Our Experience with Science Exploration
Overview
- Curriculum Name: Mystery Science
- Target Age/Grade Range: Ages 5-12
- Format: Digital Subscription (includes video lessons and printable activities)
- Units/Modules: Units sorted by grade, but accessible to all levels. There are also mini-lessons available.
- Placement Test: No formal placement test, but content is organized by age.
Why We Chose Mystery Science
We initially chose Mystery Science because we wanted a curriculum with engaging, hands-on experiments using everyday items. We had been doing random activities previously based on interests and I wanted more of a core, open-and-go style curriculum. The video lessons and printable activities provided accessibility, and we appreciated the variety of topics it covers. It was easy to implement and fun for my kids to dive into.
Our Experience So Far
- Current Level/Stage: We’ve used Mystery Science for just about one year now.
- What We’ve Completed: We’ve completed multiple units from the 6-9 and 7-10 grade sections.
- What’s Next: We plan to continue using Mystery Science as a supplement, though we’re transitioning to Real Science Odyssey for a more structured science curriculum.
What We Love About Mystery Science
- Hands-On Experiments: The experiments require simple, easy-to-find items, making it affordable and accessible. My kids love the hands-on approach, and the activities help reinforce the lessons.
- Video Lessons: The video lessons are short and engaging, making science easy to understand. They provide a solid introduction to each topic, and clearly explain every step of the activity.
- Supplementary but Flexible: While Mystery Science isn’t a full science curriculum on its own, it pairs well with other resources. It’s a great supplement to a more comprehensive curriculum and helps make science fun.
- Easy to Use: The platform is user-friendly, and the activities are simple to prepare, which makes it ideal for a busy homeschooling schedule.
- Group Buy Deals: I’ve been able to take advantage of group buy deals on Facebook, saving money on our subscription.
What Could Be Improved
- Not Comprehensive Enough: While the lessons are fun and engaging, Mystery Science doesn’t offer a cohesive, thorough, or linear science timeline. The curriculum feels a bit scattered, with topics chosen at random rather than following a comprehensive progression.
- Limited Depth: Some units could benefit from deeper exploration. For older students, you may want to supplement with additional materials to provide a more thorough understanding of the topic.
- Time-Consuming: The core lessons, which include the exploration, hands-on activity, and wrap-up, usually take about an hour. This leaves little time for additional activities like vocabulary, assessments, or extension activities, although you can easily add these on another day. There are 3-5 lessons per unit.
- Made for Classrooms: Although they do make notes for homeschoolers, it can sometimes be a difficult to determine what to print and prepare for just one student. It’s a good idea to watch all the videos ahead of time (they’re short!) to confirm.
How It Fits Our Homeschooling Journey
Mystery Science has been a fun and easy-to-use supplement in our homeschool. The hands-on experiments are a hit with my kids, and the video lessons provide a clear explanation of the concepts. However, as we move to Real Science Odyssey for a more structured and comprehensive science curriculum, we will likely continue to use Mystery Science as an additional resource to reinforce specific topics or concepts.
Community & Support
- Group Buy Deals on Facebook: The Mystery Science Facebook groups have been helpful for finding deals and connecting with other homeschoolers using the curriculum. It’s also a great place to get ideas and ask questions.
Progress & Achievements
The hands-on experiments have been a favorite in our house. My kids are excited to try out each new activity and connect it to the real world. While we’ve enjoyed Mystery Science, we’re excited to see how Real Science Odyssey brings a more structured, in-depth approach to our science learning. We’ll be diving into Chemistry I next year.
Conclusion: Would I Recommend Mystery Science?
I would recommend Mystery Science to homeschoolers looking for an engaging, hands-on supplement for their science curriculum. While it doesn’t offer a fully comprehensive, linear science timeline, it’s a great way to introduce kids to science concepts in a fun and interactive way. We’re moving on to Real Science Odyssey for a more complete science curriculum but will continue using Mystery Science for additional exploration.