Competition Winner Explores Science and Religion

An A level student at The Sixth Form College, Solihull has won a Religious Studies essay writing competition.

Emma Tustin (pictured right with Vice Principal Janice Hamilton) has won £100 for her essay, entered into a competition run by RE Today Services. The contest was organised to support a set of notes entitled Science and Religion - The Big Issues, which have been piloted in a number of schools across the country, and which explore whether science and religion are mutually exclusive or not.

These notes were supported by four 10-minute video clips and explored ideas surrounding science and religion, including topics like creationism, intelligent design, the Galileo trial, miracles, the Anthropic principle, Freud and Jung, memes, extra-terrestrial intelligence.

Emma’s essay included an evaluation of the video clips viewed and an investigation of the issues it explored.

“I find Religious Studies really interesting and I decided to enter the competition because I really enjoy the workshop sessions and I thought the topics would help me in RE and Philosophy,” said Emma, who is also studying English Language & Literature and Music at A level, as well as Religious Studies and Philosophy.

Religious Studies teacher Debra Halstead commented, “The Religious Studies department is delighted with all the students who attended these workshop sessions after College and entered the competition. Congratulations go to Emma for her winning essay, but all the students are to be commended for their efforts, which go above and beyond their study commitment for this subject.”