5 Ways to Earn High School Lab Credit
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I base my high schoolers’ course list on our state public college entrance requirements. In NC, state colleges expect applicants to have at least 1 high school lab credit listed on their high school transcript. Of course, this is just the minimum. I have set my own homeschool high school graduation requirements higher.
What is a high school lab science course?
At its core, a science lab class is hands-on work related to the science subject.
Typical high school science subject areas with labs include biology, chemistry, physics, and anatomy. The actual lab portion will vary for every subject. Biology labs might involve dissections, while chemistry labs will work with more chemicals.
There doesn’t seem to be any set requirements in terms of the number of lab experiments performed. Personally, I want to include as many experiments as possible.
The science labs are taught alongside the curriculum, and together they equal 1 high school credit. Many parents stress about how to plan high school science labs. After all, we don’t have well-stocked science labs. We are usually doing science lessons at the kitchen table.
Here are 5 ways to earn high school lab credit.
5 Ways to Earn High School Lab Credit
Kristin Moon Science Lab Video Courses
Last year my daughter used the Kristin Moon Science Chemistry Lab Video Course. I was so impressed, and it is now my favorite way to earn high school lab credit!
This option requires minimal parental involvement. There are currently two high school courses available – chemistry and biology.
Kristin Moon Science Lab Video Courses are my favorite way to earn high school lab credit because:
- Dr. Moon has a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology and a Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics. She knows her stuff!
- The labs are more than just kitchen science
- The course is well organized
- There are 30+ lab experiments and activities
- It works with any science curriculum or textbook
- The experiments actually work
- The supply lists make it easy to order all of the materials at the beginning of the year
- Dr. Moon always reminds the students to clean up their workspace at the end of each lesson
Parents can be as involved or as hands-off as they would like. I like to watch the videos with my teens, but that is because I enjoy science. I could easily let my students watch the video and do the lab without participating.
Students work through the labs while watching an online video of Dr. Moon performing the lab. She demonstrates everything while also explaining why an experiment works.
Related: Fantastic High School Biology Labs for High Schoolers
The explanation part of labs is something that is often missing from other lab options. Students fill out lab reports based on their experiments.
One of my goals in homeschooling high school is to give my kids a better education than they would get if they were public high school students, and this course helps me do that. My kids get to do more than 30 experiments a year in these lab courses!
Related: Online Homeschool Chemistry Lab Videos to Make Teaching Easy
Homeschool Co-op
Homeschool co-ops are all different, so the amount of parental involvement will vary. Some co-ops plan for parents to drop off their high schoolers so that a paid teacher can lead lab classes. Other co-ops require a parent to volunteer within the co-op. There are even co-ops where parents take turns teaching or assisting in a class.
It can be tricky to find a homeschool co-op that is a good fit for your family. Be sure to ask questions before signing up. Some questions include:
- Is the class religious or secular?
- What curriculum/textbook is used? Is it supplied or an additional purchase?
- What are parental expectations?
- What are the teacher’s qualifications?
- What is the course description?
- How much work is expected outside of the class?
- What is the price?
- What are the dates and times?
There are no right or wrong answers for everyone, but the responses will help you determine if it is an option for your family.
Related: How to Start a Homeschool Co-op
Lab Book
This option is going to require a lot of parent involvement and flexibility. Parents will need to do all of the research, planning, and teaching.
When my daughter took biology in 9th grade, I attempted to use the lab book that went along with her science textbook. I had chosen a traditional science textbook and happily added the study guide and the lab workbook to my shopping cart.
I thought that the lab book would make it easy to do experiments at home. I was wrong.
The labs were designed to be completed in a classroom science lab and required materials that I could not get my hands on. Some of the labs required supplies such as dialysis tubing, planarians, magnetic centromeres, an electrophoresis chamber, antibiotics, and cross sections of assorted bones.
Needless to say, I ended up doing a lot of research and substituting quite a few lab exercises. My daughter did earn a high school lab credit, but I chose not to use this lab book when my son took high school biology.
Combine Lab Resources
This option requires the most parental involvement. Parents need to determine the goals, research different lab resources, organize them in a way that makes sense, and do all of the teaching. It can be a lot of work.
Despite what I just said, I am going this route with my daughter’s anatomy course. She has already taken 2 science lab classes (biology and chemistry), but when she decided to take anatomy, I couldn’t resist adding in a lab component.
I spent quite a few hours this summer finding hands-on activities and labs to complement each unit within the curriculum.
Dual Enrollment Courses
This option is the most rigorous. It is an entire year’s worth of college science labs in one semester. Utilizing dual enrollment is pretty hands-off for the parent because the college instructor is doing all of the planning, teaching, and grading.
Dual enrollment can be a way to earn high school lab credit and college credit all at once. Depending on your state, it might even be free.
Related: 5 Things to Know About Dual Enrollment
However, I want to remind you that dual enrollment classes are college-level courses with college-level expectations. Community college, where most dual enrollment students attend, can contain adult course content.
This can be a good option for highly motivated advanced high school students, but students will probably do best if they have some lab experience before signing up. The final grade is awarded by the course teacher and stays on the official college transcript forever.
Frequently Asked Questions about High School Lab Credit
Is lab credit just for science?
Science is typically the only course with a lab component that is listed on the transcript. Things like physical education, social studies, and fine arts can certainly have a hands-on component to the lessons, but that is just expected.
Does Earth science have a lab?
Usually, Earth science, physical science, and general science courses do not have an accompanying lab. However, if you find or create a lab option, you can certainly make these lab courses.
Can homeschool students take science Advanced Placement classes for credit?
Yes, homeschoolers can take AP courses. It is important to note that Advanced Placement is a term regulated by the College Board. A class can only be called ‘AP’ or ‘Advanced Placement’ on a transcript if the course curriculum has been approved by the College Board.
The AP exam is separate from the actual course. A homeschooler can take the exam as long as they can find a school willing to give them a seat for the test. Start looking early if this is the route you want to go!
Some colleges will award college credit if a student obtains a certain score on the AP exam.
If the AP course does not have a lab component, you can add one of the options mentioned above.
Can a science with lab ever be an elective course?
Sure, electives can be found in any subject area. I would recommend having a plan to meet the college entrance requirements before branching out to science electives.
A few science electives include:
- Astronomy
- Oceanography
- Forensic science
Related: Simple Guide to High School Electives
I hope these descriptions help you determine the best way for your student to earn high school lab credit.
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