Science Resources -- Share what you've used

[Soliloquy]

I'll update this OP as people post. Feel free to leave a personal review, ask questions, etc. Even if you see a program already listed, feel free to add your own personal review in the thread.

This listing is not an endorsement by GCM.

Apologia

Exploring Science Series by John H. Tiner https://www.rainbowresource.com/prod...Series%29/8429

Memoria Press science products https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/science/

R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey

Quark Chronicles

Houghton Mifflin homeschool science https://www.hmhco.com/search/shop/ho...tegory=science

Pearson homeschool Interactive Science https://www.pearsonhomeschool.com/in...locator=PS2t4c

Science Academy series https://www.rainbowresource.com/prod...my+Series/4376

Usborne Science Encyclopedia and other Usborne science reference books.

Big Fat Notebook Series, the one for middle school science. https://www.amazon.com/Everything-Yo.../dp/B07BGGFTXQ

Real Science 4 Kids. Written by a homeschool mom with a PhD in biophysical chemistry. https://www.rainbowresource.com/prod...ations%29/2727
https://gravitaspublications.com/building-blocks/
https://gravitaspublications.com/focus-on/
https://gravitaspublications.com/

Home Science Tools. Textbooks, labs supplies, lab kits, science fun. https://www.homesciencetools.com/

Carolina Homeschool science supplies. LOTS and LOTS of fun stuff here, including lab kits, owl pellets, live animals, etc.

Quality Science Labs https://www.qualitysciencelabs.com/index.php?p=home

Crest Resources Library. Free games and experiments. https://library.crestawards.org/

[charla]

Apologia


For junior high and high school we have used Apologia science. We have found them very challenging but do-able. The experiments require some advanced planning to have the items on hand, but most are common items. Dd has really enjoyed Apologia Biology and doing the dissections. Ds and I found the Chemistry to be very challenging but we made it through! We have not used anything above Chemistry as ds took Physics from the community college. I appreciate the creation perspective of Apologia.

[Soliloquy]

I've really enjoyed the Apologia books we've used. I think they're very well done. I like the notebooking journals that go with each book. I think the high school books are very rigorous without being too hard to understand.



There are a few things, here and there, in the books for younger kids that had me but overall I think they're fantastic.

---------- Post added at 10:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:02 AM ----------

Right now I'm very intrigued by the science products at Memoria Press. I'm hoping to order a few soon.

ETA we ended up not liking Apologia curricula for a few reasons.

[JoannaV]

Currently we're using R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey.

[Soliloquy]

My spectrum kid loves the Big Fat Notebook series. We have all of them. This is the one for science. https://www.amazon.com/Everything-Yo.../dp/B07BGGFTXQ

These books are great for covering the standards without any fluff. We do tons of 'real world' learning, using books not textbooks, doing science, talking about science, etc. This books ties it all together and helps us see that he'll be on track to take high school science without any gaps. He enjoys reading it for fun.

[Soliloquy]

I am SUPER excited about this series!

Real Science 4 Kids.

Written by a homeschool mom with a doctorate in biophysical chemistry. Like me, she took college prep classes in high school yet was blown away by the learning curve in 200 level college science classes. While homeschooling her kids, she wanted a science program that introduced more real science at younger ages but couldn't find one. So she wrote her own. I've looked through the sample chapters and labs and I'm definitely ordering some of these next fall. This is exactly what I have been trying to find for several years. And what I have been creating on my own when I teach a co-op class.

There are two main lines in Real Science for Kids:

The "Focus On . . . " series. There is a series for elementary and one for middle school and focuses on one main discipline of science. Astronomy, geology, biology, chemistry, physics.

Building Blocks of Science is a typical science curriculum, elementary and middle school. It covers all the disciplines each year.

I am so excited to try this next year. When I wanted to teach a co-op class on astronomy, I found NOTHING at the middle or high school level that went beyond just the basics. No wonder I was struggling in college astronomy. It's just not taught until college, beyond the basics of the solar system and types of stars, etc.

Here's the website:

https://gravitaspublications.com/
https://gravitaspublications.com/focus-on/

Sample chapters of Building Blocks with labs are available here:
https://gravitaspublications.com/building-blocks/

Video of the author explaining why she developed this program
https://www.rainbowresource.com/prod...ations%29/2727

[Soliloquy]

Here's the Cathy Duffy review of Real Science 4 Kids

https://cathyduffyreviews.com/homesc...l-science4kids

[Soliloquy]

Home Science Tools.

They sell curricula, lab supplies, and also lab kits that go along with many homeschool programs. For too many years I tried to pinch pennies by buying lab supplies individually. I'm done with that! It's not that much more expensive to buy a "lab in a box" and know you have everything beyond common household materials, ready to go.

They also sell some fun science "toys."

https://www.homesciencetools.com/

Also, Carolina homeschool science supplies. https://www.carolina.com/living-orga...ience/12717.ct

Quality Science Labs https://www.qualitysciencelabs.com/index.php?p=home

[Vicki_T]

https://primarylibrary.crestawards.o...747644?sfns=mo

This has lots of science and STEM investigations for 7-11 year olds (there’s another one for under 7s). A few need special equipment, but mostly you would only need the sort of things you probably have at home anyway.


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[marbles]

Originally Posted by Soliloquy

I am SUPER excited about this series!

Real Science 4 Kids.

Written by a homeschool mom with a doctorate in biophysical chemistry. Like me, she took college prep classes in high school yet was blown away by the learning curve in 200 level college science classes. While homeschooling her kids, she wanted a science program that introduced more real science at younger ages but couldn't find one. So she wrote her own. I've looked through the sample chapters and labs and I'm definitely ordering some of these next fall. This is exactly what I have been trying to find for several years. And what I have been creating on my own when I teach a co-op class.

There are two main lines in Real Science for Kids:

The "Focus On . . . " series. There is a series for elementary and one for middle school and focuses on one main discipline of science. Astronomy, geology, biology, chemistry, physics.

Building Blocks of Science is a typical science curriculum, elementary and middle school. It covers all the disciplines each year.

I am so excited to try this next year. When I wanted to teach a co-op class on astronomy, I found NOTHING at the middle or high school level that went beyond just the basics. No wonder I was struggling in college astronomy. It's just not taught until college, beyond the basics of the solar system and types of stars, etc.

Here's the website:

https://gravitaspublications.com/
https://gravitaspublications.com/focus-on/

Sample chapters of Building Blocks with labs are available here:
https://gravitaspublications.com/building-blocks/

Video of the author explaining why she developed this program
https://www.rainbowresource.com/prod...ations%29/2727

I am looking at this curriculum for my kids this year, but it's so expensive! I can't spend $300 on science alone. I think I spent less on all school books for the entire last school year.

[Aerynne]

We are liking the Good and the Beautiful science units. Marine Biology unit is free so that's a whole unit you can try out to see if you like it before purchasing any.

[Soliloquy]

Originally Posted by marbles

I am looking at this curriculum for my kids this year, but it's so expensive! I can't spend $300 on science alone. I think I spent less on all school books for the entire last school year.

Yes.

I just bought "Building Blocks of Science" level 5 because I can use it for my middle 3 kids. Scaling up or down as needed. Plus I will use it as the basis for the co-op class I'm teaching in the fall.

Plus I will get reimbursed for all secular materials purchased after May 1st. I've always homeschooled on a shoestring. I am pinching myself that I can buy everything I need and many things I want.

I'm combining it with some of the Tiner "Exploring Science" books although those may not be reimbursable even though I haven't encountered anything religious in them, so far. https://www.rainbowresource.com/prod...emoria%29/7434

[Aerynne]

Originally Posted by Soliloquy

Yes.

I just bought "Building Blocks of Science" level 5 because I can use it for my middle 3 kids. Scaling up or down as needed. Plus I will use it as the basis for the co-op class I'm teaching in the fall.

Plus I will get reimbursed for all secular materials purchased after May 1st. I've always homeschooled on a shoestring. I am pinching myself that I can buy everything I need and many things I want.

I'm combining it with some of the Tiner "Exploring Science" books although those may not be reimbursable even though I haven't encountered anything religious in them, so far. https://www.rainbowresource.com/prod...emoria%29/7434

Our charter has been a blessing to us, too, forhat reason.

[Soliloquy]

I'm hoping to update this sticky soon!

[ECingMama]

Inventors invent, engineers make it practical, then scientists try to figure out how it works, ultimately gifting back to engineers suggestions on how to make improvements.

Einstein's Fridge: How the Difference Between Hot and Cold Explains the Universe

Heard this is a great book. Interesting. Like a novel.

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Imagine You Are An Aluminum Atom: Discussions With Mr. Aluminum Hardcover – November 24, 2020
by Christopher Exley PhD FRSB

I enjoyed that book.

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Planning to try Shormann's Science next year. It's Christian-based.