Ohio Dominican University has received a $9,900 grant from the Siemer Family Foundation to support expansion of an initiative to develop educational materials promoting the field of psychology to middle school and early high school-age students.
The grant will allow expansion of the psychological detective activity box project designed by Ohio Dominican University psychology professor John Marazita with support from a grant from the Association for Psychological Science.
The project aims to provide children with exposure to psychological science as a critical step for their personal and academic development and to promote growth of the behavioral health workforce.
Marazita began developing the boxes with the assistance of students after realizing that many popular subscription-based science boxes that provide children with home-based experiments do not contain psychology-related materials.
An original set of 90 boxes was sent to middle-school classes in March 2023. Each box included activities and mini-experiments for children to explore positive psychology, stress and well-being.
The Siemer grant will allow a redesign of the first boxes and creation of additional boxes that address new topics such as perception, memory and thinking, and will enable wider distribution across central Ohio.
Each box will contain materials for conducting demonstrations and mini-experiments, as well as a research journal in which students can record data and observations and exercise their scientific thinking.
Marazita plans to distribute the boxes through central Ohio afterschool, summer and community programs.
Catholic Man of the Year nominations closing soon
Anyone wishing to nominate a candidate for the 2024 Catholic Man of the Year award who has not yet done so has only a few days left before the deadline of Sunday, Dec. 31.
Bishop Earl Fernandes will present the award at the Friday, Feb. 2 meeting of the Catholic Men’s Luncheon Club at Columbus St. Patrick Church.
The club has presented the annual award since 1957 to one layman who, through his daily actions, words and prayers, exemplifies the “good and faithful servant.” The recipient can share his personal testimony during the ceremony.
Nomination statements are reviewed by a group of two men each from the luncheon club, the Knights of Columbus, the diocesan Catholic Men’s Ministry, Young Catholic Professionals and the Serra Club, plus a diocesan priest. Their recommendation is sent to the bishop for final approval.
Last year’s honoree was Dr. Eric Yang of Columbus St. Peter Church.
For details, nomination instructions and the required online nomination form, go to https://www.catholicmensministry.com/catholicmanoftheyear.
Questions regarding the nomination or selection process may be directed to Tim Merkle at (614) 839-5700 or catholicmanoftheyear@gmail.com.
Shepherd’s Corner announces slate of upcoming events
The Shepherd’s Corner Ecology Center, 987 N. Waggoner Road, Blacklick, a ministry of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, invites people to experience the joys and responsibilities of caring for land, life and spirit at several events in January, February and March.
Sister Cathy Arnold, OP, will lead a program of bread making, reflection and conversation from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3. There is a $15 fee.
Presidents Day will be celebrated from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19. Families are invited to take part in seasonal activities, feed the animals, walk the trails and more. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Mary Rodney of Seeds Well Sown will lead a program on container and herb gardening on Friday, Feb. 23 from 10 a.m. to noon. She will focus on what to grow and when to start growing a range of culinary and medicinal herbs.
“Maple Sugaring: From Sap to Tap” is the theme for an event from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. March 2, which has a $6 fee. The event will explore the process of making maple sugar from tree sap and include a tasting.
Everyone is invited to pet and feed the Shepherd’s Corner sheep at no charge from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, March 8.
A workshop on making 3D felt flowers from dry wool and wet felting will be led by Gail Maraman from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 16. There is a $20 fee.
Monthly labyrinth walks, each with a $5 suggested donation, are scheduled as follows: Thursday, Jan. 25, 10 to 11:30 a.m., “Discover Labyrinth” theme; Monday, Feb. 26, 7 to 8:30 p.m., “The Warmth of February”; Tuesday, March 19, 7 to 8:30 p.m., “Spring Equinox”; Tuesday, April 23, 7 to 8:30 p.m., “Flowering in Our Lives.”
Home-schoolers are invited to drop in on the third Wednesday of each month from 1 to 3 p.m. for programs of learning and exploration. There is a $5 fee.
Groups of as many as 12 people are invited to learn about the maple sugaring process on weekdays. There is a $60 fee. Call the center at (614) 866-4302 for dates and details.
To further the center’s conservation efforts, there will be volunteer opportunities to help plant vegetation in the spring.
Registration is required for all Shepherd’s Corner programs. To register, or for more information, call the center or visit https://shepherdscorner.org and click on “Events.”
Family Day Mass scheduled at Sts. Augustine & Gabriel
The annual Friends and Family Day Mass at Columbus Sts. Augustine & Gabriel Catholic Church, 1550 E. Hudson St., will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 28.
Alumni of the former St. Augustine and St. Gabriel schools and former parish members are encouraged to attend.