The 13 Commandments?
"Why do high school students do biology first? Is there a scientific reason? Is it traditional? Does it have to do with testing?
~Christy"
Hi Christy,
They do biology first because it doesn't require much math!!!
Some science folk will tell you that physics should go first (because it's the tiniest particles) and that chemistry should go second (bigger particles and combinations) and biology should go LAST (because of the complex organisms.) But biology doesn't require much math, chemistry requires a bit of math, and physics requires a LOT of math, so they do it backwards.
Homeschoolers tend to think that there are actually 13 commandments, and that biology, chemistry, and physics are the extra three. It's not true! You can branch out when you teach science! There is astronomy, geology, botany, ornithology... you name it! Now probably colleges would like to see at least one of the standard sciences. And if your child wants to go into a scientific profession then biology, chemistry, and physics might be important. But for some kids, branching out is a better idea. That way you can teach them to LOVE science, and encourage the love of learning.
Little tip: biology is the most expensive science. If you are short on cash, skip the biology labs, and make sure you do labs in the OTHER sciences. It will save money.
Thanks for the question! I'll put it on my blog as well. My husband will be so happy I wrote my blog post for the day already!
A big "THANK YOU" to Joan who today was kind enough to let us know that one of the SAT links in the third lesson of our minicourse actually went out to some Spanish Language site! OOOOPS!!! Now what about the other 1100 of you who've received the mini-course? Did you wonder if the SAT was now being given in Spanish?! It's a hard test, but not THAT hard!!
Comments 6
Joelle,
Colleges WILL accept non-traditional labs (at least most of them.) The also prefer to see at least one TRADITIONAL lab. So what I'm suggesting is the you do biology the non-traditional way, and save the traditional for chemistry or physics. Non-traditional is a great way to learn! If you want to go to a college that is selective, particularly if you want to go into some branch of sciences, then they will also want to see at least one traditional subject in science. There is a LOT of room for branching out in all areas of high school, and ESPECIALLY in science. I hope that helps!
Blessings,
Lee
So, will colleges accept non-traditional "Labs?" How about if you dissect something you found somewhere (think roadkill), or do a virtual dissection online? What if you help a veterenarian during surgery? Or even slaughter and process a pig on your own farm? What if you've done something huge like a survey of flora and fauna in a state park, and put in a few hundred hours removing invasive species and re-introducing native plants to boot? Or if you've travelled both to Louisiana and Arizona and you write a killer research paper on the effects of climate on geckos based on firsthand observations and library research? There's just so much more to hands-on biology than the traditional elements, it's hard to imagine colleges rejecting research and work that resembles what grad students do all the time. You'd know better than I, but it just seems to me that one can save a ton of money if one thinks outside the box.
Hi Joelle,
Studying biology in elementary and middle school is very inexpensive, and you really SHOULD write a book called "Biology on a Shoestring!"
High school biology that includes lab work will require a microscope and critters to dissect. Microscopes are very pricey, and critters aren't cheap either. You can find some at the butcher, but even that isn't free, and most butchers don't carry frogs, fish, and worms to dissect :-)
So yup, biology labs are the most expensive high school science labs. You don't have to do the labs in biology, as I said, but if you do, it's pretty expensive.
HUH? I always thought Biology was the cheapest because you don't have to go far to find something to observe and experiment with! Just about anywhere you go, you have dirt, rain, plants, and animals around you, right? There are public parks just about everywhere, right? Some of us are blessed to have easy access to a huge variety of ecosystems within one day's drive. You can create your own labs even if all you have is a little patch of dirt and the occasional bird or bug! Visitor centers at state and national parks are fantastic for learning about biology - and sometimes they even give you free goodies if you tell them you homeschool. Ha, maybe I should write a book - "Biology on a Shoestring."
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