Online Science Curriculum

Homeschool Review Crew

CrossWired Science

As part of the crew, we have been part of a beta test.  This beta test is for an online science curriculum called CrossWired Science.  Currently, they have two projects called Sound, and Fluid Dynamics.  As I mentioned this is a Beta test.  Their program is not complete yet so this is only a preliminary review.  More details may follow in a few months as I acclimate myself more with them.  For now, I’m going to tell you what they have and what we think of their beta program.  

About the Program

This program is only in the beginning stages.  Currently, there are two units called Sound, and Fluid Dynamics.  More are coming.  The goal of the end program is to have six years of online science curriculum available.  

Each unit or project is intended to be used over about a month.  Since there are two units right now it would only take you 2-3 months to complete their entire curriculum.  They are working on adding more all the time.  The grand scheme is to have enough for six years of science.  

When you log in as a student you are going to see that you can be a first timer or a second timer.  It’s the same units listed under each category though.  

Each unit has several lessons and quizzes underneath them.  This is why it’s going to take you a month or so per unit.  

Here’s a for instance.  In the first unit of Fluid Dynamics, we click on the first lesson.  This lesson is for Fluid Dynamics and Bernoulli.  There is a video to watch, a worksheet you can open and print if you wish, and a quiz.  I say open and print the worksheet because that would be a great way to have it available for taking notes by answering the questions.

The first timer and second timer versions have the same videos but different questions.  Each goes to a different level.  The second timer curriculum is going to challenge them further to dig deeper.  

How We Used

This has been one we’re casually using.  I have three students who can log in and work on this program.  Two are using the first timer curriculum and one the second timer one.  Because there is not a full year worth of curriculum yet we have not been rushing through it.  We are taking our time and really diving into the information.

So for the fluid dynamics unit, we are watching the videos more than once.  We are having lots of conversations.  The worksheets are being used.  Here is a bit of how we are using each one.

Video 1:  This is the one on Fluid Dynamics and Bernoulli.  We watch the video.  That’s it. Day one watch the video.  Day two watch the video again but with the worksheet printed out for taking notes.  For day three we watch the video a third time and see if you still agree with your notes and answers.  On day four we take the quiz.  It’s a lot longer than this would have to take but because there is no rush it’s working for us.

For days four and five we take advantage of the other information available with each unit.  So we’ve watched a video, number one, we know it inside and out.  Now it’s time to work on some of the experiments and other information that is related to this one topic.

Each unit or project has eight videos.  These projects are called global topics.  So for each global topic, there are eight videos.  You could make each global topic last one month or two months.  For us, we’re working on them each being two months.  One video per week.  Because the curriculum is not further along in development this works well.  When they do have six years worth of curriculum I’m sure we would be working faster and getting more than one video done per week.

Besides the videos, you have reading plans, experiments, research, and reinforcements to work on.  I could easily see you spending many months on one topic if you took advantage of everything offered.

Our Thoughts

I really think this online science curriculum is going to be a great one.  We like what we’ve seen so far and are eager to continue and see more global topics.  As a homeschool parent who is also a Christian, I like that this online science curriculum is one that will give glory to God while studying science.  

According to communications with the producer of this new online science curriculum, it is going to span the entire learning lifetime of your student.  When it is finished there should be around 30 global topics and they will cover all you need to know from kindergarten through 12th grade.  That includes chemistry and physics.  

Global Topics are going to integrate all the different types of sciences together.  So you’re not just going to be doing life science, but also physics and earth science all wrapped up into one package.  

There are lots of other fun lessons, reading, questions, experiments within the curriculum as well.  So it’s not just watching videos, taking quizzes, and doing worksheets.  It’s a lot more.  A whole lot more.  This is why it can easily take years to go through once the other topics are added.  

I am intrigued by this curriculum.  It is one I will be coming back to and one that I will be seeing what gets added and how we can use it in our homeschool.  I can’t really speak on price yet as it’s still in the beta stage.  However, I can speak about the quality and what we have seen is excellent. 

Also, how can I not love a program that advocates reading!?  And not just any reading but some amazing books.

Learn More

Learn more by visiting the CrossWired Science website.  Another great way to learn more about this online science curriculum is to read all of the reviews linked up on the main blog post.  There are several families and homeschoolers who have been using this beta program.  I’m sure you’ll find someone using the same homeschool style as you to glean from.  And as always, feel free to ask me any questions in the comments.