By Jim Larson–
“We need science education to produce scientists, but we need it equally to create literacy in the public… Literacy in science will enrich a person’s life.”
The opening quote is from Hans Albrecht Bethe (1906-2005), a German and American nuclear physicist. Educated laypeople must be able to contribute productively to discussion and debate regarding stewardship of our Earth.
Catholics have a rich connection to scientific discovery, particularity through support of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. Unfortunately, some Catholics and many non-Catholics have never been able to get past the condemnation of Galileo by the church in the 1600’s for his support of heliocentrism. Literacy in science for today’s young Catholics includes acceptance that faith and science are not mutually exclusive.
When I left my previous career in engineering and began teaching science at a Catholic middle school, one principal concern of mine that took primacy over my concerns of a weak background in pedagogy was a complete understanding of the church’s position on scientific processes such as evolution. You see, I was still carrying the burden of Galileo’s inquisition! Young students love for their faith and science can be enriched through their ability to reconcile differences in the account of the creation in Genesis and evolution. Students are visibly relieved when I share with them the acceptance of Darwin’s theory by Pope John Paul II as “more than a hypothesis”.
The website for The Pontifical Academy of Sciences states that the academy “is international in scope, multi-racial in composition, and non-sectarian in its choice of members.” The diversity of the membership is beautiful. No greater example of the non-sectarian membership is the inclusion of Stephen Hawking as an ordinary member since 1986.
Insightful article…science is a gift from God.
Great insight, Jim. Demonstrating that faith and science are not at odds is perhaps the U.S. Church’s most pressing task vis-à-vis young people