Recent reports from the Pew Research Center routinely suggest that young Catholics who disaffiliate just couldn’t get their questions answered. And these questions regularly center on the perceived conflict between their faith and modern science. This is a phenomenon frequently lamented by Bishop Barron, because he avers: nothing should be further from the truth. What are these faith-busting scientific controversies? And can we move past these controversies and instead consider how the practice of science might dispose us to appreciate the vast mystery of the universe and contemplate the beauty of its truths.
To address these controversies, the Collegium Institute's Young Catholic Leaders Initiative will be hosting a daylong workshop for high school students and teachers called From Controversy to Wonder: A Faithful Approach to Science, on Saturday, November 15, at the Penn Newman Center in University City from 9am to 3pm.
This workshop will begin with a Gold Mass for Catholic Scientists at St. Agatha-St. James Church at 9am open to all interested members of the public, followed by a brunch reception. After brunch, Professor Stephen Barr, founder and president of the Society for Catholic Scientists, will deliver the keynote lecture followed by Q&A and breakout discussions. After the breakout discussions, we will have science experiments led by Felipe Martins, PhD Candidate in Physics at the University of Pennsylvania before lunch. After lunch, we will have a panel discussion on Science and Wonger, featuring Dr. Jessie Taylor, Director of Collegium’s Magi Project and Faculty at St Joseph’s University, and High School Teacher Sonja Civillico, Math and Science Chair at Martin Saints Classical High School, and further small group discussions.
Date: Saturday, November 15, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm.
9am-10am: Gold Mass for Catholic Scientists (St. Agatha-St. James Church)
10am-10:30am: Breakfast Reception (Church Hall, Penn Newman Center)
10:30am-12pm: Keynote Lecture by Prof. Stephen Barr (Society for Catholic Scientists) and Small Groups
12pm-1pm: Experiments/Activity
1pm-1:30pm: Lunch
1:30pm-3pm: Panel Discussion on Science and Wonder, and Small Groups (Church Hall, Penn Newman Center)
Location: Penn Newman Center (111 S 38th St, University City Philadelphia)
Registration:
High school students interested in attending the workshop should click here to apply.
High school teachers interested in attending the workshop should click here to apply.
The final registration deadline is Monday, November 10. The workshop may reach maximum capacity before this deadline, so register early.
If you would like your school to be credited as a partnering institution for this workshop in particular, or for the Young Catholic Leaders Initiative in general, please contact Jose Perez-Benzo (jperezbenzo@collegiuminstitute.org).