased their innovative projects at the science fair, with projects ranging from environmental packaging experiments to earthquake survival simulations. The link between science and faith was evident in the projects and the students' enthusiasm for exploring God's creations.

In the words of Penning, “I believe there is value in the study of science because, if done correctly, it should be something that supports and strengthens our faith.”

Congratulations to all the Catholic schools’ science fair winners for their outstanding achievements in the field of science, demonstrating that 'Science strengthens faith' indeed.