How to Homeschool Science

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Every homeschool parent has a favorite subject and a subject they just dread teaching. Over the years of homeschooling I have noticed that many parents worry about how to homeschool science. This is especially true of high school science!

They are intimidated by everything they forgot since their time in a classroom. That is okay. We can overcome this worry! We just need a solid plan on how to homeschool science even if it isn’t our best subject.

One of the great things about homeschooling is that we get to learn right alongside our kids. We can relearn, or learn for the first time, all of the material.

As an example, a few years ago my kids wanted to study marine biology. This sounded like an interesting idea, but there was one little problem. I have never taken a marine biology class in my life! I decided to use a few of these methods and learn right alongside my kids. We had a great year and we all learned a ton!

How to Homeschool Science

Outsource the Teaching

The easiest way to homeschool science when you are not confident with the material is to let someone else do the teaching. You don’t have to do all of the teaching just because you homeschool!

There are a few ways to outsource homeschool science instruction:

  • Homeschool Co-op
  • Online Class
  • Trade Teaching with Another Family

Homeschool Co-op

Homeschool co-ops let homeschool students have a classroom experience. Every co-op operates a little differently, but the teachers are generally excited about the material they teach. Parents might teach the classes, or the co-op might hire a professional teacher.

I suggest finding a co-op in your area by asking other families for recommendations. If you don’t know any other homeschool families, try asking in a Facebook group for your area.

Related: How to Start a Homeschool Co-op

Online Class

If an in-person homeschool co-op class isn’t right for you, an online class might be a great option. Some classes are pre-recorded, and others are taught live via Zoom.

Online classes give us access to people who love teaching science, even if they don’t live nearby. This method of teaching has become much easier to find in recent years.

This option usually doesn’t require much parental involvement.

Related: Online Homeschool Classes

Trade Teaching Responsibilities

Most people have a subject that they enjoy discussing. Maybe you love history. If you have a homeschool friend who enjoys teaching science, you can try trading teaching responsibilities. You teach the children history (or whatever subject is agreed upon), and your friend handles the science lessons.

The benefit to this arrangement is that you delegate the teaching responsibilities and everyone is comfortable with the lessons they teach. However, there is potential for problems if expectations are not set early. I recommend having a discussion while still in the planning process. Agree on:

  • Material to be covered
  • Amount of work required outside of ‘class’
  • Method of teaching (classical, Charlotte Mason, etc.)
  • Curriculum
  • Schedule – when are breaks

Use a Curriculum

If you are not confident homeschooling science and want to use a curriculum, look for one that includes a teacher’s manual. You will still need to actually teach the material to some degree, but some homeschool curricula assume a certain level of student independence.

Sometimes the best way to get excited about a curriculum is to see it in person. If your area has a homeschool store, check it out so you can flip through the pages. Think about the parent involvement required of each curriculum you are considering so that you find the right fit.

Related: How to Choose the Right Curriculum

Gather Tons of Resources

One of the ways to get comfortable homeschooling science is to surround yourself with resources. You don’t need to have all of the answers. You just need to know where to find them!

There are tons of resources available to help you homeschool science! Some options include:

Keep reading . . .

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Welcome! My name is Jennifer. I am a teacher at heart. Before my children were born I was a public school teacher. Now, I am a homeschooling mom of two.