Science Resources

Sometimes the best way to teach a subject is to lay some ground rules and then let students actually "do" what they're studying. This is especially true of science, a study predicated on activity, experimentation and the observation of physical properties. It's also one of the best ways to get kids interested in science in the first place.

If he hadn't stood atop the Tower of Pisa dropping things off the edge, Galileo would never have made his observation that objects of any weight fall at the same rate in a vacuum. Archimedes had to get in the tub to discover that it is volume that displaces water. And the only way Newton could discover calculus was by scribbling numbers on pieces of paper.

Your kid probably isn't the next Einstein, but that doesn't mean he shouldn't learn as much about science as possible, or that he should do so with his hands tied behind his back. The problem with a lot of science textbooks is that they emphasize book knowledge without taking into account the hands-on nature of science and science learning. Observation is often touted as an essential part of the science process, but rarely is it enforced in the typical school curriculum.

Science resources can change all that. There are plenty of fact-based books (particularly those from Usborne) that pair facts with vivid illustrations, and those are fun for rainy days—kids are a lot better at acquiring and retaining raw information than we often give them credit for. But those are just a place to start; the options are limitless.

One of the best sorts of science resource are books filled with experiments. Whether it's Explorabook from Klutz Press which focuses on fun activities and includes everything you need to complete them, or Vicki Cobb's Bet You Can! experiments using household items, or the more advanced Science for Every Kid books by Janice VanCleave, you aren't likely to run out of options.

Astronomy is more observation-oriented, and we offer plenty of books on that topic, too. The Stars by H.A. Rey is a now-classic guide to the night sky for beginners, while Starry Messenger explains some of the basic tenets of modern astronomy through the (detailed and beautifully illustrated) life of Galileo Galilei. Isaac Asimov has written a number of books on space science, as has Seymour Simon.

Just letting your kids outside with notebooks and maybe a magnifying glass is as good as any book for helping them develop a love of nature and nature study, though manuals to help them identify plants, animals, rocks, etc. is a good idea. One of our favorite such books is the Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Botsford Comstock.

Keeping a well-stocked chemistry lab is a good idea for older students. Many experiments require chemicals, ingredients and equipment you aren't likely to just have lying around, so you'll need to be intentional about keeping a lot of those things stocked. Field trips are always a good idea as well, whether to a local laboratory, observatory, zoo, factory, or anywhere else that strikes your kids' fancy and has educational potential.

Whatever else you do, keep an open mind while guiding your kids' science education. The beauty of God's world and the excitement of learning about it should always be kept in view; whatever difficulty there is in physics, biology or chemistry should be met head on but not dwelt on or made cause for discouragement. Have fun, and don't restrict your science time to reading stuff—take time to actually do science, and you might find along with your children that it isn't such a bad thing to study after all.

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he is a husband and father, teaches adult Sunday school in his Presbyterian congregation, and likes weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews here.

 

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44 Animals of the Bible
by Nancy Johnson
from Master Books
for Kindergarten-4th grade
in Bible Study & Reference for Kids (Location: BIB-STU)
$9.59 $6.00 (1 in stock)
Accelerated Studies in Physics and Chemistry
by John D. Mays
from Novare
for 9th-10th grade
in Novare Science & Math (Location: SCICUR-NOV)
$86.95
Accelerated Studies in Physics and Chemistry - Digital Resources
by John D. Mays
from Novare
for 9th-10th grade
in Novare Science & Math (Location: SCICUR-NOV)
$57.95
Accelerated Studies in Physics and Chemistry - Solutions Manual
by John D. Mays
from Novare
for 9th-10th grade
in Novare Science & Math (Location: SCICUR-NOV)
$17.95
Advanced Chemistry in Creation - Textbook
by Jay Wile
2nd edition from Apologia Educational Ministries
for 12th grade
in Apologia Exploring Creation (Location: SCICUR-AEM)
$69.60
Answers Book for Kids Volume 1
by Ken Ham
from Master Books
for Kindergarten-4th grade
in Worldview & Apologetics for Kids (Location: BIBWV-APK)
$6.39
Answers Book for Kids Volume 2
by Ken Ham
from Master Books
for Kindergarten-4th grade
in Worldview & Apologetics for Kids (Location: BIBWV-APK)
$6.39
Answers Book for Kids Volume 3
by Ken Ham
from Master Books
for Kindergarten-4th grade
in Worldview & Apologetics for Kids (Location: BIBWV-APK)
$7.99
Answers Book for Kids Volume 4
by Ken Ham
from Master Books
for Kindergarten-4th grade
in Worldview & Apologetics for Kids (Location: BIBWV-APK)
$6.39
Answers Book for Kids Volume 5
by Bodie Hodge, Ken Ham
from Master Books
for Kindergarten-4th grade
in Worldview & Apologetics for Kids (Location: BIBWV-APK)
$6.39
Beak Book
by Robin Page
from Beach Lane Books
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Birds (Location: SCI-BIRD)
$18.99
Beetle Book
by Steve Jenkins
from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Insects & Arachnids (Location: SCI-BUG)
$19.99
Beetle Is Shy
by Dianna Hutts Aston
from Chronicle Books
for 2nd-6th grade
in Nature Study (Location: NAT-GEN)
$16.99
Biology
2nd edition from Christian Liberty Press
for 10th-12th grade
in CLP Science (Location: SCICUR-CLP)
$48.10
Boy Who Drew Birds
by Jacqueline Davies
New title from Houghton Mifflin
for 1st-3rd grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$17.99
Breathtaking Birds
Marvels of Creation
by Buddy & Kay Davis
from Master Books
for 2nd-6th grade
in Birds (Location: SCI-BIRD)
$10.39
Breathtaking Respiratory System
God's Wondrous Machine
by Johnny Congo & Paige Hudson
from Master Books
for 4th-6th grade
in Human Anatomy & Physiology (Location: SCI-ANA)
$12.79 $11.00 (3 in stock)
Bugs Big & Small God Made Them All
by William Zinke
from Master Books
for Kindergarten-4th grade
in Insects & Arachnids (Location: SCI-BUG)
$13.59
Burgess Animal Book for Children
by Thornton W. Burgess
from Living Book Press
for 2nd-6th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$28.99
Burgess Bird Book for Children
by Thornton W. Burgess
from Living Book Press
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$28.99
Burgess Flower Book for Children
by Thornton W. Burgess
from Living Book Press
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$28.99
Burgess Seashore Book for Children
by Thornton W. Burgess
from Living Book Press
for 2nd-5th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$29.99
Butterfly Is Patient
by Dianna Hutts Aston
from Chronicle Books
for Kindergarten-4th grade
in Nature Study (Location: NAT-GEN)
$16.99
Butterfly Is Patient
by Dianna Hutts Aston
from Chronicle Books
for Kindergarten-4th grade
in Nature Study (Location: NAT-GEN)
$7.99
Cave Book
Wonders of Creation Series
by Emil Silvestru
from Master Books
for 4th-10th grade
in Geology (Rocks & Minerals) (Location: SCI-GEO)
$15.19
Charlie and Trike in the Grand Canyon Adventure
Green Notebook Series
by Ken Ham, Karen Hansel
from Master Books
for 1st-4th grade
in Geology (Rocks & Minerals) (Location: SCI-GEO)
$14.39 $9.00 (1 in stock)
Chemistry for Accelerated Students
by John D. Mays
from Novare
for 10th-11th grade
in Novare Science & Math (Location: SCICUR-NOV)
$121.95
Chemistry for Accelerated Students - Digital Resources
by John D. Mays
from Novare
for 10th-11th grade
in Novare Science & Math (Location: SCICUR-NOV)
$57.95
Chemistry for Accelerated Students - Solutions Manual
by John D. Mays
from Novare
for 10th-11th grade
in Novare Science & Math (Location: SCICUR-NOV)
$32.95
Complex Circulatory System
God's Wondrous Machine
by Lainna Callentine, M.Ed., M.D.
from Master Books
for 3rd-7th grade
in Human Anatomy & Physiology (Location: SCI-ANA)
$12.79 $11.00 (1 in stock)
Dinosaurs by Design
by Duane Gish
from Master Books
for 2nd-6th grade
in Dinosaurs & Fossils (Location: SCI-DINO)
$14.39
Dinosaurs for Kids
by Ken Ham
from Master Books
for 3rd-6th grade
in Dinosaurs & Fossils (Location: SCI-DINO)
$13.59
Dinosaurs for Little Kids
by Ken Ham, Illustrated by Bill Looney
from Master Books
for Preschool-1st grade
in Dinosaurs & Fossils (Location: SCI-DINO)
$11.19
Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins
by Barbara Kerley
from Scholastic Inc.
for Preschool-3rd Grade
2002 Caldecott Honor Book, NCTE Orbis Pictus Honor Book
in Oversized Picture Books (Location: PIC-OVER)
$19.99
Discovering Design with Chemistry - Audio Book
by Jay Wile
from Berean Builders
for 9th-10th grade
in Berean Builders Science (Location: SCICUR-BER)
$21.00
Discovering Design with Chemistry - Student Text
by Jay Wile
1st edition from Berean Builders
for 9th-10th grade
in Berean Builders Science (Location: SCICUR-BER)
$69.00
DK Eye Wonder: Weather
by Lorrie Mack
from DK Publishing
for 1st-3rd grade
in Meteorology (Weather & Climate) (Location: SCI-WEA)
$10.99
DK Eyewonder: Space
DK Eyewonder
from DK Publishing
in Astronomy (Space) (Location: SCI-AST)
$10.99
DK First Animal Encyclopedia
Revised from DK Children
for Preschool-3rd grade
in Zoology (Location: SCI-ZOOL)
$17.99
Dragons
by Bill Looney
from Master Books
for 4th-6th grades
in Dinosaurs & Fossils (Location: SCI-DINO)
$15.99
Dragons of the Deep
by Carl Wieland
from Master Books
for 5th-8th grade
in Dinosaurs & Fossils (Location: SCI-DINO)
$13.59
Drop of Water
by Walter Wick
from Scholastic Inc.
for 3rd-6th grade
1998 NCTE Orbis Pictus Honor Book
in Water Cycle (Location: SCI-EARTH)
$19.99
Dry Bones and Other Fossils
by Gary & Mary Parker
2nd edition from Master Books
for 4th-6th grade
in Dinosaurs & Fossils (Location: SCI-DINO)
$11.19 $6.50 (3 in stock)
Ecology Book
by Jean Lightner, Tom Hennigan
from Master Books
for 5th-10th grade
in Ecology (Location: SCI-ECO)
$15.19
Egg Is Quiet
by Dianna Hutts Aston
Library Binding from Chronicle Books
for Kindergarten-4th grade
in Nature Study (Location: NAT-GEN)
$16.99
Electrifying Nervous System
God's Wondrous Machine
by Lainna Callentine
from Master Books
for 2nd-6th grade
in Human Anatomy & Physiology (Location: SCI-ANA)
$12.79
Elements
by Theodore Gray
from Black Dog & Leventhal
for 9th-12th grade
in Chemistry (Location: SCI-CHEM)
$29.99
Engines
by Theodore Gray, photographs by Nick Mann
from Black Dog & Leventhal
for 5th-12th grade
in How Things Work (Location: SCIREF-HOW)
$32.00
Evolution: The Grand Experiment
by Dr. Carl Werner
from New Leaf Press
for 9th-Adult
in Evolution: The Grand Experiment (Location: SCICUR-EVO)
$34.99
Exploring Creation with Advanced Physics - Textbook
by Jay Wile
from Apologia Educational Ministries
for 12th grade
in Apologia Exploring Creation (Location: SCICUR-AEM)
$69.60
Exploring Creation With Astronomy
Young Explorer Series
by Jeannie Fulbright
2nd ed. from Apologia Educational Ministries
for 3rd-6th grade
in Apologia Young Explorer (Location: SCICUR-AEM)
$39.20
Exploring Creation With Botany
Young Explorer Series
by Jeannie Fulbright
2nd edition from Apologia Educational Ministries
for 3rd-6th grade
in Apologia Young Explorer (Location: SCICUR-AEM)
$39.20
Exploring Creation With Human Anatomy and Physiology
Young Explorer Series
by Jeannie Fulbright & Brooke Ryan, M.D.
from Apologia Educational Ministries
for 4th-6th grade
in Apologia Young Explorer (Location: SCICUR-AEM)
$39.20 $28.00 (2 in stock)
Exploring Creation With Zoology 1
Young Explorer Series
by Jeannie Fulbright
2nd edition from Apologia Educational Ministries
for 3rd-6th grade
in Apologia Young Explorer (Location: SCICUR-AEM)
$39.20
Exploring Creation With Zoology 1 (old)
Young Explorer Series
by Jeannie Fulbright
from Apologia Educational Ministries
for 3rd-6th grade
in Apologia Science (Old Versions only) (Location: OSCI-AEM)
$31.50
Exploring Creation With Zoology 2
Young Explorer Series
by Jeannie Fulbright
from Apologia Educational Ministries
for 3rd-6th grade
in Apologia Science (Old Versions only) (Location: OSCI-AEM)
$34.30 $18.00 (2 in stock)
Exploring Creation With Zoology 2 (April 2024)
Young Explorer Series
by Jeannie Fulbright
2nd edition from Apologia Educational Ministries
for 3rd-6th grade
in Apologia Young Explorer (Location: SCICUR-AEM)
$39.20
Exploring Creation With Zoology 3
by Jeannie Fulbright
from Apologia Educational Ministries
for 3rd-6th grade
in Apologia Young Explorer (Location: SCICUR-AEM)
$39.20 $28.00 (3 in stock)
Fall Walk
by Virginia Brimhall Snow
from Gibbs M. Smith
for Preschool-3rd grade
in Nature Study (Location: NAT-GEN)
$16.99
Flood of Noah
by Bodie Hodge, Laura Welch
from Master Books
for 5th-10th grade
in Worldview & Apologetics for Kids (Location: BIBWV-APK)
$15.99
Fossil Book
Wonders of Creation Series
by Gary & Mary Parker
from Master Books
for 4th-10th grade
in Dinosaurs & Fossils (Location: SCI-DINO)
$15.19
Geology Book
Wonders of Creation Series
by John D. Morris
from Master Books
for 4th-10th grade
in Geology (Rocks & Minerals) (Location: SCI-GEO)
$15.19
God Made All of Me
by Justin S. Holcomb, Lindsey A. Holcomb
Fir from New Growth Press
for Nursery-3rd grade
in Sex Education (Location: HEAL-SEXED)
$15.99
God's Big Book of Animals
by Shirley Rash
from Master Books
for 3rd-6th grade
in Zoology (Location: SCI-ZOOL)
$30.39 $24.00 (1 in stock)
Grand Canyon
by Tom Vail
from Master Books
for 5th-Adult
in Geology (Rocks & Minerals) (Location: SCI-GEO)
$13.59
Gravity
by Jason Chin
from Roaring Brook Press
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Physics (Location: SCI-PHY)
$18.99
How Flowers Grow
Usborne Beginners
by Emma Helbrough
from Usborne
for Preschool-3rd grade
in Usborne Beginners (Location: SCI-USBREA)
$4.49 $2.70 (2 in stock)
How to Think Like a Scientist
by Stephen P. Kramer
1st edition from HarperCollins
for 4th-6th grade
in Science Reference (Location: SCIREF)
$16.89 $12.00 (1 in stock)
Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia
3rd edition from Kingfisher
for 4th-10th grade
in Science Reference (Location: SCIREF)
$34.99
Leaf Can Be . . .
by Laura Purdie Salas, illustrated by Violeta Dabija
from Millbrook Press
for Nursery-1st grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
$17.99
Life Before Birth
by Gary Parker
from Master Books
for 3rd-6th grade
in Pregnancy & Infant Care (Location: PRE-INF)
$10.39
Life in the Great Ice Age
by Michael & Beverly Oard
from Master Books
for 2nd-6th grade
in Worldview & Apologetics for Kids (Location: BIBWV-APK)
$12.79
Life of Fred: Chemistry
by Stanley F. Schmidt
from Polka Dot Publishing
for 9th-12th grade
in Life of Fred Math (Location: MAT-FRED)
$39.00
Life of Fred: Pre-Algebra 0 with Physics
from Polka Dot Publishing
for 7th-9th grade
in Life of Fred Math (Location: MAT-FRED)
$39.00 $26.00 (1 in stock)
Little Engine That Could - Original Edition
by Watty Piper
from Platt and Munk Publishers
Personification Stories for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
$9.99
Living Fossils
by Carl Werner
from Master Books
for 9th-Adult
in Evolution: The Grand Experiment (Location: SCICUR-EVO)
$23.99
Magnificent Mammals
Marvels of Creation
by Buddy & Kay Davis
from Master Books
for 2nd-6th grade
in Mammals (Location: SCI-MAM)
$11.19
Mineral Book
by David McQueen
from Master Books
for 4th-10th grade
in Geology (Rocks & Minerals) (Location: SCI-GEO)
$15.19
Moby-Dick
Everyman's Library
by Herman Melville
from Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.
Realistic Nautical Fiction for 9th-Adult
in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19)
$35.00
Molecules
by Theodore Gray
from Black Dog & Leventhal
for 9th-12th grade
in Chemistry (Location: SCI-CHEM)
$29.99
Moonshot
by Brian Floca
Expanded Edition from Atheneum
for 1st-5th grade
2010 Robert F. Sibert Honor Book
in Oversized History Books (Location: HISW-OVER)
$19.99
Mysterious Voyage of Captain Kidd
Landmark #122
by A.B.C. Whipple
from Purple House Press
for 5th-9th grade
in Pirates (Location: HISV-PIRATE)
$14.99
National Audubon Society Field Guide to Seashore Creatures
by Norman A Meinkoth
First Edition from Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.
for 4th-Adult
in Field Guides & Nature Handbooks (Location: NAT-FIELD)
$27.00
Nest Is Noisy
by Dianna Hutts Aston
from Chronicle Books
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Nature Study (Location: NAT-GEN)
$16.99
New Astronomy Book
Wonders of Creation Series
by Jonathan Henry
2nd edition from Master Books
for 4th-10th grade
in Astronomy (Space) (Location: SCI-AST)
$15.19
New Ocean Book
Wonders of Creation Series
by Frank Sherwin
from Master Books
for 4th-10th grade
in Oceanography & Marine Biology (Location: SCI-OCEAN)
$15.19 $9.00 (1 in stock)
New Weather Book
Wonders of Creation Series
by Michael Oard
2nd edition from Master Books
for 4th-10th grade
in Meteorology (Weather & Climate) (Location: SCI-WEA)
$15.19
Night Animals
Usborne Beginners Level 1
by Susan Meredith
from Usborne
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Usborne Beginners (Location: SCI-USBREA)
$4.49 $2.70 (1 in stock)
Novare General Biology
by Heather Ayala & Katie Rogstad
1st edition from Novare
for 10th-11th grade
in Novare Science & Math (Location: SCICUR-NOV)
$121.95
Novare General Chemistry
by John D. Mays
3rd edition from Novare
for 11th-12th grade
in Novare Science & Math (Location: SCICUR-NOV)
$107.95
Novare General Chemistry - Complete Solutions and Answers
by John D. Mays
2nd edition from Novare
for 11th-12th grade
in Novare Science & Math (Location: SCICUR-NOV)
$46.95
Novare General Chemistry - Solutions Manual
by John D. Mays
2nd edition from Novare
for 11th-12th grade
in Novare Science & Math (Location: SCICUR-NOV)
$32.95
Novare Physics: Modeling Nature
by John D. Mays
2nd edition from Novare
for 12th grade
in Novare Science & Math (Location: SCICUR-NOV)
$121.95
Novare Physics: Modeling Nature - Experiments
by John D. Mays
from Novare
for 12th grade
in Novare Science & Math (Location: SCICUR-NOV)
$23.95
Novare Physics: Modeling Nature - Solutions Manual
by John D. Mays
from Novare
for 12th grade
in Novare Science & Math (Location: SCICUR-NOV)
$46.95 $33.00 (1 in stock)
Our Created Moon
by Don DeYoung & John Whitcomb
Upd Rev from New Leaf Press
for 4th-6th grade
in Our Solar System (Location: SCI-AST)
$17.99
Polar Opposites
by Erik Brooks
from Two Lions
for Nursery-2nd grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
$16.99
Pond
by Jim Lamarche
from Simon and Schuster
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
$18.99
Ray of Light
by Walter Wick
from Scholastic Inc.
for 2nd-7th grade
in Light & Sound (Location: SCI-PHY)
$17.99
Riot and the Dance - Textbook
by Dr. Gordon Wilson
from Canon Press
for 11th-Adult
in Biology (Location: SCI-BIO)
$70.00
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