SRSP 16-19 Topic 4 Unit 1a – Cosmology and Eschatology

 

This unit seeks to give students an understanding of some of the science behind the Big Bang theory. The three main pieces of evidence for the theory will be examined; the red shift of distant galaxies, the cosmic microwave background and the abundance of helium in the universe.

These three pieces of evidence together interlock to make a powerful case. Students will examine the scientific account of the development of the universe from the Big Bang to the present day. They will look at creation narratives, in particular those in Genesis 1-3, and consider the influence of culture on these, both in relation to the time in which they were written and on our own reading of these texts. These narratives will be compared to the scientific accounts.

Finally, students will look at different possible scientific scenarios for the end, or continuation, of the universe and reflect on how these relate to the eschatological thinking of the main faith traditions.

This unit consists of 3 lessons and is suitable for students aged from 16 to 19 years

 

Key Questions

  • How reliable is the evidence for the Big Bang?
  • How has our universe developed from the Big Bang to the state it is in now?
  • Will the universe last for ever?

Some of the materials can be viewed on screen and some can be downloaded for editing or printing. To view the pdf files you need Adobe Acrobat Reader. See the about section for more details.

Unit Resources

Unit Overview (Word)

 

Lesson 1

Lesson Plan: Scientific explanations for the origins of the Universe (Word)

Student Resource Sheet 1: Snappy answers to some profound questions (Word)

HTML Resource: Snappy answers to some profound questions

Student Resource Sheet 2: Cosmological red shift (Word)

Student Resource Sheet 2 [LA]: Cosmological red shift (Word)

Student Resource Sheet 3: Cosmic microwave background (Word)

Student Resource Sheet 3[LA]: Cosmic microwave background (Word)

Student Resource Sheet 4: Helium in the universe (Word)

Student Resource Sheet 4[LA]: Helium in the universe (Word)

Student Resource Sheet 5: The Big Bang (PPT)

Student Resource Sheet 6: The Face of God (PPT)

Student Resource Sheet 7: Quotations (Word)

HTML Resource: Quotations

 

Lesson 2

Lesson Plan: Religious explanations for the origins of the Universe (Word)

Student Resource Sheet 8: History of the universe – Timeline (Word)

Student Resource Sheet 8[LA]: History of the universe – Timeline (Word)

Student Resource Sheet 9: A modern myth on the start of the universe (Word)

Student Resource Sheet 9[LA]: A modern myth on the start of the universe (Word)

Student Resource Sheet 10: Reading Genesis (Word)

Student Resource Sheet 10[LA]: Reading Genesis (Word)

 

Lesson 3

Lesson Plan: Eschatology – The End is nigh! (Word)

Student Resource Sheet 11: The end is nigh (Word)

Student Resource Sheet 12: The end of the universe (Word)

Student Resource Sheet 12[LA]: The end of the universe (Word)

© 2011 LASAR (Learning about Science and Religion)