What Does Secular Science Mean in Our Curriculum

At the heart of our ‘Journey of Discovery’ home-educating science curriculum is a secular ethos. But what exactly does “secular” signify in our context?

Journey of Discovery Unit 1 a secular science curriculum for 8 to 13 year olds.

Our secular approach

We define our approach to secular science education based on these principles.

Unwavering Commitment to Scientific Evidence

We have crafted the curriculum based on the prevailing scientific consensus. This means we firmly cover evolutionary theory, the Big Bang theory, and that Earth’s history spans billions of years. These are not presented as mere options but as well-established scientific theories.

Inclusivity, Not Neutrality

While our curriculum is designed to be accessible to all, irrespective of religious or cultural beliefs, it is not neutral on matters of well-supported scientific evidence. Science stands as an independent and robust field of inquiry not aligned with culture or religion.

Objective Inquiry & Critical Thinking

Every concept, including those mentioned above, is approached with evidence, logic, and reason. We encourage students to understand the methodology, the evidence, and the reasoning behind each theory, fostering a deeper appreciation and critical understanding.

Respect for Diverse Worldviews

Just because we have produced a secular curriculum that doesn’t equate to negating or dismissing religious beliefs we approach religious education as a separate subject to science in our home where we advocate for respect and understanding of all beliefs and views. However, within the Journey to Discover curriculum, scientific understanding takes precedence.

Empirical Foundations

At every turn, we prioritise empirical evidence and well-established scientific theories. Students are not only presented with facts but are also trained to understand the processes and methodologies that have led to these discoveries.

Our secular approach is about commitment to objective, evidence-based science. While we respect the myriad worldviews that exist, within our curriculum, science-backed by empirical evidence and rigorous methodologies—takes the forefront.