TOS Review- Supercharged Science

I was asked to review Supercharged Science, an online science curriculum by e-science.  This was developed by Aurora Liper, a former NASA engineer, science teacher and homeschooling mom, along with her husband Al.

There are over 1,000 activities, projects and experiments.  It is very versatile and can be used as a supplement to your current program or as a stand-alone curriculum.  It is very hands-on, which certainly pleased my kiddos.  :-)

We used the program in addition to what we are currently using for science.  I would look through the videos/subject areas ahead of time to find ones that would correspond with what the kiddos were studying.  There is a great conversion chart which helps match up Supercharged Science experiments with what curriculum you are currently using for your children.

My kids loved finding the experiments and activities that corresponded with our lessons in our science book.  That being said, sometimes, they would just choose one that looked like "fun" and we would go with it.  That is where real learning takes place-- when there is interest, enthusiasm and creativity.  :-)  My oldest, who loves anything aviation, was thrilled to build a hovercraft.  The only problem I had with that was that I needed to go to three different stores and order something online to get everything he needed.  But, I'm sure I would have to do the same no matter what if he really wanted to make something like that.

In the photos below, my children are trying an experiment that illustrates the light beams in a microwave and how they go directly to water molecules.  Ivory brand soap has air and water in it and when the light beams hit the water molecules, they were amazed at what happened.  Look at how excited all four of them were staring to see what was going to happen!  Too cool!  :-)

(we were using the microwave we have in the basement just in case the experiment turned out messy, but there was no problem at all!)

My kids LOVED this program.  After every experiment, it was "Mom, let's do another one.  please!"  That says it all in my book.  If someone can make learning fun, especially Science, that they have truly accomplished something.  Science has become so mundane and boring and "textbook-y" to our kids today.  This program definitely changes all of that!  I could fill a dozen blog posts full of pictures like the ones above.  It was educational, fun, and hands-on.  We will enjoy using this program for the rest of the year, that's for sure!  :-)

There is a special offer going on now.  E-Science is offering a complete Supercharged Science mini program ($30 value) for FREE.  Visit this link to obtain a sample of science projects and activities.  It will give you an idea of how it would work for your children.

Supercharged Science is $37 per month for the K-8 level and $57 per month for the K-12 level.  This is for unlimited usage for your entire family.  You may cancel at anytime, and if you cancel within the first 30 days, you pay nothing.

From their website:

Membership benefits:

• Videos of teaching real science to your kids, just like I do in an actual classroom
• Text-book type reading to support the material in the videos
• Hands-on activities and experiments, with videos that guide your kids through them. These activities and experiments are what really ignite a passion for science in most kids.
• Homework exercises/quizzes so you can see what your kids are really learning, and tips for how to keep track of your progress in a real a science journal
• A live science class in difference science areas every few weeks where you can connect with me personally
• Parent resources for helping you give your kids the best science education they can get
• A place to ask me questions (lots of them!)
• Recordings of everything so your kids can do the program on whatever schedule AND at whatever pace suits them.

This was a fun and rewarding review to do!  I enjoyed working on the experiments as much as my children.  Although it could be costly at the monthly rate, when you are using the program for multiple children like in my house, it is definitely worth it and can easily be a stand-alone Science curriculum for your entire family, making it a value, for sure.