Early Career Teacher Experiences of Science-Religion Encounters in the Classroom: Towards a Shared Understanding of Purpose?

Research seminar given by Dr Mary Woolley

Abstract

In 2019, NICER, a university research-centre at Canterbury Christ Church University, were awarded a grant from the Templeton World Charity Foundation to explore ‘Beginning teachers experiences of science/religion encounters: an integrated vision of knowledge?’ Four years later, Dr Mary Woolley shares some of the key findings and resources created by the project. The research project used focus groups with student teachers from 6 universities and an online survey accessed by over 900 teachers to explore teachers’ confidence and competence in engaging with science/religion encounters in the classroom and the barriers and facilitators they faced. Findings relate to the need for a shared understanding of purpose between science and RE teachers, but also the need for mutual respect and deeper dialogue if pupils are going to make necessary links across subject boundaries.

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