We’ve talked Elementary School science and middle school science, how about today we tackle resources for high school science? Might as well eh? It only makes sense to finish the series! Today I thought I would Gather Resources for High School Science.
What we are doing
Some of you may know that one of my jobs is marking papers for Tree of Life. It’s a great organization to work for. Over the past couple of years I’ve grown to appreciate the Exploring Creation with Biology textbook. I picked up the student workbook for him and that’s what he is doing for Grade Nine Science this year.
If we didn’t have this resource on hand, I would have looked more closely at some of the resources I will share with you today.
Physical Resources
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention G.L.O. In real life, group classes for highschool kids. Located in the nearby big city. I keep wanting to teach a class with them as I’ve got the know-how. They teach a variety of classes, depending on the teachers they get in.
Textbooks can be picked up from a variety of sources. Locally we have The Learning House which provides textbooks for homeschoolers. I could also order from different companies and have them shipped out. Just a matter of doing your research and finding companies to work with. Companies such as: Bob Jones, Apologia, Pearson, Glencoe, or Steck-Vaughn. What others would you suggest?
On-Line Sources
In interactive unit studies I introduced to you Kristen Moon Science. She makes some great science based unit studies. You should check them out.
Cross-wired Science (reviewed them this past year) does a good science program. Currently they have a free program called Mighty Feathers so you can get a good taste of how they do their program. If you decide you like it and want to purchase Sound & Fluid Dynamics you can use the discount code (intime29) to takes $5 off.
MIT has open courseware. Search for the program you want, and then run through list. From what I can tell the courses are free but you may need to buy the textbook from Amazon.
If you want to supplement what your students are learning Exploratorium has a number of videos, activities and experiments to delight the learner.
There are some interesting science lessons at Science Net Links. It would be easy to just set a student loose to learn what they’d like here.
Learning about the weather? Sci Jinks has you covered. Videos and well-written essays.
Khan Academy has science and engineering classes for highschool.
If you are learning about the periodic table you might find this site helpful.
ACLS has an educational page on human body systems.
In highschool, most any course you might want to take as an adult a highschool student could potentially take as well (depending on interest and ability). Check out this post on wanting to learn anything for some excellent on-line resources.
What resources would you gather for high school science?
Today’s Free Write word is Gather. See all the write 31 days posts.
High School Science was a tough sell for us. Biology is a required credit, so we used traditional textbooks for that (Apologia and BJUPress) and also SchoolhouseTeachers.com My kids all did some Classical Astronomy too. Signs and Seasons makes an interesting science elective course!
oh… I’ll have to show my lad the astronomy class…
We are struggling in the high school science area. It seems that so much of this topic is geared towards science-oriented students. When you have students that just aren’t, these textbook based classes are just too much. We are piecing together a meteorology class for my sophomore this year and she is loving it so far.
Have you considered doing some hands-on short science lessons? You can still make a full class, just adapting to the abilities of your girls. I hope you show a bit of what you are doing with the meteorology class, it sounds intriguing. I”m hoping to a forensic science class with the lad down the road.
Great list Annette. I have one who loves science and he’s nearing the high school age (GAH!!!) so this will really come in handy. Jodi
Oh! That’s great! I hope you find it helpful for him. 🙂