# A 13-year-old's guide to faith and science

> A teenager learns to question both what she's taught and what she believes, without abandoning either.
- Title: A 13-year-old's guide to faith and science · Dallas Express
- Summary: A teenager learns to question both what she's taught and what she believes, without abandoning either. Faith and science aren't enemies. Learning to ask hard…
- Keywords: faith, science, teenagers, education, apologetics, christianity, evolution, belief, critical thinking, public school, dallas, news
- Source: Dallas Express — https://dallasexpress.com/future-voices/science-tells-me-how-god-tells-me-why
- Author: Dallas Express
- Published: 2026-09-20T11:00:22+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: faith, science, teenagers, education, apologetics, christianity, evolution, belief, critical thinking, public school, dallas, news
## The conflict between two worlds
A 13-year-old Christian attends public charter school where she learns evolution in science class while her Bible teaches creation. She's caught between two different explanations for how life began.

> Science helps me understand how our world works. God tells me why it's here.
## Disagreement sparked research
She once told her science teacher she'd prove her wrong about tectonic plates. That confrontation made her realize she needed to actually understand the evidence instead of just asserting her position.

> I wouldn't say that today.
## Apologetics changed everything
Her mom introduced her to apologetics, the practice of giving reasons for what you believe. Suddenly she needed to ask: What's the evidence? Why does the other person believe that? Why do I?
## Questions strengthen faith
Watching people defend their beliefs showed her that faith can and should be questioned, examined and discussed. Her teacher didn't weaken her faith. She made her investigate it.
## Owning her own beliefs
She doesn't want to believe just because her parents do or because it feels good. She wants to know what she believes, why she believes it, and how to respond when someone challenges it.
## Competing voices everywhere
Teenagers face more competing messages than ever: friends, teachers, social media, influencers, algorithms and artificial intelligence. Everyone has answers, but she's learning not to be afraid of the questions.
## Science and faith work together
She believes God is the Creator and has left fingerprints everywhere. Science helps her study those fingerprints. God tells her who the Author is.

> Science helps me study the fingerprints. God tells me Who the Author is.
## Key takeaway

Faith and science aren't enemies. Learning to ask hard questions about both makes your beliefs stronger, not weaker.