This is a review for SuperCharged Science that I've had the privilege of reviewing for the past month or so. I reviewed the k-8 program.
Vendor Information
Vendor: SuperCharged Science.
Program: e-science
Cost: $37.00/ month for the K-8 section and $57.00/month for the 9-12 section.
What it contains:
Program: e-science
Cost: $37.00/ month for the K-8 section and $57.00/month for the 9-12 section.
What it contains:
- Access to self-guided lessons
- Detailed video instruction taught by a real Rocket Scientist
- Step by step videos to show how the experiment is to be done
- Comprehensive parent/teacher guides
- Textbook readings
- Exceeds most K-8th State Standards
- Exercises and Quizzes
- Unlimited support for teachers and students
My thoughts
Supercharged Science looks confusing when you first enter the site but Aurora does a good job of helping you get your feet wet. :) She even has a "getting started" section for people who are new to the site to help get them acclimatized.
It's a unit study approach, VERY organized...I love that she has supply lists that are easily printed off so you can assemble everything you need before you start off a unit. Basically, all you need to do is pick a unit, put together a Science Journal, assemble supplies, and GO. It's as easy as that.
As you can see from the graphic below there are LOTS of units to choose from, and each unit has lots of experiments complete with explanations.
It's a unit study approach, VERY organized...I love that she has supply lists that are easily printed off so you can assemble everything you need before you start off a unit. Basically, all you need to do is pick a unit, put together a Science Journal, assemble supplies, and GO. It's as easy as that.
As you can see from the graphic below there are LOTS of units to choose from, and each unit has lots of experiments complete with explanations.
We didn't actually complete any one unit completely but we did touch on a number of them. We basically would go to the site, check out the listings and then make a choice. The beauty is that we can go back and pick up where we left off quite easily. The lessons are designed to work with how your child learns best. Sometimes we read the facts before we did an experiment and sometimes we just did the experiment and learned some facts and at other times the lad just wanted to DO stuff and figure out the whys as he went. This aspect of the program is probably what I like best. It's not a "you have to do this step in order to go to that step" you can go back and forth in whatever way suits you best.
Magnets:
Magnets:
Blowing up soap
Experiments in Motion and Matter
Do I recommend it?
Yes. I do. I like this program. I absolutely adore that it spurs on my son to creating his own experiments and discovering new ones. When doing the magnets my son learned he can make a snake that wags his tail. :) He had so much fun with the magnets. Even "scaring" the iron filings (you can make them be like a cat in raising their hair to make themselves look bigger).
Making a hovercraft was just a hoot and the lad learned a lot as he took the experiment further. I was unable to get a video of his "taking it further" but I did manage to capture the hovercraft working. Suffice it to say it resulted in excited yelling of MOM! Look at what I did!!! (very cool bud, can you do it again??? Great...now quick clean it up before Dad comes home). :) Then we talked about why it worked and he came up with some good thoughts. And just so you know.... a hovercraft CAN carry a homemade angry bird as long as the balloon is big enough. Though cat food and balloons combined with air pressure....you really don't want to go there. :)
Concerns
Much of the step by step guides are done using videos. Actually seeing the videos makes it easier for children to follow the instructions. I like this but here's my BUT..... when the internet is being wonky...lets you see the page but not download the videos, you can't get enough information to actually DO the experiments. Adding in written how-to's would be extremely helpful in this situation and is something I would dearly love to see added.
My second concern is this is a unit for ages k-8. Breaking down some of the language for younger students is at times a challenge. Often my lad would say MOM, what does that word mean (and sometimes I didn't know) so I'd have to look it up. Not sure how the creators can get around this aspect though. Hard to balance it out for all ages.
My second concern is this is a unit for ages k-8. Breaking down some of the language for younger students is at times a challenge. Often my lad would say MOM, what does that word mean (and sometimes I didn't know) so I'd have to look it up. Not sure how the creators can get around this aspect though. Hard to balance it out for all ages.
Try it out for yourself
Here's a link for you to go to. Mini Lessons in SuperCharged Science.
To hear what others have to say
Many people have touched on different aspect of this program, so please, go check them out by either clicking here or clicking on the image below
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