e-Science Homeschool Science Curriculum
disclaimer- I was compensated for this honest review of the e-Science curriculum.
Looking for a complete, hands-on, exciting homeschool science curriculum for multiple ages that includes video lessons, text and TONS of experiment ideas? e-Science from Supercharged Science may be just what you are looking for.
What is e-Science?
e-Science is a comprehensive, online homeschool science curriculum designed by former NASA engineer and educator, Aurora Lipper. Over the past couple weeks, the kids and I have had the opportunity to review the e-Science program and it’s MASSIVE amount of information and science ideas. This curriculum has it all.
- Online interactive text with videos
- Printable textbook download
- TONS of experiment ideas with demonstration videos
- Lessons for K-12
- Bonus material sent to you via email
- Covers all major areas of science plus more
- Teaches students how to keep a science journal
The e-Science program is a subscription based program which adds new sets of lessons each month you subscribe. It is arranged both by grade level and by topic. The topic format is well-suited for teaching multiple ages or for using e-Science along side another curriculum.
There is even a link to a “conversion chart” listing over 20 popular homeschool science curricula and how to use e-Science experiments and activities as an enhancement. If you don’t have access to the topic you are studying, simply email e-Science and they will make special arrangements to have that topic available to you.
As you may know, I am BIG on hands-on science. Science isn’t found in a textbook. It is all around us. e-Science is based on that philosophy. The included experiments are in lesson form with printable background information about the experiment, along with instructions, explanations and recording sheets.
The experiments include demonstration videos, so there is no problem with vague instructions and kids can actually see what they are supposed to do. Independent learners could easily do the experiments on their own and have fun doing them.
Download a FREE e-Science lesson – Making Plasma In Your Microwave
How We Used e-Science
My 3rd grade son is just finishing up his geology unit with Nancy Larson Science and is really interested in learning more. We looked up the e-Science Earth Science Unit. That gave us a Geology option which was divided into reading, experiments/videos, and exercises.
We clicked on the experiments, since my son already had some background knowledge. The experiment page gave us access to all the experiments, videos and downloads. We chose a several projects and video lessons together that looked interesting and that would build on what he had learned in his curriculum.
He has been interested in the crystal structure of some minerals, but was having a hard time wrapping his head around how the crystals are formed by the molecules that make up the mineral. The penny crystal structure activity helped him to visualize that process. Then, we watched the video on the giant crystals found in the Cave of Crystals in Mexico. Now, he is fascinated by crystals!
My 7th grade daughter is studying General Science with Apologia. She is currently studying cells and simple forms of life. There are lots of experiments and lessons in the e-Science curriculum that coincide with her study, so I just let her explore them on her own for a few days.
Viewing yogurt and saliva under a microscope was a safe way to see live bacteria and the e-Science bacteria lessons and videos let her dive a little deeper into what she was learning with Apologia. The e-Science hands-on approach made her more excited about learning about microorganisms.
I plan on continuing to use e-Science as a supplement to the science curricula we are already using. The kids are enjoying it and I am thrilled with the depth of knowledge and understanding they are building.
Final Thoughts
The e-Science curriculum from Supercharged Science is a fabulous homeschool science resource for young learners through high school. I love the hands-on focus and the variety of experiments, many of which were new to me! It is very comprehensive, although at first the amount of information feels overwhelming.
My advice is to not just jump in the first day with your kids huddled around the computer with you. Check out the “Getting Started” page and video. It is so very helpful. From there, explore the program on your own and decide how best to use the program with your kids. You can start with the text or the experiments, or do them together. You can use e-Science as your sole science curriculum or as a supplement.
e-Science is, also, great for those parents who are not confident in teaching science to their older students.
The price of the e-Science curriculum is $37 per month for the K-8 section, and $57 per month for the expanded 9-12th grade material (good for advanced 5-8 graders too). e-Science, also, offers a 30 day risk-free trial access so you and your students can try it out yourself. If you like the program, you can stay enrolled for only $37 per month (you can cancel any time). If it’s not right for you, no problem. Simply ask for a refund.
e-Science For You
e-Science is making a FREE science activity and lesson available to all The Homeschool Scientist’s readers! Click to get your copy!
Making Plasma In Your Microwave
I, also, want you to try e-Science with your students, so we are giving away 3 month e-Science memberships to 3 lucky winners!!! Fill out the rafflecopter form below to enter to win! Winners will be chosen at random midnight March 11, 2014.
