Homeschool science is a passion of ours, as is helping homeschoolers teach science.
We travel around the US sharing about how to teach science at home. And we strive to provide materials and content to help each and every one of you teach this subject at home.
In all of this, we have run across lots of misconceptions about homeschool science—fallacies about science that we would like to debunk with the homeschool truth.
The three most common misconceptions are:
- Science is a lofty subject that only experts can teach.
- Science is boring.
- Science experiments require dangerous chemicals.
Let’s dig into these misconceptions and see what the real scoop is!
3 Common Misconceptions about Homeschool Science
Misconception #1 –Science is a lofty subject that only experts can teach.
This misconception comes from the idea that science in a lofty subject best left to the experts. And while this is true about certain aspects, like genetic recombination and nanotechnology, the bulk of science can be understood, appreciated, and taught by the average homeschool mom.
The key here is to get a good curriculum, meaning it contains the three keys for teaching science, from a trusted source. This will support and guide you as you seek to teach science to your students.
The Homeschool Truth: With the right curriculum as your guide, you can teach science at home.
Misconception #2 – Science is boring.
I know that more than a handful of you graduated high school thinking that science has to be boring. Because that describes your experience with the subject to a tee. And I don’t blame you. After all dry lectures, sleep-inducing textbooks, and non-existent experiments will produce a boring science experience.
But as homeschoolers, we get to rewrite the version of the story for our students. Science can be fun and exciting! We can do this by using interesting hands-on introductions to the subjects and by reading from resources like encyclopedias and living books rather than just the standard text.
The Homeschool Truth: As homeschoolers, we can use a variety of materials to make science interesting!
#Misconception 3 – Science experiments require dangerous chemicals.
This misconception comes from assuming that science experiments are full of smelly lab coats and goggles that even a supermodel would look awful in. And that those test invariably include a highly toxic chemical that spills out and over your test tube as you heat it in the sand bath.
Homeschool science experiments are much easier than the ones you remember from your required college lab science. In fact, many of them can be done right in your own kitchen at the very same counter that you plan on using to prepare dinner later on that day.
The Homeschool Truth: Many experiments can be done at home with common, household substitutes.
Wrapping it Up
Have you heard another myth about homeschool science? We would love to hear it! Simply, leave your thoughts in the comments below!
If you want some help with the common hurdles that keep homeschoolers from teaching science, check out the following series:
