Keniki Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 Thinking ahead. Ds is a computer and robot geek. Life science/biology is his LEAST favorite part of science, but I know his university is going to expect to see it on his transcript (they want 4 years of LAB science). He would gladly skip it if I would let him. So which biology would you recommend? (or is there any chance we CAN skip it?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhudson Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 My computer/geek son thoroughly disliked Biology but I figure it was good for him.;). No real advice but I did focus a lot on the health part of Biology and how he needed to be more physical and move. He took that to heart and exercises by himself on the days he doesn't have karate. He loves Chemistry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Bay Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 I'd check with the university you plan to apply to about whether or not Biology has to be included as one of your sciences. Are you sure you need 4 years of science? Are you looking at only one university? Unless you're sure he can get in, I'd check with at least a few. Otherwise, you're going to have to just do it. I don't have a good suggestion of something geared for someone who hates biology. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiana Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 Thinking ahead. Ds is a computer and robot geek. Life science/biology is his LEAST favorite part of science, but I know his university is going to expect to see it on his transcript (they want 4 years of LAB science). He would gladly skip it if I would let him. So which biology would you recommend? (or is there any chance we CAN skip it?) Why not put it off? Maybe his interest will increase, and if not, he could dual enroll as a senior, take a bio for non-majors class and then not need to take it at university. (Of course, ignore that if he IS a senior) :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenda in MA Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 So which biology would you recommend? (or is there any chance we CAN skip it?) Personally, I would not recommend skipping Biology. I think a basic foundation in Biology is a part of a broad knowledge base that everyone should have. My dh was able to skip Bio in high school, and then never had to take it in college either. His lack of general knowledge in that area has been a bit of a problem later in life when he tries to understand articles/information on nutrition, various diseases, human anatomy, etc. I also have a ds that isn't interested in Biology, but I made him take it anyway. I had him use the Miller Levine book with the Kolbe syllabus. I thought the course provided a good, solid background without being so advanced that it was time consuming. IMHO, I would not push a child like this into a higher-level course, like AP Bio, but I do think a good foundation is important. I hope you find a course that works for you and your ds. Brenda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom22ns Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 (edited) My computer geek really liked Miller/Levine Biology. He had always hated life sciences and dreaded it and came away saying it wasn't bad. With him, that was a major victory. I bought it new with all the online resources. He read the book online, did the reviews online, watched the extra animations and videos online... Are you seeing the trend? Doing most of Biology on the computer seemed to really help. Edited October 23, 2012 by Momto2Ns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Down_the_Rabbit_Hole Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 If all you are looking for is the credit and exposure then I would go with PACES to accomplish this. We have used PACES several times when looking for a credit in a subject that was needed but not something the child wanted or was going to really need in the field they were pursuing. It gave them enough exposure to the material for tests and for a general knowledge bank but not so in depth that had them coming at me with pitch forks. We used the classes exactly as intended (writing papers, drawing maps, research or what ever was assigned besides the workbooks) and ended each class feeling like we actually covered the subject not fudged it. Best of all the subject got completed with minimal pain and complaints. (EXCEPTION: One of my sons used the Algebra Paces and I do not recommend these.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Bay Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 If all you are looking for is the credit and exposure then I would go with PACES to accomplish this. (EXCEPTION: One of my sons used the Algebra Paces and I do not recommend these.) Is this what you mean by PACES? http://www.pacesinfo.org/index.htm A google search turned up many things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 I think that a good education should include a solid *modern* biology course. What I mean by modern biology is biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, and evolution. That would be the core. You could then add in ecology and/or human anatomy/physiology if you want to. I would leave out the detailed stuff on plants and animals. I really like the Miller and Levine text and highly recommend it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Bay Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 I think that a good education should include a solid *modern* biology course. What I mean by modern biology is biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, and evolution. That would be the core. You could then add in ecology and/or human anatomy/physiology if you want to. I would leave out the detailed stuff on plants and animals. I really like the Miller and Levine text and highly recommend it. That stuff would also have more appeal to someone like the ds in the OPS post, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keniki Posted October 23, 2012 Author Share Posted October 23, 2012 Is this what you mean by PACES? http://www.pacesinfo.org/index.htm A google search turned up many things. PACES usually refers to ACE curriculum (Accelerated Christian Education sometimes referred to as School of Tomorrow). Thank you all for your suggestions. DS really likes the idea of postponing it until his senior year. I have mixed feelings, but fortunately I have some time to think on it. He's only 8th grade now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Down_the_Rabbit_Hole Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 (edited) Is this what you mean by PACES? http://www.pacesinfo.org/index.htm A google search turned up many things. It is with ACE, but I cannot find a link to the Biology. I will keep trying. Edited October 23, 2012 by Down_the_Rabbit_Hole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keniki Posted October 23, 2012 Author Share Posted October 23, 2012 Cbd.com has ACE now. Here's the link for the biology. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Bay Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 PACES usually refers to ACE curriculum (Accelerated Christian Education sometimes referred to as School of Tomorrow). . Thanks, this makes more sense :). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 My first thought was the biology of borgs. Sorry... It sounds good to me! I had a similar thought. Now if we could only find a borg to dissect .... Regards, Kareni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corraleno Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 Thinking ahead. Ds is a computer and robot geek. Life science/biology is his LEAST favorite part of science, but I know his university is going to expect to see it on his transcript (they want 4 years of LAB science). He would gladly skip it if I would let him. So which biology would you recommend? (or is there any chance we CAN skip it?) Exploring the Way Life Works is an intro/nonmajors text that's very accessible and heavily illustrated. It covers the core concepts of cell biology, genetics, and evolution, without the botany/zoology/human A&P stuff. Many of the illustrations and explanations use mechanical or engineering analogies, which may appeal to a computer science/robotics kind of kid. You could do virtual labs (there are some free online, or you can buy access to a website fairly cheaply), or try the Illustrated Guide to Home Biology Experiments. Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Bay Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 It sounds good to me! I had a similar thought. Now if we could only find a borg to dissect .... Regards, Kareni :lol::lol: Of course, people who've never seen Star Trek may think you mean a castle (stronghold, fortress) since that's what it means in Sweden. Bjorn Borg, the tennis player, was named Bear Castle, if you were to translate it into English ;). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keniki Posted October 25, 2012 Author Share Posted October 25, 2012 Exploring the Way Life Works is an intro/nonmajors text that's very accessible and heavily illustrated. It covers the core concepts of cell biology, genetics, and evolution, without the botany/zoology/human A&P stuff. Many of the illustrations and explanations use mechanical or engineering analogies, which may appeal to a computer science/robotics kind of kid. You could do virtual labs (there are some free online, or you can buy access to a website fairly cheaply), or try the Illustrated Guide to Home Biology Experiments. Jackie Interesting. Thanks for sharing that. I'd never heard of that one before. I'm not into Star Wars, so I'm a little lost in the borg conversation, but you can carry on with it if you want. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keniki Posted October 25, 2012 Author Share Posted October 25, 2012 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borg_(Star_Trek) Ah, thank you. Interesting connection to the hive in there. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 Exploring the Way Life Works is an intro/nonmajors text that's very accessible and heavily illustrated. It covers the core concepts of cell biology, genetics, and evolution, without the botany/zoology/human A&P stuff. Many of the illustrations and explanations use mechanical or engineering analogies, which may appeal to a computer science/robotics kind of kid. If you are attracted to Hoagland's book, you might be interested in this plan of study which uses a different book by the same author: High School Biology with Living Books by Jamie McMillin. The resources used are listed here. Regards, Kareni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhudson Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 Interesting. Thanks for sharing that. I'd never heard of that one before. I'm not into Star Wars, so I'm a little lost in the borg conversation, but you can carry on with it if you want. ;) My boys would be shocked.:lol: The Borgs are from Star Trek. If I allowed my boys to, they would live, breathe and talk only Star Wars and Star Trek. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renaissance Mom Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 OK, now I see someone out there needs to write a biology curriculum integrating Star Wars AND Star Trek. My son would fall all over himself to do his schoolwork then!!! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiana Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 OK, now I see someone out there needs to write a biology curriculum integrating Star Wars AND Star Trek. My son would fall all over himself to do his schoolwork then!!! :lol: Well, it's not a course, but he might enjoy this book -- http://www.amazon.com/Biology-Star-Trek-Robert-Jenkins/dp/0060929243/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_1/185-9342215-0917928 (note, one of the questions it asks is whether captain kirk could really have gotten anywhere with the alien females) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhudson Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 OK, now I see someone out there needs to write a biology curriculum integrating Star Wars AND Star Trek. My son would fall all over himself to do his schoolwork then!!! :lol: :iagree: sign us up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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