By Melanie Mar Chow

Being a campus minister for over 30 years, I have appreciated walking alongside Christian students who seek to learn about God and science and apply their knowledge to valuable careers. The most recent survey in 2015 notes that Asian Americans rank the highest among those pursuing STEM majors at 30%.

Our previous writers guided us to consider the value of Newtonian and quantum physics to ministry and the gift of science from God, and the other gave a glimpse of the science of gratitude.  For me, I wanted to pause and give thanks to God for elevating the awareness of His works through scientists.

As the daughter of an environmental engineer who specialized in air and water quality, I learned to appreciate science in everyday life as the foundation for why things happen. What dad did not know, he taught us on visits to museums or science centers. He would take us on educational tours, at minimum 2-3 times a month.  I gained an appreciation of science by visiting places that demonstrated his career in action by valuing the environment from water treatment plants, fish ladders at hatcheries, and even spending time outdoors to learn how fruit forests (orchards) were different from rain forests.  Road trips bent on scientific inquiry and discoveries were common for our family.  These trips included seeing dams providing electricity and employment, gardens that created new bloom colors and plants, and much more.

Counting sand grains as a child made me realize how different kinds of sand would determine the varying numbers of sand in each shovel scoop. (For example, East Coast sand grains are smaller than the West Coast sands.) I learned from other kids at school that the language describing the erosion in my backyard mud fort creation was not an ordinary topic of discussion at dinnertime. 

As the wife of an environmental engineer whose specialty is drinking water, I know that it is still better to drink tap water over bottled water.  I learned from my husband the science behind water quality from the toilet to tap water faucets.  As a former bottled water consumer, I now know how costly it is for consumers, but it is even more for the environment.  When we choose bottled water, we have the dilemma of excess plastic that thankfully can be recycled, but it is easier to use a container and chill water from the faucet in California. 

During the pandemic, I’ve had a greater appreciation for science in cooking.  From an online cooking group, I learned that many dishes are the result of chemical reactions happening in our kitchens. For example, scientists say when food is too salty, you can add vinegar to change its acidity.  My friends’ cooking blogs share the creative chemistry that results when the seven basic flavors of bitter, sweet, salty, sour, astringent, pungent (chili) and umami are mixed.  No wonder we say grace to thank God for our food.  Those prayers should also mention the miraculous science that created the flavors in the meal!

I also know and value science from a medical standpoint and the many chemists and scientists that contribute to the services we receive. There is a science of numbers that determine different levels of chemicals in one’s body at which proportions.  Praise God for scientists who create medicines and pharmaceuticals that can alter the bad numbers in your body and move us to healthier goals. More recently, we know the value of scientists in the people around us.  It is good to have scientists who create not just one vaccine, but three vaccines for Covid-19.  The vaccines are available because of diligent work that will soon gain the approval of the US Food and Drug Administration.  Which leads me to ponder how Christians are to value this scientific data according to God’s intention. If he is the great Healer, then why are medicines helpful for some and not others? That statement is to be considered in another blog.  For this one, I revert back to appreciating scientists led by God.  As soon as you finish reading this blog, find and message your favorite scientist and give appreciation for their contributions.  

As we learn to appreciate scientists, credit also must go to God as Creator who keeps working when scientists go home to sleep at night.  All praise and glory to God for scientific inquiry, discoveries, scientists, and all there is yet to discover!