The "God and the Big Bang" project provides 16-18 year olds an exciting opportunity to discover, discuss and debate the compatibility of science and faith.

The project was motivated by the research findings of LASAR (Learning about Science and Religion), a research project which showed that many 16-18-year-old students in England struggle to access the view that science and religion are compatible. The research highlighted that students recognise that their science teachers often feel uncomfortable about addressing questions that relate to religion, whilst their RE teachers often feel they are not sufficiently knowledgeable to respond to questions about science, prompting young people to remain silent rather than feeling able to explore this subject.

As such, the project runs full-day conference style school events bringing GCSE, AS and A Level students into a forum with eminent scientists who have a religious faith. The aim is to equip young people with the all-important tools they need in order to form their own opinions and engage in rational, exciting, well-reasoned and thought-provoking discussion about the place for science in God’s world. The events consist 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.

Sir John Templeton believed that we have far more questions than answers. God and the Big Bang allows some of these fascinating questions to be aired, meeting with deeply insightful, respectful and honest answers and prompting a high level of discussion around science and faith. These events support teachers of science and religious education building their confidence in helping students to grapple with current ideas surrounding science and faith. The days also inspire young people to embark on their own journey of discovery, creating a generation of excited, curious thinkers who will remember the event for many years to come.

The project will be running sixty events to be held at a variety of venues across the UK over three years.