Secular Homeschooling Curriculum: High School Science

As far as I can tell, these resources do not advocate a specific religious world view.

Biology Chemistry Physics

Other Sciences Distance Education

Secular Biology Curriculum for High School

Biology Matters Biology Matters text and workbook are ideal for both classroom and home use for 9th – 10th grades. We do not recommend the practicals for home use due to safety issues and the expense and difficulty in obtaining some of the materials.  Some of the experiments can be done at home. This textbook is supplemented by a Theory Workbook designed for self-study and classroom assessment. The accompanying Practical Book provides more avenues for inquiry-based learning.

Carnegie Mellon Modern Biology Modern Biology covers topics found in the fields of celluar biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and genetics. This intro-level course provides the backgound biology students will need for advanced biology classes.

Biology CLEP Free Study Guide Online preparation the General Biology CLEP exam.

High School Biology in Your Home High School Biology In Your Home (originally published under the name What?? Me Teach High School Biology??) involves the student in a discovery learning process by requiring him to do research (visual learning), discuss what he has discovered in his research (audio learning), and hands-on activities with some sort of lab almost every week (kinesthetic learning).

HippoCampus AP Biology This curriculum covers all of the material outlined by the College Board as necessary to prepare students to pass the AP© Biology exam. This course is designed to acquaint you with the general concepts of life including reproduction, balance in nature, and the nature of living things. You will focus on three broad sections: Molecules and Cells, Heredity and Evolution, and Organisms and Populations.

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Homework Helpers: Biology Biology is a science full of terms and concepts that range from the hard-to-imagine, such as the structure of an atom, to those we see every day, such as the structure of our own face in the mirror. How are these ideas and concepts related? What’s the best way to learn and remember them? Designed to be used with the class textbook (or in place of the totally incomprehensible one!), Homework Helpers: Biology is a user friendly review book that will make any student-or those trying to help them-feel like he or she has a private Biology tutor. Concepts from the most obvious to the most complex are presented and explained in everyday English with a wide variety of diagrams, charts and illustrations.

MIT Introduction to Biology Focuses on the application of the fundamental principles toward an understanding of human biology. Topics include genetics, cell biology, molecular biology, disease (infectious agents, inherited diseases and cancer), developmental biology, neurobiology and evolution. This course features a complete set of audio lectures by Professor Hazel Sive, Whitehead Institute Professor of Biology and Professor Tyler Jacks, Director of the MIT Center for Cancer Research as well as exemplary video lectures.

Secular Chemistry Curriculum for Homeschoolers

Carnegie Mellon Chemistry Stoichiometry bridge course situated in an authentic real-world problem-solving environment. Chemical equilibrium course proven to improve student performance. Virtual chemistry lab course with over 35 lab assignments.

Chemistry: Concepts and Problems: A Self-Teaching Guide Have you ever wondered about the  differences between liquids, gases, and solids? Or what actually happens when something burns? What exactly is a solution? An acid? A base? This is chemistry—the composition and structure of substances composing all matter, and how they can be transformed. Whether you are studying chemistry for the first time on your own, want to refresh your memory for a test, or need a little help for a course, this concise, interactive guide gives you a fresh approach to this fascinating subject.

Chemistry Matters A new digital series for high school chemistry from Georgia Public Broadcasting! The series is comprised of 12 units of study divided into segments. Under each segment you will find support materials designed to enhance student understanding of the content.

Chemistry Matters (Singapore) Chemistry Matters text and workbook are ideal for both classroom and home use for 9th – 10th grades.  We do not recommend the practicals for home use due to safety issues and the expense and difficulty in obtaining some of the materials.  Some of the experiments can be done at home. This textbook is accompanied by a Workbook designed for self-study, as well as a Practical Book.

Conceptual Chemistry Alive Features: Mini-lectures, Demonstrations, Animations, Home chemistry projects and Chemistry in the community Students will browse through QuickTime movies in an interactive environment that follows the Conceptual Chemistry textbook’s table of contents. Then “Concept Checks” encourage students to test their understanding of key material before moving on. Student answers may be saved or printed.

Chemistry CLEP Free Study Guide Online preparation for the General Chemistry CLEP exam.

High School Chemistry in Your Home High School Chemistry In Your Home is a demanding year of high school chemistry.  If the student applies himself and does the work, the student will be well prepared for the first semester college chemistry course. It certainly will qualify for a High School level Chemistry class.

Homework Helpers: Chemistry Do you fear mole conversions and Avogadro’s number? Are oxidation-reduction reactions just too much to handle? Are the Ideal Gas Laws getting you down? When your teacher tries to teach you how to name organic compounds, is he or she speaking a language you never learned? Homework Helpers: Chemistry is a user-friendly review book that will make every student-or parent trying to help their child-feel like he or she has a private Chemistry tutor. Concepts are explained in clear, easy-to-understand language, and problems are worked out with step-by-step methods that are easy to follow. Each lesson comes with numerous review questions and answer keynotes that explain each correct answer and why it’s correct.

MIT Principles of Chemical Science An introductory chemistry course, emphasizing basic principles of atomic and molecular electronic structure, thermodynamics, acid-base and redox equilibria, chemical kinetics, and catalysis. This course also introduces the chemistry of biological, inorganic, and organic molecules.

Pre-University Chemistry Course An interactive online chemistry course aiming to bridge the gap between A-level and degree level chemistry. Includes interactive animations and questions about the subjects covered.

The World of Chemistry A video instructional series for college and high school classrooms and adult learners; 26 half-hour video programs and coordinated books. Join with experts to observe chemistry in action and learn the laws and principles of this dynamic field. Computer technology and special effects place students in a front-row seat to observe many processes, even those that are too dangerous or impractical to experience directly. Working industrial and research chemists of all backgrounds serve as role models.

Secular Physics Curriculum for Homeschoolers

Basic Physics: A Self-Teaching Guide Here is the most practical, complete, and easy-to-use guide available for understanding physics and the physical world. Even if you don’t consider yourself a “science” person, this book helps make learning key concepts a pleasure, not a chore. Whether you need help in a course, want to review the basics for an exam, or simply have always been curious about such physical phenomena as energy, sound, electricity, light, and color, you’ve come to the right place!

Carnegie Mellon Physics The Andes Physics course currently provides over 500 problems that are suitable for both calculus and non-calculus introductory physics courses at the college or advanced high school level.

HippoCampus AP Physics This curriculum covers all of the material outlined by the College Board as necessary to prepare students to pass the AP* Physics B exam. This course is divided into two semesters and is designed to acquaint you with topics in classical and modern physics. The first semester discusses topics in Newtonian mechanics including: kinematics, laws of motion, work and energy, systems of particles, momentum, circular motion, oscillations, and gravitation. The first semester concludes with topics in fluid mechanics, thermal physics, and kinetic theory. The second semester discusses the topics of electricity and magnetism, waves and optics, and atomic and nuclear physics. The course emphasizes problem solving, and there are numerous interactive examples throughout. You will also gain laboratory experience through interactive lab simulations and wet labs.

HippoCampus Physics This course is designed to acquaint you with topics in mechanics and classical electricity and magnetism. The course covers two semesters. The first semester is devoted to Newtonian mechanics including: kinematics, laws of motion, work and energy, systems of particles, momentum, circular motion, oscillations, and gravitation. The second semester discusses the topics of electricity and magnetism. The course emphasizes problem solving including calculus, and there are numerous interactive examples throughout. You will also gain laboratory experience through interactive lab simulations and wet labs.

Homework Helpers: Physics Physics is the latest book in the popular series that has been designed to help students master the material and tackle the tests. It will help any student unravel the formulas that describe the world around him or her. Each lesson is written in clear, easy-to-understand language, and supported with review questions. Answers and detailed explanations are found at the end of each chapter.

Light and Matter Series This series of six books is intended for a one-year introductory course of the type typically taken by biology majors. Algebra and trig are used, and there are optional calculus-based sections.

The Mechanical Universe and Beyond This series helps teachers demystify physics by showing students what it looks like. Field trips to hot-air balloon events, symphony concerts, bicycle shops, and other locales make complex concepts more accessible. Inventive computer graphics illustrate abstract concepts such as time, force, and capacitance, while historical reenactments of the studies of Newton, Leibniz, Maxwell, and others trace the evolution of theories.

MIT Physics I Classical Mechanics This course features lecture notes, problem sets with solutions, exams with solutions, links to related resources, and a complete set of videotaped lectures. The 35 video lectures by Professor Lewin, were recorded on the MIT campus during the Fall of 1999. Prof. Lewin is well-known at MIT and beyond for his dynamic and engaging lecture style.

Physics Matters Physics Matters text and workbook are ideal for both classroom and home use for 9th – 10th grades. Some of the experiments can be done at home. This textbook is supplemented by two volumes of Workbooks and a Practical Book.  The Workbooks are designed for self-study and assessment, while the Practical Book contains activities and experiments that prepare students for the new Science Practical Assessment (SPA).

Yale Fundamentals of Physics This course provides a thorough introduction to the principles and methods of physics for students who have good preparation in physics and mathematics. Emphasis is placed on problem solving and quantitative reasoning. This course covers Newtonian mechanics, special relativity, gravitation, thermodynamics, and waves.

Other Secular Sciences for Homeschoolers

Earth Revealed This series shows the physical processes and human activities that shape our planet. From earthquakes and volcanoes to the creation of sea-floor crusts and shifting river courses, Earth Revealed offers stunning visuals that explain plate tectonics and other geologic concepts and principles. Follow geologists in the field as they explore the primal forces of the Earth.

Global System Science Global Systems Science (GSS) is an integrated, interdisciplinary course for high school, consisting of nine student books, teacher guides, and Interpreting Digital Images software. Each GSS book deals with a societal issue that requires science for full understanding. The books may be sequenced in a custom one-year integrated science course or serve as supplementary materials for existing high school biology, physics, chemistry, Earth science, or social studies courses.

The Habitable Planet: A Systems Approach to Environmental Science This course begins with an overview of the Earth’s systems — geophysical, atmospheric, oceanic, and ecosystems — as they exist independently of human influence. Following this introduction, the course explores the effect that human activities have on the different natural systems. Topics include human population growth and resource use, increasing competition for fresh water, and climate change. Each of the 13 programs features two case studies following top scientists in the field.

High School Physical Science in Your Home High School Physical Science In Your Home is a thorough year of learning the physical sciences ( physics, chemistry, earth sciences, astronomy and much more).  The student learns to research and budget his time and he learns to study for quizzes and final exams.

HippoCampus AP Environmental Science This curriculum covers all of the material outlined by the College Board as necessary to prepare students to pass the AP© Environmental Science exam. This course is designed to acquaint you with the physical, ecological, social, and political principles of environmental science. The scientific method is used to analyze and understand the inter-relationships between humans and the natural environment. The course shows how ecological realities and the material desires of humans often clash, leading to environmental degradation and pollution. The course covers the following topics: Earth’s Systems, Human Population Dynamics, Natural Resources, Environmental Quality, Global Changes, and Environment and Society.

Planet Earth This series presents visually spectacular tours of the seven continents as it makes connections between our solar system and Earth’s oceans, climate, and mineral and energy sources. It unifies Earth science, astronomy, and comparative planetology into an integrated discipline that relies on common scientific methods. A flexible instructional resource, Planet Earth provides course material for nonscience students and science majors.

Unseen Life on Earth: An Introduction to Microbiology Peer into the microbial world with this comprehensive microbiology series. This series helps students understand microbial functions and how microorganisms affect everything from medicine to environmental issues to global politics. Dynamic visuals — such as animations and scanning electron micrographs — and case studies including DNA testing and dramatic battles against dangerous viruses illustrate the work and effects of microorganisms. Students gain an enhanced appreciation of the field of microbiology as they meet scientists carrying on their investigations in the lab and in the field.

Yale Frontiers and Controversies in Astrophysics This course focuses on three particularly interesting areas of astronomy that are advancing very rapidly: Extra-Solar Planets, Black Holes, and Dark Energy. Particular attention is paid to current projects that promise to improve our understanding significantly over the next few years. The course explores not just what is known, but what is currently not known, and how astronomers are going about trying to find out.

Distance Education Courses

eTap Offers Earth Science, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and Oceanography.

Florida Virtual High School Offers Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Marine Science, and Earth-Space Science.

Global Village School A Distance learning program that offer peace and diversity studies curriculum.

Indiana University High School Offers Biology, Physics, Chemistry (AP), Earth and Space Science, and Integrated Physics and Chemistry.

Keystone High School Offers Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Science, and Earth Science at Honors and AP levels.

Louisiana State University Independent and Distance Learning Offers General Science, Earth Science, Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Science, and Biology.

Oak Meadow Publishes homeschool curriculum materials and has an accredited distance education school.

Texas Tech University Outreach and Education Offers Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Systems, and Integrated Physics and Chemistry.

Thinkwell Offers Chemistry, Biology, and Physics.

University of Arizona Outreach College Offers Astronomy, Basic Earth Sciences, Biology, Physics, Meteorology, Global Climate Change, Genetics, Paleontology, and Ecology.

University of Missouri Distance Education Offers Astronomy, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Geology, and Environmental Science.

University of Mississippi Independent Study High School Offers Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Anatomy and Human Physiology

University of Nebraska Independent Study High School Offers Physical and Earth Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

University of Texas at Austin Continuing Education Offers Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Integrated Physics and Chemistry in the AskMe Format.

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