| "I Wonder...Gaining Wisdom and Growing Faith Through Scientific Exploration" is an intergenerational science curriculum designed to be used in congregations. The goal of this curriculum and the theoretical work underpinning it is to counter the perception that people of faith cannot also be people who possess a scientific understanding of creation from quarks to the farthest galaxies and everything in between. Deepening faith in God and growing scientific understanding of the world around us both begin with the statement, "I wonder..." With this phrase as the common ground between faith and science, Lady Wisdom (Sophia) serves as the guide for hands-on experiments as learners develop an understanding of scientific methods including observation, creating and testing hypotheses, and analyzing results. One original photograph of a fossilized dinosaur footprint is included in the curriculum with the express permission of the photographer, William D. Richards, who took it specifically to be used for this purpose. An analysis of the author's contextual experience with the curriculum and similar programs, as well as the author's personal understanding of what mature faith requires as a result of this work, follows the curriculum. There are two appendices: "Faith, Science and Technology Sunday Liturgy" for Sunday, February 7, 2016, produced by the author for "Worship Ways," a supplemental service of Local Church Ministries of the United Church of Christ; and the author's sermon for The United Church of Schellsburg United Church of Christ for the same Sunday, "Improbable But Not Impossible."... |
