Why would anyone skip Biology Lab? What could possibly be more fun that dissection critters and peeping through a microscope? Sure Biology lab is a lot of fun, but it’s also pretty expensive, which is why I talk about it in my Special Report, “7 Secrets to Homeschooling Though a Financial Storm.” Holly read the report and had a follow up question.
Dear Lee,
I just read your special report and think it was very well done. Lots of great tips for saving money and giving parents confidence to strike out on their own a bit more. I was surprised to see that you suggested skipping Biology or doing it with media applications (online or video) instead of hands-on. In Arizona, the state universities are very particular about the high school sciences being first-hand LAB courses. This is something that I have stressed with my contacts and in my workshops–not just Biology, but any high school science needs to be documented actual lab work. Tell me what you have encountered that puts a lighter emphasis on the labs. Is this more a state-by-state emphasis or is there more of a trend toward “softer” science coursework? Keep up the good work. You are doing many of the things that I dream of doing and can’t make happen all by myself.
~Holly in Arizona
Dear Holly,
I was surprised to see my suggestion about dropping Biology lab too, because I’m a nurse! I loved biology – and especially the biology labs! I think it’s important to remember how financially desperate people can be in this economy. It’s better to drop a biology lab than not do biology at all – or stop homeschooling entirely because of concerns about science.
First, public universities sometimes have very different requirements than colleges as a whole. I have to gear my message to “general” college preparation. Some colleges requires that lab sciences be taught in a classroom with a certified teacher, for example, and I don’t mention that in my article. It’s a general college prep article.
There is a difference between a public school requirement for something, and what your state law requires from homeschoolers. I see that a lot as I work with homeschoolers nationwide. They think that because a class is required for high school graduation that they also need to meet the requirement, and that often is not true. I don’t think you were concerned about that in your question, but it’s worth throwing it out there.
There is no national definition about what a lab science really is. No definition. Here is a snippet from an upcoming article I’ve written about lab sciences:
The US House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology formed the Subcommittee on Research and Science Education issued a report about lab science, and it is remarkably clear in their conclusion.
National Research Council’s America’s Lab Report: Investigations in High School Science states, “The NRC report committee concluded that there exists no commonly agreed upon definition of laboratories in high schools amongst researchers and educators.”
Most colleges do not require documented lab sciences. Some colleges do. The most important thing for parents is to research the schools where they plan to apply. Usually a college that has specific science requirements will also provide a method for them to achieve success. Perhaps they will allow the ACT science portion to meet the requirement, or they will accept an SAT Subject Test or AP exam in a science area.
There are many colleges that don’t require excessive math or science. Perhaps their emphasis is music or art or a specific trade, and general sciences meet their admission requirements. There is a very wide variety of colleges that homeschool parents choose.
In general, when I look over the college preparation sites, they don’t mention taking a lab science every year. Even the college board doesn’t specifically mention a lab science. It mentions three years of science, but isn’t specific about the lab requirement.
Science
Science teaches students to think analytically and apply theories to reality. Laboratory classes let students test what they have learned through hands-on work. Six semesters are recommended.
- Two semesters in biology
- Two semesters in chemistry and/or physics
- Two semesters in earth/space sciences, advanced biology, advanced chemistry, or physics
It’s a good idea to make parents aware that the public university in your area has a greater emphasis in lab science. But I think it’s good to remember that colleges are rarely specific about WHICH sciences, and it’s OK for parents to have some delight-directed science courses along with the more ordinary biology-chemistry-physics choices.
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J W says:
Fresh roadkill is great for dissection, and it’s free. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to convince my husband of that
He hasn’t yet let me bring anything dead home except a salmon a fisherman gave me 
November 19th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Leticia Barnes says:
I just had a thought about science and testing. I have always taught science through a Christian perspective. Is that going to mess them up with sat testing?
February 17th, 2010 at 7:26 pm
Lee says:
Dear Leticia,
Great question! I just answered that question today with another mom, too! The answer is no, it won’t mess them up on the PSAT, SAT, or ACT. There are hardly ever questions that are very specific, only some passing references to “Billions of years ago…” Not enough to really affect a score, and most homeschoolers are savvy enough to answer correctly anyway. I’ll blog post on that topic later, though. It’s interesting!
Blessings,
Lee
February 17th, 2010 at 7:29 pm
Sharon says:
Would a Nature Study count as a lab science? My girls are neither one interested in science – one is going into music, the other film production. We’re doing biology now, and I suspect we’ll either do chemistry or physics, but the thought of doing both is a little…exhausting to thing of to my two non-science-centered girls.
And another question…would earth science count as a lab science? We covered astronomy, weather, etc., oceanography, etc. and built lots of weather forecasting items and built a telescope to study the stars.
Thanks!
Sharon
March 8th, 2010 at 7:06 pm
Lee Binz says:
Sharon,
I’ll answer your question in a future blog post, but the answer is yes!
Blessings,
Lee
March 14th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
Sandy says:
We dissected a snake the cat left dead in the front yard. We broke apart a cheap razor and used sewing pins in a cardboard mat. Not the best methods but for a 9 year old he was thrilled. Luckily I had dissected dogs, cats, etc in college so I was past being squeamish.
April 16th, 2010 at 6:09 am
Selina says:
JW,
Your idea sounds like a good one but, fresh road kill is NOT a great idea. You could actually get rabies from them. You have probably already thought about that since posting this. You can read more at this site.
http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/32131.html
May 25th, 2010 at 10:27 am
Angie says:
Food Chemistry is a great way to get some chemistry into our students. I love the Magic School Bus series that deal with more aspects of science. We need to think more out of the box when describing life experiences that have taught our students more than what can be taught in less than 170 hours in a classroom setting…
Describing a child’s passion in terms of what they have learned is a much better approach to science. Observations, experiments and the all important recapping of their experiences in a written form are excellent ways of accomplishing lab work.
August 17th, 2010 at 7:06 am
edutext says:
I’m quite surprised that science isn’t required by more universities, because it’s probably the most wide covering subject studied. Only basic maths is ever needed in a regular job (and not even that anymore) and obviously English is important but science covers a lot more of what we actually understand in life.
September 10th, 2010 at 6:20 am
Lee says:
Science IS required for admission by almost all colleges. Some colleges allow some flexibility, and others are more specific about the types of science or the lab experiences they require.
Most colleges also require 3-4 years of math – as possible for the student. Some colleges allow some flexibility on WHAT math you teach, and others are more specific, and want to see Algebra 2 or Pre-calculus.
Here is an article that may help you think about math:
http://www.thehomescholar.com/blog/why-is-math-important/22/
Blessings,
Lee
September 10th, 2010 at 6:56 am