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I have said over and over that the best textbook in the world cannot teach true science unless students are allowed to observe, test, and experiment. Facts are great, but without practical experience with the scientific method, they don’t give an accurate picture of science.
A good text and a good hands-on component are the two main things you look for in a quality science curriculum to give your student the best chance at learning and enjoying science. I have certainly found that to be true in my academic and teaching experience, however there was one additional factor that really speared on my love for science.
Learning Science From A Scientist
My high school biology teacher had been a research biologist before her teaching career. She brought not only knowledge of biology, but experience. As we would read the text, answer the questions, and hands-on projects, she would not only explain everything in more detail, but tell us about how it looked and worked in the real world.
As we looked at specimens on prepared slides under the microscope, she would explain where each of the specimens came from and her experience preparing slides. When we learned about ecosystems, she told us about doing research in the Amazon rainforest. She would be excited about the tree frog she brought in for us to see. We wouldn’t open a book. We would just listen to her tell us about that type of frog and take turns with a magnifying glass examining it’s feet sticking to the aquarium glass. That first-hand knowledge made science come alive and made it so interesting.
Apologia Science DVDs
Not everyone is so lucky to have an actual scientist as a teacher, but Apologia has made it possible! Have you seen the new science DVDs from Apologia? As of this writing, there are six DVDs available: General Science, Physical Science, ;Biology, Advanced Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Each one is a companion to their corresponding Apologia Science curriculum and taught by an actual scientist.
Here’s an example of what you will find in the Apologia Biology DVD.
[youtube width=”600″ height=”500″]https://youtu.be/U4iN-i4Lrb4
In each DVD, you will find 20+ hours and hours of on-location examples, instruction, plus videos of the experiments found in the curriculum. These DVDs help students see real-life examples of science in the real world. They are available alone or as part of a curriculum superset.
Related post: Why Apologia Science Is Great For Co-ops
Win An Apologia Biology DVD!
My daughter is currently taking Apologia Biology and using the companion DVD. This DVD features more than twenty hours of instruction, PowerPoint lectures, and video presentations of every experiment from the textbook all taught by Apologia author and marine biologist Sherri Seligson.
I would love for you to get your hands on this Apologia Biology DVD. Whether your students are studying Biology or not, this is a great resource for you to have on hand. It is interesting and entertaining, as well as educational. Just enter the contest below to win!
Continental US entries only.
NOTE: To use this disc, you must have a DVD drive on your computer and a program capable of playing .mp4 files. Not for use in DVD player. This DVD set contains:
I like the biologist study so far.
I would love to learn from an archaeologist. My son loves rocks.