Are science and religion incompatible? The God and the Big Bang project, funded by Templeton World Charity Foundation and launched in 2014, challenges misconceptions about the relationship between science and religion held by school students across the UK. Over its initial three-year term, the God and the Big Bang project held 60 events that equipped 16-18 year olds and their science and religious education (RE) teachers with the tools needed to engage in rational and exciting discussion about the place for science in God’s world.

With this subsequent grant, the God and the Big Bang project will expand its reach to students ages 10-18 and their science and RE teachers.

Outputs

• School events consisting of a keynote talk by a prominent member of the science-faith community; hands-on, interactive science sessions; and a question-and-answer panel session
• Teacher-training events enabling teachers to consider the compatibility of science and faith for themselves and to confidently and clearly use this increased understanding to support students in their explorations of science and faith

Outcomes
After attending God and the Big Bang conferences, students are able to explore science and faith for themselves, teachers are equipped to support both their current and future students, and scientists of faith are better enabled to consider and articulate their views about the interaction of science and faith to a variety of audiences. This will ultimately aid the ongoing science-faith dialogue in general as a new generation of talented communicators grows and permeates both scientific and faith communities.