Go ahead and browse through the lists to see what you already have and what you’ll be needing. Keep in mind that these lists are for ALL the experiments, and most families select only the ones they want to do (or is within their budget). The first part of the shopping lists are easy-to-find items, and the second half are for the more advanced/further studies experiments and projects. Since there are over 600 experiments on the site, you’ll want to pick and choose your activities as you go along.

Note that the more advanced topics (Units 9-12) use materials interchangeable with each other, so the batteries, motors, wires, and things like that will be used for multiple units. How long you take on each unit depends on your child’s interest and how much time you spend each week on science. Most families report covering one unit per month, but Units 9-12 take longer.

Note: You can view the shopping lists for all the units before you enroll in the program, however you do need to be a member for the download links to work.

Thanks!

My oldest child is strictly by-the-book literal due to his Aspergers Syndrome. He will be fourteen next month and is currently absorbing every thing there is to learn about the cosmos. . outer rings and other things. . .and his younger brother lives somewhere between the two. We call this place “Rickyland,” a nickname that stuck after years of trying to get his attention. On some days I wonder if he hears anything I say. I can read to him but he thinks up new endings and beats me there every time with a better “idea.” I always catch myself and say “I think you are right!”

Needless to say, and the teachers of oddlings will agree, boys like mine find their niche in this life and be honored and revered by their peers (even if they end up eating lunch alone). The typical classroom setting was no place for either of them to thrive. I can give you a list of reasons but I will spare you of that for now. One of my biggest challenges has been to come up with a good K-12 science plan. I have spent the better part of two years figuring out a cumulative way to address all of our needs that would carry us straight through high school.

So, here I humbly stand, thanking God for the internet once again. ( And as a graduate of The Old School, which I fought back like a lion, I confess is a big deal.) My oldest went straight to Lesson 7 and my other can’t wait to make his hovercraft cub scout meeting. (!) There was a sprinkle of twinkle in his eyes as he recited back to me the entire list of needed items. It’s very nice to know that what needs to stick does so.

So, today on my 50th birthday, I dub you queen of all things science because someone needs to be! And that is that.

Now that the bells have tolled, let there be great slumbering sounds among the people as they all live happily-ever-after. Well, sort of. . .

The switch rating you have should be fine – we’re using only 3 volts, so you’ll be just fine. The rating is to be sure you don’t melt the switch by putting too much current (or voltage) through it.