Catholic school teachers and administrators gathered for the fifth annual STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Education, Arts and Mathematics) Symposium hosted by the Diocese of Venice Department of Education.
The Symposium took place on March 2, 2026, at the new Mote SEA (Science Education Aquarium) and included more than 500 teachers and administrators. The theme of the Symposium was “Beauty by Design: From the Sea to the Sistine Chapel: Celebrating God’s Artistry and Catholic Innovation.” Celebrating beauty is one of the core gifts of Christ.
Father John Belmonte, SJ, Diocese of Venice Superintendent of Catholic Education, opened the day with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. During the Mass, Father Belmonte praised the teachers and faculty for the love they have for their students and how courage is the strength given to each educator by the Lord to live out the mission of Catholic education, that is to introduce the Lord and Savior to the world.
Building on the theme of “Beauty by Design,” Father Belmonte said the Catholic faith teaches that beauty matters at a time when in nearly every aspect of contemporary culture there is a desire to spoil and ignore beauty creating an absence of prudence and good taste.
“Appreciate excellence. Celebrate it. Look at the world with reverence,” Father said. “Step from narcissism and see the truth and beauty within students. When you hear the Word of God, and hear wisdom proclaimed, you encounter and behold beauty.”
Using the sculpture The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, by Gian Lorenzo Bernini located in the Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria in Rome, Father Belmonte said it is an example of beauty because it depicts an angel piercing the heart of Teresa with an arrow. “It is the arrowhead of evangelization,” Father continued. “Beauty pierces our hearts drawing our souls toward the one that is truth itself. The arrowhead is a symbol. It doesn’t bypass reason. It wounds. When you stand before something so beautiful, you see it and it touches us in ways we are normally not touched. These are the ways of evangelization – through paint or stone – so that people can come to know the experience of God and come to know Christ through art. For us as educators, dedicated to teaching children how to think and how to reason, beauty is something that can be a point of evangelization that we can use to draw them closer to God.”
Noelle Mering, a fellow at the Washington, D.C. Ethics and Public Policy Center, was the keynote speaker. A writer and author on culture, politics, and religion, Mering spoke about the challenge of finding beauty in everyday life. She noted that in a culture where beautiful things are everywhere, criticism seeks to point out flaws, even when they are not there. This new reality causes many to ignore the beauty of God’s creation, pushing them farther from their relationship with God.
The symposium had the unique backdrop of the beautiful new Mote SEA, with the conference room offering a view of the shark and stingray tank. A screen blocked the view of the tank during Mass, as well as for the presentations by Father Belmonte and Mering, but its beauty was later revealed.
The symposium is also an opportunity for the Education Office to present awards. Father Belmonte presented the Charitas Awards, the highest Diocesan Education award given to faculty and leadership for their constant exhibition and embodiment of the Virtue of Beauty. Recipients, nominated by their peers, are teachers and administrators who produce excellence in all that they do, including: radiates with care and compassion towards students and colleagues, treats others as brothers and sisters in Christ, embodies the Catholic Faith inside and outside the classroom, leads by example, and spreads Truth, Beauty and Goodness to those around them.
Teachers who have demonstrated leadership in STREAM and robotics education at their school were presented with a Blue Apple Award. The color blue in the Bible has been described by scholars as denoting the Holy Spirit and Truth or service to God, as well as the waters of the new creation in the Book of Genesis, and most importantly the color blue is associated with our Blessed Mother.
New this year was the Assisting in Leadership Award, recognizing assistant principals, deans and instructional leaders who maintain strength and are a steady presence in their respective schools while bridging the gap between vision and implementation of policy and programs. Each Catholic school principal was also presented with an award for the roles they play at their respective schools.
Additionally, Years of Service Awards were presented in categories of 5, 10, 15, 25, and 30 years. Johanna Meyers, of Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers, was presented the Legacy Award for her service to educating children for the past 35 years.
During the lunch break the educators had the opportunity to experience a 3-D virtual tour of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican. This system, which uses virtual reality goggles to get an up-close view of the famous painting of Michelangelo, will be made available to Diocesan Catholic schools in the coming months.
In addition to Father Belmonte, the success of the symposium was attributed to Dr. Jennifer Falestiny, Diocese of Venice Director of Curriculum & Instruction, and Mary Burke, Administrative Assistant to the Department of Catholic Education. All participants received a packet which showcased different school STREAM projects, shining a light on the success and offering ideas to fellow educators. A drawing for fun gift baskets, donated by each school, was also held.
Following the symposium, many of the educators took a tour of the aquarium.
The Blue Apple Award is given to teachers who have demonstrated leadership and excellence in STREAM, technology, and innovation at their school. The color blue in the Bible has been used to described by scholars as denoting the Holy Spirit and Truth or service to God, as well as the waters of new creation in the book of Genesis, and most importantly the color blue is often associated with our Blessed Mother.
