Get a Homeschool Science Membership for the Whole Family {A Greg Landry's Homeschool Science/Homeschool Review Crew Review}

 Disclosure: I received this complimentary product through the Homeschool Review Crew.

What happens when a former college professor and veteran homeschool dad spends about two decades teaching thousands of homeschooled students and hundreds of college students in the U.S. and worldwide Science? Whole families get to reap the benefits of Grade 1-12 Science resources with practical, self-paced courses as a part of Greg Landry's Homeschool Science Membership from Greg Landry's Homeschool Science.

Our family was introduced to Greg Landry's in 2021 when my son opted to review a half-semester Biochemistry and Microbiology class. Having met with success with that course, but then veered away from Science studies while concentrating on other things, my son has now returned to Greg Landry's Homeschool Science as he works to complete his high school Science credits.

When I asked him to write out his thoughts for this review, he shared the following.

What Is this Product?

A Greg Landry's Homeschool Science Membership includes access to courses for Grades 1-12, including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy and Physiology, and online labs. Each high school level course contains pre-recorded video lessons and a pdf workbook. The workbooks have worksheets, note taking, and diagrams. 

Why Did I Choose this Product?

I paused my Science studies for a while and now want to finish all of my Science credits in one year. So, I chose Greg Landry's Science, because it has both sciences I need in one place which allows me to get used to the program and then use it through both programs instead of jumping to different ones as I usually do.

When I took Greg Landry's Science before, I found that lessons were easy to complete and more importantly to me, not time consuming. Unlike with other programs I have used, I can speed up and slow down the videos, which allows me to take things at my own pace.

This is a feature I like about these courses.

How Do Lessons Flow?

Let me take you through the process of a lesson. First you log onto your Canvas account, open the course you want, open the next video lesson in it, and grab some paper or the special note taking sheets Greg Landry provides if you have opted to print them out. Then, while watching the video, you take notes. After this you complete the worksheets and can also do corresponding labs from the online labs access.

Would I Recommend this Product?

I have recently realized that I prefer in-person lessons over online ones for subjects such as Science, so while Greg Landry Science is not my absolute favorite style of program, I still find it reliable and easy to use. It gets the job done, and, for this reason, I would recommend it to any high school age homeschool student and their parents who don’t have access or time for in person learning. 

Learn More

A Greg Landry's Homeschool Science Membership offers you and your family access to over $4500 (if purchased separately) of Science and Virtual Labs for grades 1-12 plus things for Mom and Dad. For students in grades six or above, the courses can typically be self-paced with little parent involvement.

My approach to using the high school courses with my son is to let him watch videos, take notes, use the pdfs, etc. as he wishes to and, then, to check up on him by browsing his notes binder and using the optional downloadable True or False tests and require the online labs as well.

I am happy to be able to have my son finish his Science credits at his own now-quickened pace with Greg Landry's Science and recommend Greg Landry's Homeschool Science Membership as an effective resource that makes Science accessible for your family to pace through as needed. With monthly membership payments that decrease every six months, Greg Landry can become your Science "easy button".

Ten Homeschool Review Crew families have been blessed to review Greg Landry's Homeschool Science Membership. Click through to find reviews of each family's experience.

You might also like some of the free resources Greg Landry offers.

Connect Faith and Science with Ease {An Indescribable Kids The Wonder of Creation: 100 More Devotions About God and Science Review}

Disclaimer: I received this Complementary Product through the Homeschool Review Crew.

Got a curious science lover who likes to read? I do!

He's been enjoying the book from Indescribable Kids series called The Wonder of Creation: 100 More Devotions About God and Science.

Authored by Louie Giglio with Tama Fortner and illustrated by Nicola Anderson, this hardcover edition is geared towards kids ages 6-10 or so, but can be fun for older readers like mine to dip into as well.

In it, there are 100 devotions illustrated with bright and engaging full-color drawings and, sometimes, striking photographs. The devotions cover wide variety of topics, such as:

• animals--from honeyguide birds to flying snakes to white rhinos

• space--from black holes to volcanic moons to gamma-ray bursts

• people--from optical illusions to brain freezes to our immune systems

• Earth--from rainbow rivers to blue lava to flowing glaciers

• and much more.

Of course, you can read these in order -using the attached book ribbon to keep your place. Or, you can use the table of contents and the the provided subject index to find specific devotions that key into topics of interest. (My son chose to do the former.)

Each devotional is presented as a two-page spread which features interesting scientific information on a specific topic, a faith-based connection, a short Bible verse, a closing prayer, and related illustrations and photographs.

When our copy of the book arrived at our house, I loved seeing my son dive right into it.

In fact, the scenario went like this:

"I think I heard a package getting delivered. Will you check the stoop?"  I said to my son.

"Sure, Mom...It looks like a book." My son handed me the package.

I opened it. "It is a book. YOUR book."

My son then sat down immediately in a chair with The Wonder of Creation: 100 More Devotions About God and Science, and, the next thing I knew, he was marveling, "Mom, how could an animal be that small!" and questioning "How many tons of trash do you think there is on Mt. Everest?"  

 

A bit later, my son asked if we could look up some documentaries on jerbers and the bunny trails began... 

Since then, my son has been reading the book at his own pace between doing other things. When I asked him for his thoughts for this review, he told me:

I have read half-way through the book. It is easy reading. So far, the things I found the most interesting were that:

• there is 11 tons of trash on Mt. Everest.

• there is a human-looking robot on the International Space Station that, origonally walked around on its hands but now has legs, that there is also a robot based off origami that thas two wheels and can flatten itself out to explore crevices, and that there is one named Cube-Shaped Hedgehog that can tumble across asteroids and hop.

• Baluchistan pigmy jerbers are weigh barely more than a penny, are two inches long and have a 3-inch tail, and hope aroud the desert.

 

I found the facts in the book much more interesting than the Bible connections, but some people might like the Bible stuff.

I would recommend this book for others who like to read about random facts and the wonders of creation. I plan to finish reading the book because it is fun to read.

The next day, he was reading the book again, so he is carrying through on that plan.

With my son's experience and commentary in mind - as well as just knowing what kinds of books my older children liked when they were younger, I would definitely recommend this book as a fun, educational, faith-connected read aloud with younger children or a free read for kids who are able to read it on their own. 

It would be ideal for science-loving kids who like to learn across different topics. Bible-loving kids who wish to see how science and the Word connect will also like the book. 

Parents who tend to strew materials which might spark deeper dives will likely find the book piques curiosity and inspires further study -  especially the call-outs in each devotional spread that invite kids to "Explore the Wonder".

Kids and parents who are looking for quick, easy, yet informative bedtime and morning reading and those who gently want to add some STEM materials to their days may also like the book. 

To see what other families thought about the book, head on over to the Homeschool Review Crew to find links to many reviews. 

You may also to engage with Indescribable Kids on social media at:

Facebook (Tommy Nelson)

Instagram (Tommy Nelson)

Instagram (Louie Giglio)

Instagram (Indescribable Kids)

Happy reading!

Learn Biochemistry and Microbiology at Your Own Pace {A Greg Landry Homeschool Science / Homeschool Crew Review}

Disclosure: I received this complimentary product through the Homeschool Review Crew.

Do you have an older student who prefers self-paced online studies over books and "with Mom" learning?

My eldest child has always liked science, but, in recent years, has not wanted "with Mom" science studies. Thus, we are always looking for self-directed program that engage him enough to stick with and learn from, such as the Self-paced 7th-12th grade Half-Semester Classes that Greg Landry’s Homeschool Science offer.

The courses can give you and yours an excellent taste of what asynchronous, quality online science learning can be, too!

My eldest son was interested in taking one of these courses -  Biochemistry /Microbiology - when course access was offered to us for review, and he's been quite pleased with it, both because he finds the course interesting, engaging, and easy to use and also because, when he completes the course, he will have earned another 0.5 credits for High School Science as he moves towards his goal of graduating early and also because

What is Greg Landry's Home Science?

Greg Landry’s Homeschool Science is a quality resource that can help make science learning - including labs - engaging and doable for 3rd through 12th-grade students who benefit from Live or Self-Paced Online Classes.

A Science educator with over 25 years of teaching experience, Greg Landry has taught and mentored thousands of students from homeschool to college. In doing so, he has designed and directed university Science courses including anatomy and physiology, biology, and cadaver labs; has had his scientific research published; has written several science lab manuals; and has developed online science programs which continue to be chosen by homeschool students as their go-to for science.

His Greg Landry’s Homeschool Science  offers College Prep Science that seeks to educate students through lessons which build scientific inquiry, critical thinking, process reasoning  and data collection while also focusing on the graphical and written representation of research.

A professor, homeschool father, and husband, Greg is also a Christian. In fact, Greg designed his courses to help homeschool families, and has stated:

The Lord has made me very aware of my need for a grateful heart. I’m grateful for a God who knows me and loves me (with all of my faults), for my family, for the thousands of homeschooling families I’ve had the privilege of  working with over the past 20 years, for every sunrise, for the magnificence of His Creation, and for the trials in my life (James 1:2-4 ) that shape and mold me, humble me, produce perseverance, and mature me in my faith.

Greg has a heart for his students and a passion for science. As such, his College Prep courses aim to teach students the science they need to graduate and go on to university studies while also helping them to see that "God's creation did not just happen by chance - it wasn't an accident, a fluke of nature."

Tuition/access to one of Greg's self-paced half-semester course like the one my son is taking offers:

• access to seven recorded classes sessions - whcih average 20-30 minutes each - that may be used by anyone in your family at his or her own pace 
• a PDF study guide by Greg Landry 

• email access to Professor Landry for any questions you may have as you use the class

The Biochemistry/Microbiology class which my son is taking covers carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, DNA, vitamins, hormones, viruses, bacteria, epidemics, antibiotics, pathogen cultures, and top 10 pathogen diseases.

My Son's Experience

To be honest, besides browsing the Greg Landry website, occasionally taking a peek at my son's course on my own, giving my son access to the Biochemistry / Microbiology course and checking in with him periodically to see if he needs me for anything or to ask him what he is learning, I have been hands-off with this course - just the way my son likes things.

My 15-year-old prefers self-paced, no Mom-needed learning.

So, when it came time to write this review, I asked him for more details about his experiences what he had to say about his experience with this course so far:

I chose the Biochemisitry / Microbiology half-semester course because it looked interesting. I had learned a bit about Microbiology in a biology class I took before and wanted to learn more.

In order to take the course, I had to log in on Canvas. Then, navigation was easy. 

 

I also had to print out notetaking sheets and some other materials and use the PDF coursebook online.

For each lesson, I watch Professor Landry teach a pre-recorded class for around 20 minutes. As he teaches, I take notes. Then, I complete worksheets when I have had time to print them out.

 

I enjoyed learning about glucose and glycogen and how, when there is a shortage of one, your body sends out signals to your body so that the cells break down the other. I find it interesting how the body can regulate itself so well.

 

I also was surprised to learn that if you have diabetes, you can go blind from it.

 

Another surprise with the course is that it really improved my notetaking skills. Professor Landry gave me an example of how to take notes that gives me a framework that works better than other approaches I have taken. I have even used his notetaking sheets for other courses I am taking.

I would recommend this course to highschoolers who want to take a deeper dive into the specifics of microbiology and biochemistry.

I would not recommend it to people who don't like biology, are not Christian, or cannot simply ignore the prayers at the beginning of classes and the sign visible in the background.

The science is sound, and I am enjoying it.

Learn More

Greg Landry offers a wide array of science classes, to include the following ons which Homeschool Crew members had the choice of selecting from:

• the Virtual, interactive homeschool laboratory which is geared toward students in grades 7-12 and has two options:  a two-week lab intensive with set dates or a self-paced family subscription for Biology, Chemistry, or Physics. 

• the Self-paced 4th-7th grade one-semester classes which can be worked through at your own pace with pre-recorded classes of Young Scientist Anatomy & Physiology, Young Scientist Biology, Young Scientist Chemistry, Young Scientist Physics, or Young Scientist Earth & Space Science.

• the Self-paced 7th-12th grade half-semester classes, which include the Biochemistry / Microbiology my son is taking, or Exercise & Sports Physiology, Embryology / Endocrinology, Earth & Space Science, or Study Skills / Measurement / Lab Reports / Graphing.

Click through to find reviews of each family's experience.

You might also like some of the free resources Greg Landry offers.

Transition Students from Elementary to High School Science with Apologia {A Review}

Some links which follow may be affiliate ones.

If you are looking for a General Science curriculum with a Biblical Worldview to help you middle schoolers bridge the gap between elementary science explorations and high school studies, the updated and revised Exploring Creation with General Science, 3rd Edition by Apologia could be just what you seek. 

Apologia generously sent me the Textbook, Student Notebook, and Solutions and Test Manual for review, and, I have to say, this homeschool science for middle school program is one I am glad to have on hand

A Well-Designed Textbook 

The Exploring Creation with General Science, 3rd Edition Textbook goes both broad and deep. 

 It is a 400+ page hardcover book written in a conversational style that goes broad in that it covers a wide range of topics over 14 modules, including Astronomy, Geology and Paleontology, Meteorology and Oceanography, Chemistry, Physics, Life Science, Biology, Marine Science, and Environmental Science.

It goes deep in that it covers the History of Science, Scientific Inquiry, the Scientific Method, Documenting and Interpreting Experimental Results, Scientific Analysis, and Science and Creation, all while encouraging independent study, mastery of knowledge of contemporary scientific concepts, and the grounding necessary to transition to high school science and continue on with a lifelong passion for exploring God’s creation.

The author of the course has this to say about its design and big ideas:



Within each of the 14 modules in the Textbook, there are several related topics covered, experiments and activities, study guide questions, and more.

Modules are designed to take about 2 1/2 weeks with a 4 day schedule of 45 minute class periods, which adds up to a 33 week course with plenty of wiggle room for those busy weeks when you might need to flex. 

Each module is easy to locate with color coded tabs and top margins in the text. 

Each module starts out with a “Quaestio” (or question in Latin), which gives you something to think about as you enter into the new module.

Text words in blue boldface offer definitions to memorize and those in black boldface signal important terms to comprehend.

 Right from the beginning of the Textbook, there are also several “What To Do” instructions that guide you with notetaking, experiments, and to filling out your lab reports. 

“On Your Own” questions help you to see if you are understanding and retaining the information. Answers for these can be checked at the end of modules, so you can easily see what you might want to go back to study again. 

Activities come in two types: “Experiments” and “Explore More”.  These are clearly marked and explained.

Experiments are concise and described in an easy-to-follow way. They can be completed with things that you likely already have or you can obtain at your local grocery, pharmacy, or hardware store without trouble. (A complete list of supplies is broken down by module and experiment in the back of the book.) 

The “Explore More” are quick, appealing, hands-on activities help you better understand concepts you’re learning. 

The entire book is visually appealing with helpful color coding, a decent amount of white space, short paragraphs, plenty of photos and graphics, etc.

A Lay-Flat and Super Helpful Student Notebook

The Student Notebook is a 540+ page, full-color, spiral-bound, consumable resource that helps you truly get the most out of the course.

It begins with information on notetaking, experiments, and grading for parents and teachers and has a handy lesson plan/checklist and grading rubrics.

Then, there are sections for each module, where you will find: 

• a colored box called “What To Do” at the beginning of each lesson which tells you all the information needed to complete that day’s lesson. 
• areas for notetaking.

• prompts.
• tables and infographics.

• “Creation Connections” sections which encourage you to freely express your thoughts on how you view the world in relation to what you are learning and how what you are learning applies to their everyday life.

• material lists for experiments.

and more.

At the end of Student Notebook, there is also a lab report checklist and grading rubric.

Easy-to-Use Testing Materials

The Solutions and Test Manual contain blank copies of tests and copies with solutions on them for all modules except the Science and Creation one. 

These are separately bound so there is no temptation for students with a test booklet to look ahead at answers (not that any would 😉) and the first two module tests suggest that you take them in an open-book test method with access to the Textbook and Student Notebook.

Tests are fairly brief and include fill-in, multiple choice, matching, and short answer questions. 

In my opinion, an additional notebook for writing out your answers is necessary for the short answer portions, but, otherwise, the tests are open-and-go.

Final Thoughts

In addition to the materials I have already described, there is also an MP3 Audio CD and/or the Video Instruction Thumb Drive available to go with Exploring Creation with General Science, 3rd Edition Textbook, which, unfortunately for me and mine, we were not able to get yet. 
However, I have used the CD’s with past Apologia curriculum and can attest they are usually very well done and hugely helpful for my family which is often on the road and includes one child with reading challenges.  In fact, for me and mine, the audio book is typically an essential part of the program that makes it flexible, accessible, and just what we can use.

That said, truly each of the program components is well-designed and can help get you working independently, diving into science, doing experiments, etc. with proficiency, passion, and a Christian worldview. For these reasons, I recommend A Exploring Creation with General Science, 3rd Edition Textbook to anyone with a middle school level student that is ready to take the next steps in science learning and discovery!

Learn More

If you'd like a larger taste of what the program has to offer, click to view a SAMPLE.

To learn more about Apologia, connect on Social Media:

 Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Read the reviews.

You can also see what 39 other reviewers thought about Exploring Creation with General Science, 3rd Edition Textbook clicking through to all the Homeschool Crew reviews.

You can also view all our prior Apologia reviews.

Easy-to-Use Online Science! {A Supercharged Science Review}

Are you looking for an easy-to-use online science curriculum that encourages real-life, hands-on learning as well and covers a broad range of topics for children at a K-12 level?

Then, the e-Science Homeschool Science Curriculum by Supercharged Science would be great for you and your family!

We were blessed with a one-year subscription for review, which my oldest - a 13-year-old - has been using regularly, and which I am excited to jump into more with my younger two children in the months to come.

Much of the review which follows was drafted or narrated by my 13-year-old directly, since he has been our primary user e-Science Homeschool Science Curriculum so far.

What follows is a review largely drafted and narrated by my son, since he is the one who used this helpful science program the most so far in our home.


What is Supercharged Science?

Supercharged Science is an online science curriculum created by Aurora Lipper, a former NASA scientist and mechanical engineer, who was disheartened by the lack of a basic science foundation and excitement for all things “science” among her students, and so created this program so that children would not be bored out of their minds and would actually learn important science concepts and have fun.

It has a large archive of short teaching videos, experiments (demonstrated on video), printables and more which take you through a broad spectrum of science subjects, such as physics, biology, astrophysics, chemistry, electronics, and more.

You can study these by grade level - pre-K/K through Grade 8, and then Advanced Topics for high school - or by topic unit, of which there are 20.

Either way, you learn science at your own pace in an interesting way. Why and How Did I Use Supercharged Science? When my mother asked me if I wanted to do Supercharged Science, I said, "yes", because I have decided that I want to begin high school early and thought this would be a good way to see if I am ready to do so.

My mom agreed that I could try any Supercharged Science Advanced Topic as an independent study. I chose the Physics, because it was the first thing there. To use the program, I just had to open a video, grab my notebook and a pencil, and do the work. Aurora talked on the videos and wrote things out while I took notes. She taught me about velocity, vectors, scalers, acceleration, and more so far.

She also presented experiments which look easy, fun, and not to expensive. You can understood the concepts of the experiments just by watching them, but it is great to do some, too, which I do when I can. Here are some pictures my brother took of me as he was helping me with an experiment on acceleration. (Mom says, ignore the mess all around.)

To do the experiment, I drew a line on the driveway, put the ball on the line, and held my foot there to keep it there.

I started the stopwatch and let the ball go at the same time and stopped it at one second, marked it, and kept doing it, increasing by one second each time.

What should have happened is that the farther down the hill it got, the longer the distance should have been between seconds. This didn't happen though. I think it is because of the shape of my driveway. In my experiment, each second went about the same distance. So, I would probably need to retry it with a surface that has a more angled, not curvy decline than my driveway.

Do I Recommend Supercharged Science? I have told my mom that Supercharged Science is the science I want to use through next year to earn some of my high school credits. I like that it is easy to use, has a good order to it, and can take me through entire course without my mom. I suggest this product for those of all ages who need to learn science and especially for kids like me who want to learn independently.

My mom said she also thinks the program is good and will be using it with my brother and sister. There are many fun experiments and hands-on activities for all ages within Supercharged Science. See some of them in the other Crew Reviews.

Now back to Mom: As a Mom, I know my son. He is taking the rigor of the Physics program as easily as he can right now...

...taking shoddy, messy notes...

...and not truly diving as deeply into things as he could and will need to for high school credits. This is NOT because of the program - which has everything you'd need and more for a high school physics class (including some math help videos,...) It is because he is only 13 and has not dealt with something with this kind of rigor yet. So, he is taking things s-l-o-w-l-y, working for a brief 10-20 minute period several times a week "because that's how long the videos are, Mom."

I have explained to him that he will also need to get better about keeping his science notebook, writing out labs, reading included text, etc. - not to mention spend more time in a sitting or dedicate more sittings - if he wants to finish the course in a year. He understands that now and still wants to proceed - without me, of course. 

I am all for having him try.

Aurora makes a wonderful virtual teacher, presenting things clearly and offering everything needed to help students succeed. Between Aurora's enthusiasm for science as seen in the videos, her clear teaching, the text, handy supply lists, experiments, and everything else in e-Science Homeschool Science Curriculum truly is a great offering for homeschoolers who wish to have students study on their own or for ones that like to work together with parents and kids. Kinesthetic learners, visual learners, and audio learners are all "spoken to" and the program is one I would recommend.

Read all the reviews.

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