You want to find a homeschool science curriculum that does not challenge your core beliefs on every page. You also want to find a Biblically-based science curriculum that will properly train potential future scientists. Does such a curriculum exist? It’s possible to find a homeschool science curriculum that starts with a Biblical worldview and teaches the critical thinking skills necessary for your children to become scientists, if that’s what they want to be. Keep reading to find out what to look for in a Christian homeschool science curriculum.
What is a Christian homeschool science curriculum?
A Christian homeschool science curriculum is one that presents the facts and methods of science and discovery from a biblical perspective. This kind of curriculum may be called Creation-based science or will support a biblical view of creation. We should avoid the extreme viewpoint that science and Christianity are at odds. We should also avoid studying science for the purpose of defending the Christian faith. Your science curriculum should not be an apologetics study. It should include rigorous science content, covering the same topics and issues that any student would be expected to learn, and critical thinking with an underlying foundation of the Bible.
Why Your Child Should Learn Science from a Biblical Perspective
It’s important to consider a biblical perspective of science because many science textbooks present concepts from a naturalistic foundation (a worldview in which nature—that which we experience with our senses—is all there is). The naturalist expects every phenomenon to have a natural explanation. This worldview leaves no room for supernatural acts of God. No miracles. No creation out of nothing. Certainly no resurrection. We need to be aware that every writer and every scientist has a worldview. No one can assemble facts into a narrative with complete objectivity. Our backgrounds, assumptions, and beliefs influence the narrative we create. As Christians, we support a biblical view of creation. We see all of life within the framework of God’s creation, man’s fall, and our redemption through Jesus Christ. The metaphor of God’s two books, nature (Romans 1:20) and scripture, indicates that the two reveal Him to us in complementary ways.
What does the Bible say about science?
Science in the Bible isn’t about looking for examples of biblical people using the scientific method or practicing science. Instead, we find out what the Bible says about science by listening to God’s commands and recognizing how they apply to scientific practices. The Bible gives a creation mandate for people to subdue the earth and have dominion over it (Genesis 1). Our study of science allows us to make the plants and animals as useful as possible to us. We understand that this will often be difficult because of the curse of sin. We are to be good stewards of the environment, but not because we worry that mankind is destroying the earth. The book of Revelation tells us how the earth will be ultimately destroyed. The Bible is also clear that knowledge itself is never enough to redeem us.
As you study the history of scientific advancements, you will come to realize that faith in God was a strong driver of early scientific discovery. Kepler, Boyle, Faraday and Morse are among the recognizable names of Christian men of science.
The writers of scripture certainly did not have the scientific understanding that we have in modern times. However, it is very interesting to read the book of Job, especially chapters 38–39 when the Lord answers Job. Job is a book of poetry and beautifully describes the works of the Lord in creating and maintaining the earth.
How to Homeschool Science from a Biblical Worldview
Teaching science from a biblical worldview is easier if you start with a curriculum that has the same foundational beliefs that you hold. According to the two books metaphor, when nature and scripture appear to disagree, you are interpreting at least one of them incorrectly, because they have the same Author.
You might be tempted to avoid your local museum of natural history. I recommend that you visit often, and use it as an opportunity for students to practice evaluating scientific claims from the biblical worldview you are teaching.
Always encourage your children to ask questions. Ask them to make educated guesses (aka hypotheses). Then include them your students and their guesses in the discovery of the answer. Try to design an experiment to test the answer yourself. If it does not work, then check online as a last resort. This is the scientific method in a nutshell, and students will learn it best by practicing it.
What to Look for in a Christian Homeschool Science Curriculum
A science curriculum that includes these elements will help to guide you in some of the difficult areas that you may not feel like an expert in. As you’re looking at available homeschool curriculum options, be sure to keep these elements in mind as you look. The first four will be vital for a successful homeschool science experience. The last two will be nice to have, depending on the needs of your homeschool.
Biblical Integration
Not only should the curriculum be based on a biblical worldview, but the teachings of Scripture should be integrated and not just appear as add-ons. The Bible is not the icing on the cake. It is integral to the study of God’s world.
Scientific Content
The content of the curriculum must meet your state’s standards for science education. For example, my state’s biology standard spells out that students must learn about heredity, diversity and interdependence of life, evolution, and cells. It is valuable for your student to understand the key tenets of evolution in a biblically-based approach to science, so that she does not argue against a straw man of her own making when confronted with it.
Creative Thinking Skills
The curriculum should give students practice at honing their critical and creative thinking skills.
Laboratory and STEM Activities
The benefits of hands-on labs to your child’s science education are unrivaled.
Teacher Aids
Look for a curriculum that has sufficient tools provided for your style of homeschooling, whether parent led or independent learning.
Customizability
Everyone’s homeschool is different. Find a curriculum that is customizable to fit your needs.
How We Write Homeschool Science Textbooks from a Biblical Worldview
Our elementary science curriculum has four themes woven throughout. First, we start with a young earth model of creation. Second, we teach that the design of nature by a Creator means we can expect to find order in it. Third, because mankind is created in the image of God, we have responsibility to care for God’s creation. Finally, the end goal is to glorify God through the study of science. The elementary textbooks incorporate STEM activities and the use of models to explain science. Ultimately elementary students learn that the natural world belongs to God and brings Him glory.
Our middle and high school science curriculum expands on these themes with age-appropriate language, stunning visuals, and practical opportunities for students to use their problem-solving skills.
Shop Our Homeschool Science Curriculum
Our elementary science curriculum covers first through fifth grade, gradually increasing in amount of content and scope of content from course to course. Science 1, 2, and 3 are 90-day courses for short studies and overviews of foundational science courses. As students advance in 4th and 5th grade, they will spend more time studying scientific concepts. Throughout middle school and high school, students will complete progressively deeper studies on each topic.
Elementary Science Curriculum
Middle school science curriculum
High school science curriculum
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Valerie is a wife and a mother to a very busy preschooler. In her free time she enjoys reading all kinds of books. She earned a B.S. in Biology from Bob Jones University, minoring in Mathematics, and a Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics from Ohio State University. Valerie has 15 years of experience working in research laboratories and has coauthored 8 original research articles. She has also taught several classes and laboratories at the high school and college levels. She currently works as a Data Analyst and a freelance writer.
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