Bridging Science and Faith in Community: Reflections from Xplore’s Scientists in Congregations project

By Clair Griffiths, Community Fundraising and Outreach Coordinator, Xplore! Science Discovery Centre

Over the past year, we’ve had the unique opportunity to partner with churches across North Wales as part of the ECLAS Scientists in Congregations-funded “Community Events in Church” project. Our goal has been to explore how science can support faith-based engagement, and how the two can coexist meaningfully within community and church life. What emerged from the experience was not only a series of joyful events but also a deepening of trust, curiosity, and collaborative spirit between church leaders, scientists, and local families.

Training That Sparked Wonder

We began with two training sessions aimed at equipping faith leaders and church volunteers to incorporate science into their ministry. Held at the Xplore! Science Discovery Centre and St Ann’s Church in Rhyl, the sessions brought together voices from both faith and science backgrounds.

Keefe Owen from Scripture Union shared powerful insights into how churches can reach the 95% of young people not engaged in traditional church structures. Elaine, co-director of our project, reflected on building a science-faith partnership at St Mark’s Church. Meanwhile, I had the pleasure of leading hands-on science demonstrations, followed by a collaborative mind-mapping activity where participants explored how to blend theology with practical science activities.

Each participant received a resource booklet with eight tried-and-tested science-and-faith activities to use in their own settings — from slime making that explores belief and transformation, to star-dome sessions reflecting on constellations mentioned in the Bible.

Perhaps what stood out most during these sessions was the sense of permission it gave participants: that science isn’t something to be feared or held apart, but a tool for inspiring awe, sparking questions, and building bridges. Attendees reflected on how integrating science into ministry could offer fresh ways of engaging young people and deepen the church’s role as a place of discovery and wonder.

Science Comes to Church

Following the training, we turned our focus to delivering eight fully-booked community events hosted by churches of all shapes and sizes. One of the unexpected joys was seeing just how different each event looked — a true reflection of the flexibility built into the programme.

Some churches chose to run family fun days, using slime, water rockets, bubbles, and live science shows to create an atmosphere of joyful learning. Others leaned into deeper theological reflection, using science activities as catalysts for conversations about creation, belief, and the wonders of the natural world through a faith lens.

This diversity was one of the most surprising — and affirming — aspects of the project. Rather than a top-down, one-size-fits-all model, churches shaped their own approach. Our role was to support and resource them, tailoring each event to fit the unique needs and personalities of the congregations involved. This locally-led ethos proved vital in encouraging engagement and ownership.

From Light Parties to Forest Schools

One unexpected development was the growing demand from churches for bespoke, self-funded sessions. Around Halloween, for instance, we were asked to deliver ‘Light Parties’ — events that reframe the season through a Christian lens while incorporating hands-on science experiments. This trend reinforced that there is a real appetite for this kind of crossover work, and that churches are eager to find new ways to connect faith with the everyday experiences of children and families.

Some events even included outdoor forest school activities, and in particular, we engaged with churches who had recently received their Bronze or Silver Eco Church Awards. These churches were especially excited to incorporate nature-focused elements like bug hunts and bio blitzes into their sessions. These creative formats sparked meaningful conversations between adults and young people alike — moments where science wasn’t just a tool for learning, but a doorway to theological reflection, environmental stewardship, and shared storytelling.

A Glimpse at Wonder Day

Wonder Day took place on Saturday 5th July 2025 at St Giles Parish Church and was a tremendous success. Building on the momentum of the 2024 event, this year’s celebration welcomed an estimated 375 attendees for a fun-filled day of science and faith. From slime-making to planetarium shows, the church was alive with energy, curiosity, and community spirit. It was amazing to see families, children, and church members getting stuck into Xplore!’s activities together. A wonder day visitor commented “I took my daughter to the event on Saturday, and she absolutely loved it – the slime being a hit! The star show in the dome was brilliant too. Tom [the star show presenter] was super knowledgeable and brilliant with the children“. Individuals spent the day asking big questions, trying new things, and discovering how science and faith can sit side by side. Wonder Day once again proved just how powerful it can be when communities come together to explore both the natural world and deeper questions of belief.

Final Reflections

While we did face challenges — particularly lower-than-expected attendance at training sessions — the overall response to the project has been overwhelmingly positive. The experience has reaffirmed the value of flexible, relationship-driven engagement and shown us that science can be an ally in the church’s mission to inspire, nurture, and connect.

As one church leader put it:
“Having a Christian element to the Xplore activities created unity between us and helped people see the link between science and faith. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the event.”

We’re deeply grateful to ECLAS for supporting this work. The partnerships we’ve built, and the stories we’ve heard, point toward a future where faith and science don’t sit at opposite ends of the spectrum — but walk hand in hand in the pursuit of wonder, truth, and community.