Nicolaus Copernicus and Galileo Galilei

This week we turn our attention to astronomy with a chance to learn about two extremely intelligent scientists from Europe, Nicolaus Copernicus and Galileo Galilei. Copernicus and Galileo lived at a time called the
Renaissance (the years between medieval times and the modern era). At this time there was an enthusiasm for revisiting all things from Ancient Greece and Rome and bringing them up to date.

Session 2

Famous Scientists and Their Beliefs

Information

Games

Crafts & Activities

About this Topic

Welcome to our new Philosophy and Religion Ray – Famous Scientists and Their Beliefs, which explores not only the amazing advances in science made by a few individuals, but the difficulties they had in spreading their knowledge at a time when the powerful established church (the Church of England in our country) held that their own particular translation of the Bible and their beliefs about the stars and planets could not and should not be questioned.

The scientists did not set out to attack the church, merely to search for the truth, but the ideas their discoveries led them to caused them to be seen as ‘heretics’.

Since dissenters were not allowed to hold public office or to go to university, they were sometimes forced to conceal their opinions.

How to use this resource

There are 5 Rays, which provide a programme for one year’s sessions for a children’s group running during term-time. For each Ray, there is a set of topics, each of which comprises a theme for a term or half-term.

The sessions are presented in a pick-and-mix way - some information, some games, crafts, videos, etc. You are encouraged to adapt the material to your own setting , the time you have available and the resources you have. Don’t think that you have to do everything on offer.