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Review of Supercharged Science

Regardless of your student’s learning style, Supercharged Science will grab their attention and have them diving into science after just a few clicks.

I have to admit- the first thing we did was watch a boatload of experiments, performed and explained by Aurora Lipper. She has an incredible background in science, and you can sense her expertise in the way she explains the process. She displays excitement and joy in her presentations which keeps kids riveted to the screen. The variety of experiments was astounding- over 800 to choose from. I had to drag the kids away so we could make lunch.

Oh yeah- the television. We hooked up one of our laptops to the TV with an HDMI cable, and were able to read lessons, look at charts, and watch experiments on a great big screen together. Totally cool. What is more fun than seeing the kids learn about science while sacked out in a recliner?

doing Supercharged Science

I have said many times that I am not a big fan of textbooks. But with science, it is difficult to get away from the traditional process of reading the text, memorizing terms, and answering the end-of-the-chapter questions. We feel like this is the only way to make sure they’ve adequately covered the material. But this process tends to suck the life out of science. Science is not just about definitions, conversion charts, formulas, and graphs. It is about the discovery of how and why things work the way they do.

So – I was very pleased as I examined the Supercharged Science website. Beginning with the Getting Started page, I started working my way through the recommended steps of watching the Introductory videos, looking for the area of study that coordinated with where we were in our current science program, and then jumping in with our first lesson on the periodic table of the elements.

periodic table of the elements, supercharged science

But we couldn’t resist skipping around to perform experiments with items we had in the house. As soon as they saw the Plasma Grape, they ran upstairs to raid the fridge. We are in the process of growing crystals with borax, sugar, and salt. And what kid doesn’t want to make a fruit battery?

As Aurora states on her Getting Started page, teachers and parents often head right into the text and try to get our kids to learn the facts first before doing any demonstrations or other ‘fun’ stuff. But sparking curiosity is the best way to get a student motivated enough to immerse themselves in the material on their own. In spite of my perfectionist tendencies, where everything must be 1-2-3 with i’s dotted and t’s crossed, I wasn’t in the least disappointed with our plunge into experimentation, and the resulting curiosity that propelled us into the video lessons and text.

We finally settled down and watched the introductory videos, “New to e-science?” and ”Unit Zero: An overview of e-science”, all the way through, after which we had a much better feel for the program. Then we began discussions about how to implement it. The first decision, especially for my high schoolers, was whether or not to use it as a supplement to our existing curriculum, or as a replacement. The vote for ‘replacement’ was unanimous.

Each unit is composed of several elements:

Getting Started
Lesson Plans
Lessons
Highlights
Introduction
Reading
Experiments and Videos
Exercises (answers included)

We were already into studying Matter, so we started with Unit 3: Matter (Atoms, Density, Solids). We listened watched the introductory video, and listened to the teleclass (available to play online or download as an MP3 file) with the highlights and introduction text up on the big screen. The text is written in the same conversational tone as the audio and videos, both narrated by Aurora Lipper. Then we did the Lesson 1 reading, and chose a couple of experiments in the unit that we hadn’t already done. I made notes for myself on what pages to go ahead and print for my kids’ science notebooks.

Important note: Do not feel that you must do all of the experiments. While most can be done with normal household items, there are literally hundreds of experiments on the site, and you will go bonkers if you try to buy everything on the provided shopping list before planning which unit you are going to use. The list is simply there so that you can see at a glance the kinds of things you will need to do the experiments. Most of them you will probably be able to mark off as items in your cleaning closet, junk drawer, bathroom, and kitchen!

While doing experiments, one of the ways to help kids internalize information is to pause between steps and try to guess what will happen when you:

add vegetable oil to a large jar of water? Or dish soap? Or paraffin?
microwave Ivory soap?
stick a filled balloon in the freezer overnight?

Then when you see the results of your experiment, it’s fun to see if you were right or wrong, and why.

Other units available with a monthly subscription are:

Mechanics
Motion
Matter
Energy 1 & 2
Sound
Astrophysics
Chemistry 1 & 2
Light
Magnetism
Electricity
Alternate Energy
Thermodynamics
Electronics
Life Science 1 & 2
Biology 1 & 2
Earth Science is coming soon
Award Winning Science Fair Projects
Mathemagic
Science e-Camp
and a page of parent resources.

This program could easily be self-directed, especially for older students. The content and goals of each lesson, as well as most experiments, are in audio and visual formats. The lesson plans help you decide how to put this program to use, with a brief unit description, key vocabulary, materials list for experiments, and exercises with answers. However, there aren’t specific guidelines of the sort that tell you how much time to spend on each lesson, or how many lessons to do per week. It is totally up to you how you integrate Supercharged Science in your homeschool schedule.

Many experiments require adult supervision, but this is not a curriculum that requires any scientific knowledge from you, nor will you have to hover, poke, or prod most kids into using it. It is also great for teaching multi-age children, as the K-8 content is included as a free bonus when you sign up for Grades 9-12.

A particularly helpful section on the site is the detailed explanation of how to create and use a scientific journal for keeping track of material covered, experiments performed, questions to ask, and how to write a science journal report.

If you want to use Supercharged Science as a supplement, conversion charts are provided for:

A Beka
Apologia
Bob Jones
God’s Design
Real Science 4 Kids
The Noah Plan
K12.com Online Course
Alpha Omega Switched On SchoolHouse and Lifepac Series
Considering God’s Creation
Science of Physical Creation
Noeo Chemistry Curriculum
Christian Kids Explore Creation
Secrets of the Universe by Paul Fleisher
Rainbow Science
Classic Science: Physical Science
Science: A Closer Look
Singapore Early Bird Books (1-4)
Science Foundations
Prentice Hall Physical Science
REAL Science Odyssey (Life)
Saxon Physics Curriculum
Noeo Physics Curriculum
Science Mastery

For parents concerned about how evolution/creationism is handled, the simple answer is- it isn’t. The focus is facts and inquiry, how to record data and take measurements, use scientific equipment, etc… The parent is left to teach evolution/creationism in any way they see fit.

Homeschoolers love to Try Before We Buy, so if you want to check out Supercharged Science, you can have full access to the program for 30 days risk-free with a money back guarantee. If you discover that this is a program you can use, remain enrolled for only $37 per month. You still have the option to cancel any time.

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Posted by Susan Raber on April 14, 2013 in Online courses and programs, Schoolhouse Crew Reviews, Science

Tags: learning styles, multi-age science, online science curriculum, science experiments

Teaching creatively in the kitchen

12 Mar

One of my favorite aspects of homeschooling is the ability to make connections between the dry facts contained in textbooks and real life activities. We spend lots of time in the kitchen anyway, so it follows that we would find ways to apply the concepts we’ve learned in school to cooking.

Kitchen Lesson One: Read the directions and assemble your ingredients and tools. This is known as mise en place, which is French for “everything in place”. Following instructions is something we all know is best, but we often jump into a project without taking the time to read the directions and make sure we have all of our supplies in order. Mise en place is a good habit to form as a preparation for any project.

Kitchen Lesson Two: Adjusting a recipe. When we make pancakes, which is our favorite breakfast, (even though it puts everyone in a carb coma), we usually double, and sometimes triple the recipe. This means the kids have to do the calculations for every ingredient, and re-inventory our supplies to make sure we have enough of each ingredient to do so. They also have to choose bowls of the proper size so that mixing doesn’t result in more batter on the counter than on the griddle.

Kitchen Lesson Three: Understanding the reasons behind the process, and working through it. We are very fond of cookbooks and cooking shows that explain and illustrate the chemistry of cooking. We love Alton Brown and Good Eats, cookbooks by Pam Anderson, and I just found How to Read a French Fry at the local discount bookstore for $1.80. Our favorite pancake recipe is from The Perfect Recipe by Pam Anderson.

Pam Anderson explains, in detail, every aspect of obtaining the perfect light and fluffy pancake. Batter consistency, a skillet heated to the correct temperature, the proper proportion of leavening. . . all contribute to a pancake that either hits your place like a brick or is a cloud of yummy goodness. She tests different kinds of flour, combinations of baking powder and baking soda, and why she uses buttermilk and regular milk to achieve the right amount of fluffiness. Even the addition of eggs and butter is tested in a search for a lumpless batter that produces airy and tender pancakes.

The results is a three step process that would shock the system of any Bisquick fan, but the kids are willing to measure and sift and separate in order to sit down with their plate of perfect pancakes.

Kitchen Lesson Four: The chemistry of cooking. Being avid Mythbusters fans, we prefer our chemical reactions to involve a loud BOOM!, but the exception to that is kitchen chemistry. Cooking is a science that involves the combination of acids, bases, protein, fat and water molecules, and other chemicals such as sodium chloride. The addition of heat also affects the outcome. The alteration in amount or treatment of just one ingredient can substantially change the flavor and texture of your dish.

There are many great resources, other than those already mentioned, for learning about the chemistry of cooking. Check out these links:

The Science of Cooking by Exploratorium.

“A Biochemist explains the chemistry of cooking” in Science Daily.

“What’s the chemistry of cooking?” in Science Week.

Culinary Reactions: The Everyday Chemistry of Cooking by Simon Quellen Field

What is your favorite way to teach creatively in the kitchen?

This is the 5 Days of Teaching Creatively Blog Hop, sponsored by the Schoolhouse Review Crew. When you have finished reading and commenting on this post, you can click on the link below to find a list of participating bloggers.

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Posted by Susan Raber on March 12, 2013 in 5 Days of Teaching Creatively, Home Economics, Homeschool styles & methods, Science

Tags: chemistry of cooking, delight-directed learning, science of cooking, teaching in the kitchen

The Joy of Field Trips

09 Mar

There are days where I feel very ambivalent about field trips. I want to stay in the comforts of home. I want my coffee, my fuzzy socks, and my favorite wing chair. Then I think about traffic and crowds and a long day of walking around, and I start thinking of excuses as to why it’s not a good day for a field trip. It’s too hot, it’s too cold, I think I have a temperature. I’m even tempted to hold a thermometer against a light bulb (yeah, like you never did that in high school!).

But when I overcome my lack of enthusiasm for a day out and about with the kids, I always have a blast. I wonder why I was ever reluctant.

A help and encouragement in this area is being a part of a homeschool support group. Our local group is called PEACH- Parents Educating at Christian Homes. We have a terrific field trips coordinator who organizes a couple of activities every month. All we need to do is sign up, pay any necessary fees ( and we get often qualify for a group rate), and show up on the day. It makes it so much more enjoyable to be with other parents and kids that we know.

Last week we spent the day at COSI- the Ohio Center of Science and Industry. There was no end to the fun things to see and do.

We learned how pulleys, gears, and lasers work in the Gadgets section.

We explored the 1960′s in a recreation of that era. I almost expected the Fonz to walk through the door of the diner, which had a working jukebox and pinball machine.

Kenny couldn’t wait to get to the Space exhibit, where he could get inside models of space vehicles and operate a robotic arm.

The Ocean exhibit allowed kids to get inside a mockup of a submarine, and operate an underwater remote camera.

There were also mazes, puzzles, physical fitness tests, rat basketball, and a high wire unicycle. The kids could play with wind, water, lasers, magnets, and a variety of machines.

I was not at all regretful that we went. The next time I don’t feel like packing up the kids and heading out for a day of educational fun, I will see these pictures and remember a day of laughter and learning, and I will gladly set down my coffee, put on some shoes, and go on a field trip!

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Posted by Susan Raber on March 9, 2013 in Field Trips, Science, Support groups and co-ops

Tags: COSI visit, homeschool field trips, PEACH homeschool group

Review of Activities in a Bag

04 Nov

Homeschoolers often think outside the box, because homeschoolers left the box behind a long time ago! So when a couple of moms needed some ideas for keeping the kids busy doing something independent, fun and educational, Activities in a Bag was conceived.

We reviewed Science Experiments in a Bags 1, 2, & 3, which are geared for grades K-8. First, we read through the descriptions of the experiments to see how many we could do with what we had in the house at that moment. We were surprised by the number of experiments that didn’t require a trip to the store for us.

We printed the instructions for the experiments we wanted to do, gathered our materials, covered the table with a plastic tablecloth, and had a fun afternoon trying out one experiment after another.

The kids’ favorite was making the blob on page 30 in Book 2. As a matter of fact, I think they did that one 5 or 6 times, especially the variation with cornstarch.

These activities weren’t just busywork, or simply experiments to teach principles from chemistry and biology, but they guide children in experiencing scientific principles with their hands and other senses, to follow instructions, assemble the items needed, test hypothesis, and draw conclusions.

Some of the other activities were:

determining temperature by counting cricket chirps
figuring out how much iron is in different fruit juices
making homemade perfume
learn how salt acts like an antifreeze
trick your brain with crayons

Most of the experiments could be done with minimal adult supervision, but a few, especially those involving chemical interactions or the use of a stove or flame, would require adult supervision.

Each Science Activities in a Bag ebook contains step-by-step instructions for each experiment, an experiment log, experiment answers, and everything you need to know to organize an Activity Bag Swap, including activity bag labels.

Simply put, a swap is a way for a bunch of homeschoolers to create an inventory of the activities to have on hand whenever the kids need something to keep them occupied and learning. Each person assembles one of the activities- instruction label and items needed- in gallon storage bags for the number of people participating in the swap. Then each person takes one of each activity with them to keep. Hence the name “Activity Bags”.

Science Experiments in a Bag aren’t the only options:

Ways to use Activity Bags- a homeschool parent could coordinate a swap, or assemble the items in bags and have them on hand for their own homeschooling needs.

Science Experiments in a Bag 1 is priced at $15, or as a bundle with Book 2 for $27, or get all 3 ebooks for $39.

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Posted by Susan Raber on November 4, 2012 in Homeschool Elementary, Schoolhouse Crew Reviews, Science

Tags: activity bag swap, Schoolhouse Review Crew, science experiments for kids

Review of Box of I.D.E.As ~ Salt

01 Oct

Homeschooling families are always looking for ways to teach multiple ages, and many have found unit studies to be the answer. Unit studies take one topic and spread it across the curriculum. Families read and research the subject together, and the parent assigns exercises and projects appropriate to each student’s level.

A Box of I.D.E.As. (Ideally Dynamic Enrichment Activities) has taken the unit study to highly usable, flexible, and productive level for students ages 9-16. Topics available are:

Pigs
Salt
Eleven
World War II
Quilting
Laundry
and many others will be available soon

We reviewed the .pdf download of the Salt unit. We are a salt loving family, using it on everything from apples to lemons, and even chocolate chip cookies. Salt makes food taste more like itself, and has many household uses. Salt makes for a very fascinating study that encompasses history, science, economics, nutrition, and industry. Our kids are always excited to see how many ways we can incorporate one topic into all subject areas, and it was fun to think about how those little grains that sit in the shaker on the table, for which we pay so little at the store, could have so many uses and impacted history in so many ways. We realized how much we underestimate items that to us are common, but were once very precious.

With each completed module, we have added some great projects to our school files for documentation and future evaluation.

The download included a letter of explanation about Box of I.D.E.As., and some suggestions about how to use it. Each module could stand alone, but using all of them provided a very well-rounded overview. The Salt modules covered:

The History of Salt- Contains surprising facts about the impact salt has had on civilizations from the beginning of history and around the world. Economies, cultures, and wars have been influenced by the uses and need for salt. Instructions and fact cards for a game about the chronology of salt, web links for further study, and a page for the student’s portfolio round out this module.
The Language of Salt- Salt has been so important and influential that many of our idioms are based on the value and uses of salt. Cards for a word match game can be printed, and web links offer more background information about this topic.
The Need for Salt- This module explores the nutritional value of salt, and students can have a little adventure in their own kitchen, looking at labels for sodium content, planning a well-balanced menu, and includes a chart that lists the sodium content of common foods.
Preserving with Salt- we know that throughout history, salt has been used to preserve foods. This module delves further into food preservation, and all you need to play the game are game markers and dice.
Producing Salt- Salt is a plentiful substance, it can be obtained by various methods. Check out the web links to videos and pictorials of salt being harvested.
The Science of Salt- Follow the instructions for experiments to learn more about the properties of salt. A great addition to your child’s science portfolio.
The Salt March- What do salt and Ghandi have in common? Do this module to find out.
The Salt of the Earth- Research the many geographical locations where salt is found and produced and play the accompanying game with the map and cards provided.
The Wall that Salt Built- Salt is so valuable and treasured around the world that is has been used to finance such enormous tasks as building the Great Wall of China.
Very Salty- More geography lessons and a game about bodies of salt water, and what this means in other parts of the world.

The Salt unit was completed with a timed, multiple choice test. Even if you don’t usually test your children, these are recommended for SAT/ACT practice for older students. Answer keys are included.

We also discovered that these studies are very portable, and it’s great to be able to use down time in the car for fun discussions about the modules we had covered.

This product is offered as a physical Box of I.D.E.As. with everything you need for the assignments and activities for $79, extra student modules for $4, or as a .pdf download for $49.

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