Designing Learning

Science and faith have long been regarded as two opposing forces, constantly at odds with each other. But what happens when we introduce these two worlds to the curious minds of young children? As Christian educators, we are tasked with the challenge of navigating the tension between science and faith, while simultaneously instilling a sense of wonder and curiosity in our young learners. So, how do we approach this delicate balance?

The idea that science requires empirical data while faith does not is a viewpoint held by some Christian educators who see science and faith as separate domains of knowledge. This view suggests that science is concerned with the natural world and its workings, and relies on empirical evidence to draw conclusions, while faith is concerned with the spiritual realm and God’s relationship to the world, and does not require empirical data to draw conclusions.

While this view may be helpful in explaining the differences between science and faith, it’s important to note that it can be overly simplistic and may not fully capture the complexity of either subject. Additionally, it’s worth noting that faith traditions themselves often have their own methods for verifying claims and interpreting texts.

In an elementary school setting, particularly for very young children, teaching science and faith as separate subjects may be more common. This can be due to the developmental level of the students, as well as the nature of the topics being covered. The focus may be on building a foundation of knowledge in both science and faith, with less emphasis on integrating the two. The classroom setting may involve:

1. Exploring the natural world: Young children are naturally curious about the world around them, and science lessons can help to channel this curiosity into exploration and discovery. Science lessons may involve hands-on activities and experiments, as well as observations of the natural world. For example, students may explore different types of plants and animals, learn about the properties of different materials, or observe the effects of different types of weather.
2. Learning about basic Christian concepts: Faith lessons may focus on basic Christian concepts such as God’s love, Jesus’ teachings, and the importance of prayer. Lessons may be delivered through stories, songs, and other age-appropriate activities. Students may also be encouraged to develop a personal relationship with God through prayer and reflection.

However, at some point in the time, the child might want to make the connection between faith and science. There is no one-size-fits-all answer as to how teachers could do this. Some educators may choose to introduce basic concepts from both science and faith from an early age, while others may wait until the child is older and better able to understand the complexities of these subjects.

At this time, the Christian teacher should create a safe culture in the classroom for student acceptance and respect. That is, students should feel comfortable expressing their beliefs and asking questions. Teachers may also encourage students to share their thoughts and ideas about science and faith, and may facilitate discussions to help students explore these topics in such supportive environment.

Ultimately, the decision to teach science and faith separately or together will depend on the educator’s own philosophy of education, the developmental stage, the needs and interests of the students, and the curriculum requirements teachers are required to follow. In any case, it’s important to ensure that students are provided with a balanced and comprehensive education that acknowledges the importance of both science and faith in understanding the world around us.