The Institute for Creation Research recently welcomed three busloads of sixth-graders for a sneak-peek experience inside our still-in-progress ICR Discovery Center for Science and Earth History. The students enjoyed presentations given by paleobiochemist Dr. Brian Thomas and geologist Dr. Tim Clarey about the scientific evidence that showcases God’s work in creation.
The group viewed two planetarium shows, one on God’s design in the solar system and the other on the wonders of God’s creation under the sea. After eating lunch in the Discovery Center park, they ended the visit with a thought-provoking Q&A session with ICR scientists. I was impressed with the depth of their questions.
Asking questions is beneficial for many reasons. They clarify issues, lead to understanding and answers, reveal motives and biases, and help us build confidence in what we believe. When we discover answers, we have more ownership of the concepts. And when we ask other people questions, we encourage them to discover answers, too.
Questions are an effective way to help lead others to truth, as Dr. Thomas points out in this month’s feature article, “Toppling Ten Fake Facts That Prop Evolution.” He suggests asking well-informed questions to get a creation conversation started. As examples, he points out the scientific problems with 10 evolutionary statements and provides helpful questions you can ask people who aren’t convinced that Genesis explains our origins. If we can expose evolution’s weaknesses, perhaps our friends will be more open to learning about the scientific evidence for biblical creation.
The sixth-graders who visited the Discovery Center arrived ready to learn about evolution’s fake facts and creation’s solid science. As I watched them experience the 3-D planetarium films and interact with scientists, I thought back to the days when we were planning the center. This is what we envisioned—young lives being touched by truth. We envisioned a place that could help multiple generations see how science really does fit with what the Bible says. That dream is becoming reality, and I witnessed firsthand the effects on children, parents, teachers, and administrators.
This field trip to the Discovery Center is just the beginning. We hope for many more fun-filled, information-packed days for families and students in the years ahead! Though the center is not yet open to the public, you can schedule private visits through our events department (events@icr.org). They’ll let you know about available dates and opportunities. You can also follow the progress of the Discovery Center through our Acts & Facts updates and our social media platforms (ICR.org/followicr). We’ll continue to keep you posted in the coming months.
In the meantime, thank you for your prayers and donations that have gotten the Discovery Center this far. It is our hope that God will use this center to spur thoughtful questions and provide life-changing answers for many generations to come.
* Jayme Durant is Director of Communications at the Institute for Creation Research.
