Through the younger years, we have a very relaxed approach to science learning. For my youngest learners, nature studies fills my requirements. As my children get older, I know they need to step this up. We have found that the e-Science Program from Supercharged Science is a perfect fit for homeschool science for middle school. We have reviewed this online science curriculum before, primarily with our elementary-age learners. This time around, we focused on our middle school girl.
The e-Science Program is available as a subscription (K-8 $37/month or K-12 $57/month). One of my favorite things about Supercharged Science is how fun it is for all learners, regardless of age. Science is about discovery and experimenting – and the units and activities in the e-Science Program certainly encourage that. For younger students, that may be all the further you take a lesson. For older learners (like my middle school girl), they need more. More reading and recording of hypothesis and observations. This is the genius of Supercharged Science. You can take things as deep and involved as your learner needs.
With my younger learners, we spent time perusing various topics and exploring whatever caught our eye. As a subscriber, you have access to only a few topics at first, with more opening up over the months. You are free to request access different topics as your interest leads. The limits are to keep you from being overwhelmed. There are 20 topics in addition to unit 0 (an overview) and units on the scientific method, science fair projects and ‘mathemagic’. You can also choose to work through the units by grade level (preK/K to 8th grade + advance topics) – this is how we approached things this time around.
When we first looked at the seventh grade lessons, there are three categories – Life Science, Energy, Physics of Light & Lasers. My daughter, being a nature lover, chose Life Science to start it. Science as a subject is not a favorite for her. Through the various experiments and activities, she has been learning about cells (specifically plant cells). She has been working with our (just-barely-capable) microscope and samples from vegetables and plants easily obtained. It was pretty neat to step outside, pull one of the young wild onions and bring it in to learn about mitosis.
My self-proclaimed non-science-y girl then proceeded to think of other things to check out. She is really looking forward to the warmer weather when things start really growing in the water (we keep an open 100 gallon tank below a downspout to catch rainwater for our animals). I love that she is finding an interest in science – and reading the pages for the lessons (we download the pdf and print it out). I still have to remind her to keep more notes in her science journal, but she’s getting better. She has no problem with drawing and sketching, it’s those pesky words.
We She has moved onto the topic of genetics. Did you know you can extract DNA? – in your kitchen? -with commonly available materials? One of my other favorite things about Supercharged Science (are you noticing I don’t have one favorite? This program is absolutely wonderful!) is that most of the activities and experiments can be done without expensive or hard to find items. We She has been using pond water, carrots, celery and onions for the experiments so far. We already had a low-grade (just a step above a toy version) microscope which is strong enough, but we know we want to upgrade. Their are pictures on the site and online (I’ve seen some great videos on YouTube) if a microscope is just not feasible. There are also numerous lessons where a microscope is not needed.
The other great benefit is her ownership of her work. She is not waiting for me to assign her something. She is working through at her own pace, watching the videos, reading the accompanying lesson, preparing the activities — all on her own. This has been one of my main goals for her this year. Supercharged Science is really helping with that. The way the e-Science Program is laid out, you can read the lessons first (on-screen or download the pdf to print or upload to a tablet) or jump right in to the experiment (presented in video with written details on the same page). The videos can be viewed in full screen, paused or reviewed as needed for the best guide or review. This is such a versatile program! It can stand alone or supplement a traditional curriculum. Unusual for a science program, there is nothing religious or secular (no creation or evolution talk — love that it can appeal to all families!). It’s simply straightforward information, examples and Aurora’s enthusiasm to help your children be excited about learning.
I am excited to share an opportunity for you to try out the e-Science Program (full access K-12, all topics) for only $1 (30 day trial – cancel or continue the monthly subscription at the regular rate). You can also sign up and receive a 5-lesson mini-program F*R*E*E! It was through opportunities like these that I learned about Supercharged Science – and the passionate teacher Aurora Lipper.
