The origin of life was the theme of a special program held from June 14th-18th by the Seventh-day Adventist School of Maringá, Zona 7 Unit. The subject was approached from the creationist perspective in interdisciplinary studies, presenting similarities and differences in relation to evolutionary theories and smart design. According to the school, scientific and logical arguments were presented to the students, without imposing religious beliefs or omitting the evolutionary version.

Creationism Week brought knowledge to students through lectures, interactive classes, storytelling, and even an exhibition of fossils, in which the children learned how the fossilization process takes place. The program impressed Felipe Soares, a 3rd-year student. The boy would come home with details about what he had learned from dinosaurs, fossils, and would spend the entire afternoon talking about the topic. “This is a subject he is very interested in, and besides that, he is a curious child. I see that everything contributed. He answered questions, learned, had fun, and taught us at home”, says his mother, Juliana Soares. “I believe that these themes are attractive to students and make the school more attractive. It awakens interest, curiosity and I see that this is why education should start from the moment we are [born]”, she says.

According to the school's principal, Cleia Pimenta, “the learning and involvement of all students were incredible. They were delighted with the discovery they made about the origin of the world and the dinosaurs, and the privilege of experiencing the fossils and replicas of the Numar-SCB”. Numar is the Maringasense Nucleus of the Brazilian Creationist Society, which promotes creationism and partners with schools to bring scientific knowledge to students.

“I was thrilled and delighted with the result of this project. A knowledge that our students will never forget - learning that God is the creator and maintainer of life”, emphasizes Cleia.

This article was originally published on the South American Division’s Portuguese news site