justkeepswimming Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 My oldest is turning out to have a strong preference for science and math. (and also cultivating a strong interest in politics - I'm not sure whose kid she is... :lol: ) So, she's currently in 9th grade and doing BJU Biology with zero assistance from me. She aces all the tests and questions. She's midway through Saxon's Algebra II (again - no assistance and acing the tests). She also applies the science/math in real-life conversations and situations and can apply the knowledge months after she's covered a topic, so I feel pretty confident that she knows her stuff. We're looking toward the next 3 years. We had a preliminary schedule sketched out, but it was heavy in literature and history (mom's interests... lol). Since switching my brain around to take her STEM interests as more than a passing fancy - I'm learning that most STEM kids take multiple sciences through each year of high school. Could someone give me some ideas of what that would look like? Would those be classes like Astronomy or Anatomy or ... Marine Biology or... what? And would these normally be half-credit electives, or a full-credit - just like her "required" science course? She's very interested in the possibility of studying Marine Biology, but I'd told her before that I didn't think it would "count" - but that was when I was thinking "one science course per year for science credit." She'll take Chemistry next year (possibly Apologia with a group, because I would like to outsource Chemistry... but I am looking at other options because she has a strong dislike for Apologia texts. I've heard BJU Chemistry is nearly impossible for a non-Chemistry person to teach.... true? She came into Biology with a lot of previous Biology/Life Science background - she will be less familiar with chemistry.) Then Physics for 11th grade and we're thinking another Biology course for 12th (would it be "normal" to take an AP Biology course in 12th grade?) She'll also be taking 4 more years of French, 4 years of Latin (this is her 1st year). I've wondered if the Latin is a wise choice for her now or if she should free up that time for something else, but she really loves the Latin so far and doesn't want to give it up. Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwen in VA Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 A "strong" background in science these days requires a rigorous course in each the big three -- biology, chemistry, and physics. A strong background in math is essential. An additional year of advanced coursework (AP or CC) in one of the three core sciences is highly recommended. If your child is interested in a top college, she can prove her competence in the subject by doing well on an SAT-2 test. Lots of students go into a STEM area with no additional science classes beyond the bio / chem / physics / advanced class sequence. Your child is better off doing WELL in the three standard subjects than in just taking a myriad of random science classes. Whatever science your dd wants to do above and beyond the big three should be entirely up to her! Does she enjoy biology? Anatomy or marine science are natural classes for her to take. Is she interested in math and engineering? Consider a computer programming or CAD class. Just make sure that her math classes are rigorous! Outside interests -- Do help your dd to find some kind of extra-curricular outlet for her science interest. Robotics, helping monitor water quality for a local environmental group, getting involved in building houses for Habitat for Humanity (engineering), joining a math team, ..... Any outside activity that helps her use/develop her science / math / hands-on skills and gets her excited would be GREAT! If she is really serious about her math / science interests, she may end up dropping Latin and not pursuing two languages. There are only so many hours in a day! But as long as she can handle everything time-wise, there is no need to drop things preemptively. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 A "strong" background in science these days requires a rigorous course in each the big three -- biology, chemistry, and physics. A strong background in math is essential. An additional year of advanced coursework (AP or CC) in one of the three core sciences is highly recommended. If your child is interested in a top college, she can prove her competence in the subject by doing well on an SAT-2 test. Lots of students go into a STEM area with no additional science classes beyond the bio / chem / physics / advanced class sequence. Your child is better off doing WELL in the three standard subjects than in just taking a myriad of random science classes. Whatever science your dd wants to do above and beyond the big three should be entirely up to her! Does she enjoy biology? Anatomy or marine science are natural classes for her to take. Is she interested in math and engineering? Consider a computer programming or CAD class. Just make sure that her math classes are rigorous! I agree. You want deep, quality science and math. That can be tough homeschooling, but a year or more of AP or CC classes will help. I loved AP Biology in high school and appreciated the training there even though I was much more a physical science person in the end. Don't discount the humanities though. Being able to think, see connections, argue a point, and write well are absolutely critical in science. I began at a liberal arts college and then transferred to an all-technical school, and I have absolutely no regrets. My favorite professor in college had dual undergraduate degrees in math and Latin. And my father was a theoretical physicist with an undergraduate degree from Reed College. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justkeepswimming Posted January 19, 2013 Author Share Posted January 19, 2013 Thanks for the input - it helps tremendously! We'll aim for 2 years of Latin, then, so she can finish Wheelock's and re-assess her goals with Latin after that. Her current science plan is to continue with Saxon Advanced Math for 10th and 11th grade and Calculus for 12th. That last may or may not be changed to Calc at the CC if I cannot find a local tutor or class for her with the Saxon Calc because that will be way out of my wheelhouse. For Science, I know that BJU Biology is a solid course. She has covered the evolution-related chapters/topics in both the BJU and a secular Biology text, so she's studied both sides on that topic. Will start looking at what Chemistry options we have around here, or for online class options. I'm thinking having "BJU" linked to all of her high school science courses isn't going to do her any favors if she decides to go into a competitive science field. ??? Outside interests -- Do help your dd to find some kind of extra-curricular outlet for her science interest. Robotics, helping monitor water quality for a local environmental group, getting involved in building houses for Habitat for Humanity (engineering), joining a math team, ..... Any outside activity that helps her use/develop her science / math / hands-on skills and gets her excited would be GREAT! This was great to read. She is already doing this, but Habitat for Humanity hadn't occurred to either of us. She is interested mostly in biology and engineering. Our neighbors are each a chemical engineer and a mechanical engineer, so she can ask them a ton of questions about their career and see if either of those fields appeal to her. This also reminded me that she'd asked about doing docent training at the Museum of Natural History for the university here or for the city's science museum. Their minimum age is 16, but I need to call for details for this so we don't miss any deadlines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 I am not sure why you would be mentioning the science texts. I didn't mention any texts I used with any of my kids' applications. The schools didn't want extra paper to handle. I just named the course Biology, Physics,. etc. BJU is a fine choice for science. It is a very rigorous program and if she learns what is in those texts, she won't have problems with college science. My son used BJU chemistry and he had chemistry (for non majors) in college and it was all a review for him. As long as you teach evolutionary biology along with BJU, I don't see a problem at all. Or do you live in CA and intend for her to go to one of the state universities? Because I think in CA you have to list texts but I think that is the only school that requires that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowbeltmom Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Because I think in CA you have to list texts but I think that is the only school that requires that. I think that this is another case that will vary depending on the college. The top three colleges on my oldest's list all want to see a book list, including all textbooks used. None of the three schools is located in CA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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