How to put together a Homeschool Science program. A step by step guide.

Create a Homeschool Science Program in 4 simple steps. (summary)

Step 1: Get an easy to follow Science workbook which covers the Australian Curriculum. It's fantastic if the book has a list of topics covered on the contents page.

Step 2: Go through the contents page of your curriculum-aligned workbook and plan 3-4 activities, experiments, and excursions based on topics that list. Don't go overboard - you can add more later.

Step 3: Start! This is where the inspiration begins. Start working through your workbook or activities. Notice where your child's interest sparks, and once you see a spark, nurture it. Add more layers to that topic. Experiments, activities, excursions. Have fun personalising your program to suit your child. 

Step 4: Get related puzzles and games, and watch the conversation flow while your child shares their love of the topic with their family, or immerses themselves in a related puzzle.

(By the way - Brain Spice sells a fantastic range of science workbooks, as well as a unique and inspiring range of science resources which compliment a homeschool program perfectly!) 

Science is an incredibly inspiring subject. However, when you're first putting together a homeschool Science program, it can be an overwhelming experience. 

Science is incredible! It's hands on! It's fun! It's exciting! Which is why it's so easy to get too excited and buy anything and everything so that you can teach your child everything in a fun and exciting way.

Unfortunately when you do that, more often than not those resources will likely sit in a cupboard collecting dust, because you'll have so many amazing ideas and resources - you won't know where to start. 

Either that, or your child's schedule will be so full that it won't leave room to follow where their natural curiosity could lead them. 

Which is why when first starting out, I suggest starting simple. 

Here's my step by step guide to create an interesting, inspiring, and sustainable science plan for your homeschooling program.

Step 1: Get an easy to follow Science workbook which covers the Australian Curriculum. If the workbook has a list of topics covered on the contents page, that's perfect!

This is usually enough to cover what is needed to teach the Australian Curriculum and it will take the overwhelm out of planning your homeschool program. You can rest assured that if you cover the things in that workbook, your moderator will be happy when it comes time for your annual meeting. 

Step 2: Understand that Science is too exciting to learn about it in a one dimensional way!

It needs to be seen... delved into... experienced!

Science is the subject which explains the magic that happens in the world, the magic that is the universe around us, and it even shows the magic within our own body!

It's a subject which, when experienced well, will fascinate, inspire, and create lifelong learners.

Kids are born with curiosity and wonder.

Science is the subject which encourages them to keep it.

Science is the subject which can inspire students to consider what is possible. To consider how their ideas can make a difference in the world.

Science creates a lifelong love of sentences starting with the words "I wonder..."

This is why step 2 is dedicated to adding those extra dimensions to your learning program.

For step 2, go through the contents page of your curriculum-aligned workbook and plan 3-4 activities, experiments, and excursions based on that list. You will do these at some point throughout the year. 

Don't go overboard - You can add more later! 

But at least now you have a plan. A plan which covers the curriculum. A plan which will keep the moderator happy. A plan which is more than just a workbook. A plan which also isn't too overwhelming and you haven't spent your life savings on. 

You're ready.

Step 3: Start! Begin however you like! Go on one of your planned excursions, do one of your planned experiments, or start on your workbook - whatever works for your family.

This is where the inspiration begins. Work through the pages or topics of your workbook, and as you go, pay attention to where your child's interest sparks. When you see a spark, nurture it and add more layers to that topic in a way that suits your family. 

Are they interested in Dinosaurs? Great! There are countless activities, books, documentaries, and excursions that can be based around that!

Are they interested in gardening? Great! Plant a veggie garden and they will see first hand the life cycle of a plant, the benefits of different soils and mulches, and the difference between various plants, fruits, and vegetables.

Are they interested in the Solar System? Great! There are so many ways that you can delve further into learning more about the universe. Does your town have a local observatory? Do you have a telescope? Have you learnt about Galileo? Can you make a model of the solar system? 

Are they loving chemistry experiments? Great! Plan an experiment a week! Don't feel overwhelmed - you don't need to record results of every experiment. Just pick out a few fun experiments to do for a start and see what happens! You may notice that your child's interest will naturally cause them to start asking more in depth questions, which can then be answered with further experimentation and record-keeping.

Planning your science program in this simple, sustainable way means that you're more likely to have the time and mental capacity to alter the path as needed, and over time you will have created a personalised and truly inspiring homeschool science program. 

Which is perfect, because science is a subject that you want to enjoy!

Step 4: This step is purely optional. However, if you want to add another layer to your educational program, when you have some downtime, get the family together to play a science-themed game, or do a science-themed puzzle. If you choose to do this, listen as your child excitedly tells family members all about their experiences learning about the topic. This natural conversation is a fantastic way for homeschooling parents to "test" their kid's understanding without them noticing. If kids can teach it to others, it shows that they understand it!

Do these things and you won't need to feel stressed about the moderator meeting, because if you're using the curriculum-aligned workbook as a base, you are covering the Australian Curriculum. 

And most importantly, you'll have yourself a fun, interest-led, multi-dimensional science program, which is personalised perfectly for your child and fits in with your lifestyle. 

IMPORTANT NOTE! Don't be afraid to introduce a range of science concepts to your younger kids, even though the topics are only covered by the curriculum later on. The curriculum ensures that they are learning what they need to learn by the time they are finished their school years, however you aren't limited to it.

You can add whatever you like to your science program! The plan above gives a good starting point, but as stated in step 3 - you will likely find your own path from this and personalise your program to suit your family perfectly.

Just like no person is identical - no homeschool plan is identical.

There's no need to wait until your child is in year 6 before you show them that a toy car can be powered by the sun. And you don't need to wait until your child is in year 5 before showing your child that a prism can separate light to make a rainbow. They may not understand why these things happen when they're young, but I promise you it will intrigue them! 

Watch when you leave a child to play with a toy designed with a science concept in mind. As your child plays, you can see by the look on their face that the sentences in their mind start with the words "I wonder what would happen if...", or "I wonder how this works...".

You'll then see them test their ideas to try to figure out the answer.

These are the words and actions of scientists.

By introducing science topics in age appropriate ways, regardless of what the curriculum says, you'll be nurturing your child's natural curiosity. 

And that's what science is all about.

"Equipped with his five senses, man explores the universe around him and calls the adventure Science." - Edwin Powell Hubble

Australian Curriculum Topics - View by Year Level

If you'd like to know which topics are taught in each year level when following the Australian Curriculum, select a year level below. This is a good starting point if you're interested in planning experiments, activities, and excursions. 

The Australian Curriculum changes from time to time. These lists are a good starting point, however slight changes to the curriculum may have been made since this post was written (2025). Most changes are minor and aren't enough to alter a homeschool program dramatically. However if you're concerned, you can view the official Australian Curriculum online here, or check the contents page of your curriculum-aligned workbook when planning your homeschool science program to ensure you are covering the most recent version of the curriculum.

Shop Homeschool Science Resources at Brain Spice!

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