Visits

Our team of experienced science-faith communicators deliver valuable opportunities for young people to explore their big questions about science and faith, and reach a stronger understanding of how these ways of knowing might positively interact and enhance one another. These opportunities are rare and vitally important for equipping them to understand different ways of exploring the world, to think about their place and purpose in the universe, and to constructively engage with science, religion and society throughout their lives.

HomeVisits

Why does science and religion communication matter?

In an increasingly complex world, young people are faced with a vast array of deep and important questions – from responses to the climate crisis, to the future of AI; and from providing effective care for the sick or elderly to advancing our exploration of space. Such questions require open-minded, intellectually humble engagement with knowledge and insights from a wide range of different disciplines, including science and religious faith.

Research findings indicate that, from a young age, many children and young people have significant interest in science and religious faith, and how they might interact, but that opportunities to explore their questions are rare. Creating these valuable opportunities can be challenging: science and religious education classes, Sunday school, church youth settings and the media often raise big science-faith questions, without providing young people the opportunity or information to fully engage with them. This can leave teachers, parents, church youth workers and others feeling they lack the time, confidence, resources or expertise to engage with these important ideas.

As well as offering training events to equip and support educators and communicators, The Faraday Institute’s thriving youth and schools programme also aims to help by providing opportunities for young people of all ages to interact with inspirational speakers with expertise and lived experiences of science and/or theology and philosophy. These sessions provide young people an invaluable opportunity to explore these vital interdisciplinary questions in a safe space, and in exciting and accessible ways.

What science and religion visits do we offer?

Since 2013, we have run over 1,000 sessions, reaching close to 40,000 children and young people aged 3-18. Our fun, interactive workshops combine hands-on science with a focus on making space for questions and honest, dynamic and thought-provoking discussion about science, faith and their interactions. We also offer regular opportunities for young people to hear from visiting world experts on particular aspects of the interaction between science and religion.

We pride ourselves on our flexibility to provide sessions which are tailored to the requirements and interests of each individual audience, including:

  • lessons,
  • assemblies,
  • half or whole-day workshops,
  • interactive festival stands,
  • drop-in science fun days,
  • youth group sessions,
  • holiday clubs,
  • kids church,
  • Q&A events
  • and more…

We offer events all across the UK, and will also happily discuss the possibility for events further afield. Sessions can cover a wide variety of topics.

Popular science and religion topics include:

  • ​The interactions and compatibility of science and religion
  • The role of religion in the history of science
  • The philosophy, reach and limits of science
  • Compatibilities and differences in thinking about creation, evolution and Intelligent Design
  • What science and religion have to say about topics such as ethics; curiosity; evil and suffering; conservation, climate change and sustainability

For more information, to discuss what we are able to offer, or to make a booking, contact us at kids[at]faraday.cam.ac.uk

Feedback:

“This was one of my best days so far! The speakers inspired me so much, I thought my head was going to explode! Thank you!” Year 6 student (aged 10/11)

“You did an amazing job, covering fascinating content and drawing out the level of conversation that quite simply does not happen enough in schools. It really it was a joy to watch!” Secondary school teacher

“The material was well put together with an awareness and sensitivity to different views and ideas with a clear and gentle approach to engage children asking questions from a wide range of backgrounds.” Church children’s worker

“They answered questions that people are often afraid to go into that I ask about.” School student

“They all loved it! They asked brilliant questions and have continued doing so since.” Youth worker

“It was excellent to see such high levels of engagement from all pupils and adults. Teachers were saying that their brains had been stretched and that they had thoroughly enjoyed it and so had all the children. I was blown away by the depth of questions that the children asked.” Primary school teacher

What does it cost?:

We are aware that available budgets vary wildly, and it is very important to us that costs should not be prohibitive to any school, church or young person. At the same time, in order for us to be able to continue to run our programme, we do ask hosts for a donation to contribute towards the continuation of our programme – calculated to cover our time, travel, accommodation and other associated costs. Our costs vary depending on the particular kind of event(s) requested, the number of session leaders required, and the distance travelled. Prices for one session leader start from around £90 for a 60-90 minute session; £160 for a half day, or £260 for a full day – but the donation amount will depend on specific event requirements.

Once we have established the kind of event that might work best, we can discuss the cost of running the event in greater depth, and any concessionary rates that might be required in order to ensure that our sessions remain accessible for all.