Science
Find out where to get science materials and lab equipment, how to teach physics, chemistry, and biology, how to find great science field trips in Florida, and more.
Homeschool Science Resources
We cover all the basics of teaching and learning science in your homeschool. Get tips and ideas for incorporating science education into your everyday life, along with information on materials and curriculum suppliers.
Elementary
Young children learn science best by living and exploring the world around them. Come and get some great resources, tips, and ideas for teaching elementary-aged children science and discovery.
Nature Studies
The study of nature is appealing to people of all ages. It is easy to incorporate nature studies into your homeschooling approach. Some homeschooling methods focus very strongly on nature studies, including the Charlotte Mason method. Learn why it is so important and some great approaches to learning from nature.
Biology & Life Sciences
Learn about the human body, plant life, and the animal world. Come see the resources and ideas we've collected to make learning about biology interesting, easy, and fun. From preschool-aged to high school level, you'll find everything you need here.
Ecology/Conservation
Protecting the Earth for future generations takes first learning about our planet, the environment, and how the ecosystem works. Get ecology teaching tips, project ideas, and more.
Paleontology
Learning about dinosaurs is always fun. Find the best resources on the Internet for studying paleontology and dinosaurs.
Chemistry
From equipment to textbooks, websites to periodic tables, you'll find everything you need to successfully teach chemistry in your homeschool.
Things to See & Do
World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX Theater
Get ready for an exciting semester of stunning new IMAX films! The World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX® Theater is the only place that brings these experiences to you and your students with larger-than-life, IMAX 3D Digital technology. Rich in educational content, the films meet curriculum standards and are accompanied by educator guides for pre- and post-field trip activities. From outer space to the depths of the sea, there is a program to meet every learning level.
Museum of Science and History (MOSH)
Homeschool programs will consist of a 45-minute interactive educational show as well as a suggested “Try This at Home” experiment or activity. All groups will have time before or after programs to explore museum exhibits.
The Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary
The Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary offers visitors an opportunity to learn about tigers, lions, cougars, leopards, bobcats, coatimundis, and foxes. You can enjoy a daytime or nighttime tour.
Disney Youth Student Seminars
Enhance your at-home curriculum with in-park learning. Provide your students with a new out‐of‐the‐box challenge and propel their education to the next level with Disney Student Seminars at Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida. Gather with other homeschool families and explore science, storytelling and technology at a Walt Disney World® Resort theme park. Learn from leaders who offer insight on how knowledge brings our magical attractions to life. Complete your educational itinerary by enrolling in select Disney Youth Education Series with the Individual Enrollment option.
Big Lagoon State Park
This coastal park sits on the northern shoreline of its namesake, Big Lagoon, which separates the mainland from Perdido Key and the Gulf of Mexico. Natural communities, ranging from saltwater marshes to pine flatwoods, attract a wide variety of birds, especially during the spring and fall migrations. Beaches, shallow bays, nature trails, and open woodlands offer splendid opportunities for nature study. The park also beckons visitors with opportunities for camping, swimming, fishing, boating, canoeing, and hiking. Crabbing in the shallow waters of Big Lagoon is a popular activity as well. The West Beach picnic area, shaded by pines and oaks, is just the place to enjoy a relaxing meal.
Marineland Dolphine Adventure
Marineland Dolphin Adventure, the world's first oceanarium, invites you to their 1.3 million gallon series of dolphin habitats. Choose from a variety of interactive programs, which range from those for land-loving guests to enjoy dolphins up-close, to those that offer the opportunity to immerse yourself in the dolphins' aquatic world as you swim with our gentle residents. Experience these amazing animals for yourself. General admission guests are able to view the dolphins through 6 x 10 ft acrylic windows as they swim, play and interact with guests in programs alongside the pristine Atlantic coastline.
Tree Hill Nature Center
Located in the center of Jacksonville, Florida, Tree Hill is the perfect place to connect with nature for individuals and families, school field trips, home schoolers, scout troops, business groups and so much more. Stop by with your friends and family to explore our 50-acres and three ecosystems. Plan a family reunion or evening reception in the beautiful Joseph A. Strasser Amphitheater. Enjoy fresh air, plentiful trails and an on-site butterfly house.Tree Hill is open to the public Monday - Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTM Reserve)
The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve was formed through a collaboration of Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It covers 74,000 acres of coastal lands in northeast Florida from Ponte Vedra Beach to Palm Coast. The GTM Research Reserve is part of a national system of research reserves that focus on research, education and stewardship. The GTM Research Reserve has a 21,000 square foot Environmental Education Center which includes interpretive exhibits, aquariums, classrooms, teaching and working laboratories, an auditorium and an outdoor amphitheater overlooking the Guana River Aquatic Preserve. Education staff offer programming for all ages on the importance of estuarine ecosystems. A Coastal Training Program offers training for professionals on issues of concern in our local community including watershed, invasive plants and much more.
The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience
Founded in 1974, the Whitney Lab is dedicated to using marine model animals for studying fundamental problems in biology and applying that knowledge to issues of human health, natural resources, and the environment. The goal of the Whitney Lab’s K-12 outreach education programs is to use the Lab’s resources and expertise in modern biology to enrich science education in the surrounding communities and increase STEM education for local student learners. At the elementary school level, our programs introduce younger students to the scientific method, and do so in a format that promotes observation and questioning. At the higher level we provide high school students with the resources to conduct an experiment using modern biotechnology.
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens Home School Zoocademy
Zoocademy is a unique experience for Home School students ages 5-18, covering a range of topics in Biology, Zoology, Environmental Science and Conservation. In this series of classes, students ages 5-12 meet for three hours, once a month, for programs that feature Animal Ambassadors, crafts, games, Zoo visits, and more! Students ages 13 and up will now attend Home School Zoocademy through an online course with The Ogburn School.
St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum Home School Programs
All programs and tours focus on a broad range of maritime topics as they relate to Florida, the country, and the world. Program content is tied to the Sunshine State Standards and teach Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education. Programs can easily be designed and formatted to meet the needs of ESE students, older students and students with other educational challenges.
Conner's A-Maize-ing Acres
Conner's A-Maize-ing Acres is open seasonally offering field trips and education on the importance of agriculture and the American farmer.
Museum of Science and History (MOSH)
The Museum of Science and History (MOSH) inspires the joy of lifelong learning by bringing to life the sciences and regional history. Explore the Health in Motion exhibit, learn about the whales, dolphins and manatees of northeast Florida, and check out the daily animal encounters with a naturalists.
Activities & Experiments
ExploraVision
ExploraVision is a competition for all students in grades K-12 attending a school in the U.S., Canada, U.S. Territory or a Department of Defense school. Homeschooled students are eligible to enter. It is designed to encourage students to combine their imagination with their knowledge of science and technology to explore visions of the future. Teams of students select a technology, research how it works and why it was invented, and then project how that technology may change in the future. They must then identify what breakthroughs are required for their vision to become a reality and describe the positive and negative consequences of their technology on society. Winning ideas have focused on things as simple as ballpoint pens and as complex as satellite communications. The student teams write a paper and draw a series of Web page graphics to describe their idea. Regional winners make a Web site and a prototype of their future vision.
Teaching Tips & Ideas
How I Teach a Large Family in a Relaxed, Classical Way: Science
Family style learning is a great way to tackle lots of different subjects, including science.
Kapili.com
Kapili.com offers over three hundred science tutorials and over three hundred activities, broken into general, life, earth, space, and physical science sections. Members can print the tutorials for use offline or in classrooms. Their library continues to grow with a glossary of over 4,500 entries and a species database with over 1,000 animals and plants.
Articles
Khan Academy
Khan Academy is a completely free educational resource site. Students can make use of their extensive library of content, including interactive challenges, assessments, and videos from any computer.
The Trouble With Textbooks
The science books used in the classroom today provide a lot of facts, but they don't help children grasp the most basic concepts about the world we live in.
Featured Resources
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The Grammar Of Our Civility: Classical Education In America
This book explains the history of classical education in America and offers a vision for the role of classical education in 21st century America.
Elementary Geography
Elementary Geography is a reprint of the original work by Charlotte Mason. It includes her ideas about teaching children about their world, with poetry selections throughout the book. Explores ideas of place from space to our earth, seasons, map making, and topography. Written in a pleasing conversational style, it is useful for understanding teaching methods, memorization, and copy work.
America's Spectacular National Parks
The concept of the national park is an American contribution to world civilization, and it remains a defining characteristic of our country. From the rocky shore of Maine's Acadia to the barren crater and lush rain forest of Hawaii's Haleakala, America's national beauty is celebrated and preserved in its national parks. This book retells the history of each park, describes its most important features and wildlife, and reproduces its gorgeous scenery in full-color photographs that will enthrall a...
Florida History from the Highways
Discover Florida, with its unique geography and exciting history--from ancient gold to modern real estate speculation--by journeying along its highways. Beginning with a chronology and succinct account of Florida's spectacular development, then an account of the rise of the major cities, Florida History from the Highways takes you throughout the state, pointing out the fascinating events that occurred at locations along the way. You'll travel through changing times and landscapes and emerge fill...
Montessori International
Montessori International is the magazine for all parents and teachers. Montessori International magazine is a high quality colour education magazine with a Montessori focus and a truly child-centred approach. The magazine is for Montessori parents, nursery owners, teachers, and students with an interest in Montessori education.