Ladies,
I'll just begin by saying that this has truly been a wonderful thread to read, with much wisdom and encouragement found within the posts. I am truly blessed to be surrounded with women such as yourselves with whom to travel this homeschool path!
As we look at how to approach science, and we strive to face our ever-changing scientific world, there are many things to ponder. One incredibly important focus, which I believe is often overlooked, is that our heavenly Father is the designer, creator, and inventor of all things that science encompasses. To leave him out of the equation, as we pursue scientific knowledge does not honor the Creator. If we do not honor our Creator, how can we expect Him to honor our scientific efforts? In thinking along these lines, I certainly realize that many scientists have not been Christians (or believers in God for that matter). Yet, in looking at the lives of Christian scientists and their discoveries, it is amazing to see how God blessed them in areas where their knowledge was lacking. Yet, for these men and women, God provided the means to learn needed scientific concepts, the opportunity to test and try their theories (often in less than stellar "labs"), and the wondering mind that led to thinking "outside of the box." These things combined to provide new scientific breakthroughs and understanding.
So, as a parent, in looking at my children, I deeply desire for them to have a Creator-centered scientific background. Since the world is filled with secular science opportunities, I look at my role as a homeschool educator as a moment to provide my children with something different than that which the world offers. Does this mean that we will not study or learn about secular scientiests or that "any" books that do not have a Christian focus will not be included? Of course this is not the case. However, I do believe that as much respect and awe for our Creator that can be taught within a strong science path, should be included so that science and our Creator go together.
Next, I believe that science is much more than a body of knowledge or facts. It is about living, breathing people and how their life experiences led them to new ideas and solutions. It is about solving real problems. Science is for everybody, not just for the STEM students. It surrounds us everyday and should fascinate all of us because it fascinates our Creator. While some kiddos are defintely more scientifically oriented, all kiddos can benefit from learning to love and enjoy science. So, this is another goal of mind through HOD Science. Often kiddos begin to shut down in science in high school, as those who love it are separated from those who just get through it. It doesn't need to be that way, and we seek to avoid that pitfall.
I also believe that kiddos who are science-oriented are gifted by the Lord in that trait. This doesn't mean that those types of kiddos need to be doused with more textbook learning or harder math equations or be forced to slog through harder and harder science at younger and younger ages. Instead it means that if it is truly a gifting (or a passion) rather than an interest, it will remain and gain strength in spite of what you do to encourage or discourage this bent. So, why not encourage it? My advice is that prior to high school, kiddos who are in the target age range of each HOD guide, should do the science as written in that guide. Since the middle school guides are 4 day plans, this leaves an entire day free to pursue your child's interests and passions every week. So, pursue them! For science-minded kiddos, pursue lab kits, science books, science dvds, etc. Michael Faraday read a science encyclopedia. It doesn't have to be flashy, if your child is driven in this area.
If your child is on the upper target range, or extension range of our guides, you can entertain the thought of using the next HOD Guide's science each year. This is often what we suggest for those outside of the target age range of the guide.
As your child gets to high school, I still believe that the path HOD has planned for science is a strong one. Doing IPC followed by Biology and Chemistry (with each being a lab science is a very good science path). As you approach your child's final year(s) of high school it becomes more important to keep in mind that which science-related field your child is interested in career-wise will dictate which sciences are most helpful. For example, an engineering student would want physics and probably an advanced course in either Chemistry (especially if he was going into chemical engineering) and/or Physics. Medical-related fields such as nursing or being a doctor would instead want advanced biology, a deeper anatomy, or statistics as part of their science-related coursework, instead of physics. As you can see, the area of science your student is desiring to pursue can result in differences as to the coursework that is most helpful, and usually near the end of a student's path in high school, he/she will have a bit better idea of what specialty areas to pursue. Additionally, keeping a STEM child going with a strong math path in high school is just as important as the science path, so always be looking at the math to make sure it is keeping up with the science.
One thing to keep in mind too is that science-focused students often end up double-dipping their sciences in their final two years of high school, simply because they love that field so much. So, it doesn't hurt to wait a bit as high school progresses to see where your child's true passion lies instead of front-loading all of the sciences at the expense of doing a poor job in other needed subject areas. Remember that just because your child thinks he/she wants to go into a STEM related career, it doesn't mean that he/she won't need skills in the myriad of other subjects that a high school education is meant to provide.
Otherwise, he/she will struggle in college (or in life) in the generals required as a part of any degree.
One final thought is that while it is fine and good to have some advanced coursework on your transcript in science as your child heads off to college, often your child will still be well-served by taking the regular science option at college anyway prior to going into advanced levels of science at college. For example, even if your child is going into chemical engineering, it is a good idea to take regular chemistry as a freshman in college. This is because it is good to have a review of needed subject matter prior to getting into a specific field, it is helpful to have the college's version of the foundational coursework they are assuming students have had, and it is good for a student's GPA not to jump into super-rigorous coursework right away while still getting used to college.
So, this takes some pressure off to test out of science courses as there are definite benefits to following a bit more traditional path at the start of college.
I share all of this to say that there definitely is not a one-size fits all path for science! We honestly have to look at each child and find our way. But I do feel that you can follow the HOD path for science (and just add outside opportunities that suit your child) a long way down the science path. The final two years of high school seem to me to be the time to hone in on a child's interests no matter what they may be. Prior to that I think opportunities that feed our kiddos interests can be done on their free 5th day each week.
In the end, as the parent, you will know best what your child needs as he/she matures. However, kiddos can often change their interests as they are exposed to new areas, which is something that the HOD guides provide. In jumping off the plan early on, you may be making things more difficult for yourself in future years by forcing modfications to the plans that aren't really needed. I can definitely see that by the time my boys are juniors and seniors, I can start to see more clearly what they may be headed toward doing. Yet, often in college things change, so we need to provide our kiddos an academically strong, Biblically rich foundation that will readily prepare them for what God has in store for them... and then we need to let God take care of the rest!
Blessings,
Carrie