The Study Of Science In Your Homeschool
Have you ever worried that your homeschool science curriculum was too easy? Are you having trouble making science exciting and engaging? Then, don’t miss this new Study of Science!
We have taken an interest-led learning approach to 11 different scientific fields, using hands-on activities, engaging discussions, custom coloring pages, and the printable games your kids have come to love from The Waldock Way.
Whether your kids dream of becoming paleontologists or astronomers, they’ll love these lessons. If you’ve been stuck on life sciences for years and just realized you’ve never taught chemistry or physics, this is the perfect starting place.
Science doesn’t have to be boring. Get the scoop on how we’re making science fun this year!
Science Doesn’t Have To Be Boring!
Science can be a lot of fun! In the early years, science can feel overwhelming with involved experiments and complicated theories. Then, it starts to feel too easy. Baking soda volcanoes get boring after a while.
That’s when it’s time to dive into more complex science and find new ways to make science exciting and engaging. As with everything, we’re all about taking an interest-led approach where Emily takes the lead. This has led us to science lessons in meteorology after a big storm, learning about astronomy after a visit to the planetarium, and diving into zoology following her passion for animals.
We like to keep science fun and inviting with lots of hands-on activities, games to play together, and interesting books to share. Now, we’re making it easy for everyone to have fun learning science together with this new unit study.
The Study Of Science: Investigating, Experimenting and Discovering
Our newest Study of Science unit is about all things science! Get ready to discover brand new scientists, exciting experiments with materials you already have, and all-new printable learning games!
Science Topics Explored In This Study:
We’re covering everything in this new science unit study! You’ll get interest-led lessons about everything from the scientific method to physics and ecology.
What is Science?
First, learn about what makes science, well, science. Discover how being a scientist is a lot like being a detective.
Then, investigate different branches of science and how they’re all related. Learn about how scientists collaborate and work together to protect our planet, learn new things, and make exciting discoveries.
The Scientific Method
The scientific method is a process used by scientists to answer questions and solve problems. Using this step-by-step process, scientists can ensure investigations are thorough, logical, and evidence-based.
Regardless of what’s being studied, the scientific method helps us to find reliable answers based on facts rather than opinions or guessing. In this section of the Study of Science kids will get to practice using the scientific method as they become “science detectives.”
Tools for Scientists
Scientists have very cool tools at their disposal! I remember getting excited about any experiment that involved a Bunsen burner in my high school science classes.
In this section of the unit study, kids will learn more about the tools scientists use. We’ve covered everything from graduated cylinders to microscopes and pyrometers. It’s the perfect mini-unit for kids who love gadgets!
Geology
Then, dive right into the Study of Science with geology. Geology is about more than rocks, it’s also the study of volcanoes. Your whole family will love learning through the work of Drs. Maurice and Katia Krafft.
Zoology
Do your kids love animals? Then they’ll get excited about studying zoology with this mini-unit including a word search, crossword puzzle, and custom coloring page.
There’s even a hands-on project where kids can create shoebox animal habitats. You’ll definitely want to keep these fun projects!
Astronomy
Then, travel to the stars and learn about the difference between dwarf planets and moons as you study astronomy together. Meet Henrietta Leavitt and discover how her work helped Edwin Hubble discover galaxies beyond the Milky Way.
Everyone will enjoy building constellation models together and learning about the phases of the moon with chocolate sandwich cookies. It’s the perfect mini-unit for kids who are fascinated by the stars.
Physics
Have your kids explored physics yet? The history of this fascinating science goes back thousands of years. Physics helped us build amazing things and led to the exciting discoveries of scientists like Albert Einstein.
In this mini unit, kids will learn about how scientists today use physics to help people and how the Ancient Greeks used the study of physics thousands of years ago. Then, meet Neil deGrasse Tyson and learn how he used TV to teach more people about the science of physics.
Chemistry
Do your kids like chemistry? Then they’ll love the kitchen experiments included in this mini unit! Get ready to build gas-powered mini rockets and make rainbows as you learn about the science of chemistry.
Plus, meet the master of molecular architecture: Linus Pauling. Linus Pauling developed what we call “valence bond theory.” It explains how electrons are shared and transferred between atoms.
Pauling’s work helps scientists understand why water has its unique properties, how proteins are shaped, and how genetic information is stored.
Meteorology
Learn about the science of weather in a meteorology mini-unit that explains what meteorology is, how we study it, and introduces kids to Joanne Simpson, the first woman in the world to earn a Ph.D. in meteorology.
Then, enjoy hands-on learning by creating a cloud in a jar and setting up your very own DIY weather station. It’s a fun way to study the weather in your area together.
Botany
Do you like plants and flowers? There are some very interesting plants out there! Discover what makes plants like the Venus Flytrap so fascinating and answer all your burning questions about botany in this mini unit.
Get some hands-on botany learning experience as you build a mini terrarium or craft a plant buddy. Then, meet Carl Linneaus, the Father of Modern Botany.
Linneaus made many important contributions to the study of plants, animals, and the natural world. He created a system for naming and classifying living things that is still used by scientists all over the world.
Paleontology
The scientists who study paleontology act like detectives. These paleontologists piece together information about the history of life on Earth. They use fossils to learn about how organisms lived, what they looked like, and how they lived in their environment.
You’ll love the DIY fossil cast activity included in this mini-unit! Plus, you’ll get to learn about Jack Horner. He’s one of the most famous paleontologists of our time! Horner is known for changing how we understand dinosaur behavior.
Oceanography
Then, dive deep into the ocean as you study oceanography with fascinating scientists like Robert Ballard. In 1985, Ballard made history by discovering the wreck of the RMS Titanic, a passenger ship that sank in 1912 after hitting an iceberg.
The Titanic remained lost for more than 70 years. Many people doubted it would ever be found. Using a robotic submarine called Argo and a technique called side-scan sonar, Ballard and his team located the wreck.
Kids can get in on the oceanography fun with an ocean layer jar activity and study ocean currents with a hands-on simulation activity. It’s the perfect science to study together before your family beach vacation!
Anatomy
Are your kids fascinated by the human body? Then, they’ll love becoming anatomists with famous scientists like Andreas Vesalius and Adam Kay. They can even get in on the learning fun by dissecting fruits and vegetables or constructing paper skeletons.
Ecology
Ecologists are scientists who explore how living things interact with each other and their environment. They study everything from tiny bacteria to entire ecosystems. They help us understand the connections between plants, animals, air, water, and land.
This science study is perfect for Earth Day because ecologists work to solve environmental problems like pollution, climate change, and deforestation. Kids can practice ecology by conducting a soil pH test or building bug hotels in the backyard in this science section.
More Science Resources For Your Homeschool
Need more science resources for your homeschool? There are lots of exciting science learning options available here at The Waldock Way! Check out a few of our latest science discovery decks:
How are you studying science in your homeschool this year? Which science are your kids most excited to learn more about? Share your favorite scientific branches and experiments in the comments.