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If you aren’t a science and math-minded parent, you might be stressing over the thought of teaching a homeschool chemistry lab. Or you might even be wondering how on earth you can do a chemistry lab from home?
Do you need to order dangerous chemicals? How much will all of the lab supplies cost? The whole thing might have you feeling overwhelmed. Here at Homeschool Mastery Academy, we get it!
The good news is you don’t have to pick just one path. Whether you go virtual, hands on, or a mix of both, there’s a homeschool chemistry curriculum out there that fits your family. We put together this guide to compare the best options so you can choose with confidence instead of guessing.
Here Is The Best Way To Approach Homeschool Chemistry Lab
There are two main ways homeschool families handle chemistry labs: virtual labs and hands on lab kits. Virtual labs let your student complete real lab work, from lighting a burner to collecting data, entirely through an online simulation, with no supplies or mess required. Hands on lab kits give your student physical chemicals, glassware, and equipment to run chemistry experiments at your kitchen table or in a dedicated homeschool lab space. Below, we’ll compare the best options for each approach, plus a few complete chemistry courses that build labs right into the curriculum.
The Best Homeschool Chemistry Curriculum and Lab Options
1. College Prep Science (Virtual Labs)
We recommend College Prep Science as our top pick for homeschool chemistry labs, and it’s the one we can speak to most confidently. Homeschool Mastery Academy loves curriculum that we can confidently recommend to homeschooling parents, and College Prep Science fits the bill.
We are beyond thrilled to have an opportunity to share them with you today. Let’s find out if College Prep Science is right for you and your family first.
Created by homeschool dad and former college professor Greg Landry, College Prep Science offers interactive virtual chemistry labs built specifically for homeschooling families, taught from a Christian, creation-based worldview. Students complete real lab work, including collecting data, recording observations, and writing full lab reports, entirely online. There’s nothing to order and nothing to clean up. The virtual labs are available starting in 6th grade through high school, and the live and self-paced chemistry courses both include lab access built in. It’s a strong fit if you want to outsource a tough subject to a qualified teacher without sacrificing lab credit. We’ll go into more detail on why this option works so well a bit further down.
2. Apologia: Exploring Creation with Chemistry
Apologia’s Exploring Creation with Chemistry is one of the most widely used all-in-one chemistry courses for homeschooled high school students. It’s a college-prep, textbook-based course written directly to the student, with 16 modules covering everything from atomic structure to chemical equilibrium. The 28 hands-on experiments use a mix of household items and harder-to-find lab materials, so most families supplement with an optional companion lab kit rather than sourcing everything themselves. It’s taught from a biblical worldview and pairs well with families who want a traditional textbook approach.
3. Berean Builders: Discovering Design with Chemistry
Discovering Design with Chemistry is written by Dr. Jay Wile, the original author of Apologia’s science courses, and is designed for independent study. It requires Algebra 1 as a prerequisite and covers the same core high school chemistry topics with a chronological, story-driven approach. Recorded video lectures are available, and a companion lab kit is sold separately if you’d rather not gather materials yourself.
4. BJU Press: Chemistry
BJU Press Chemistry is a traditional, teacher-led chemistry course available with streaming video instruction. It covers chemical reactions, solutions, acids and bases, organic chemistry, and more from a biblical perspective, with a lab manual for hands on experiments. A companion lab kit is available if you want the supplies pulled together for you.
5. DIVE Interactive Education: Chemistry
DIVE Chemistry is a video-based, college-preparatory course that includes lectures and labs, a printable workbook and lab manual, and video solutions to all workbook and lab activities. It’s a good option for families who want a fully taught course without committing to a live class schedule.
6. Journey Homeschool Academy: Experience Chemistry
Experience Chemistry is a video-based, lab-rich course designed for 9th through 12th grade students. Each week includes a video lesson, a hands on lab experiment with a corresponding lab video, and homework questions. Quizzes and exams are auto-graded, which takes some of the correcting off your plate. It’s taught from a Christian worldview and is considered a rigorous, honors-level chemistry course.
7. Fascinating Education: Fascinating Chemistry
Fascinating Chemistry, created by a retired neurologist who spent years teaching medical students, uses narrated images instead of a textbook to walk students through chemistry concepts one at a time. Each lesson includes a video, a script, a review, and a test, which makes it a solid option for students who need a more visual, self-paced way to learn.
8. Science Shepherd: Fundamentals of Chemistry
Science Shepherd’s Fundamentals of Chemistry video course pairs with their textbook to teach middle school-level chemistry concepts and prepare students for more advanced high school science later on. It’s a good starting point if your student isn’t quite ready for a full high school chemistry course yet.
9. Home Science Tools
If you’d rather choose your own curriculum and just need the supplies, Home Science Tools offers chemistry curriculum and lab kits for grades K through 12, along with individual glassware, chemicals, and equipment. Their kits are built to pair with popular curricula like Apologia, so you’re not stuck guessing what to order.
10. The Home Scientist, LLC
For families who want to build their own hands on chemistry lab from the ground up, The Home Scientist, LLC offers standard and honors-level home chemistry lab kits with a detailed manual covering a full year of experiments. It’s a more involved, DIY option, but it’s a favorite among families who want full control over their chemistry curriculum.
Choosing a Homeschool Chemistry Curriculum
With this many chemistry courses to choose from, it helps to narrow things down by asking a few questions first:
- Does your student need lab credit for college? Most college-bound high school students benefit from a documented lab component, whether that’s virtual or hands on. Check with the colleges your student is interested in if you want specifics.
- Has your student completed Algebra 1? Several of the more rigorous, college-prep chemistry curriculum options above assume this as a prerequisite.
- Do you want to teach it yourself, or outsource it? Virtual and video-based courses are worth considering if you’d rather hand chemistry off to a qualified teacher. All-in-one textbook courses work well if you’re comfortable guiding your student through it yourself.
- Virtual, hands on, or both? Some families prefer the no-mess simplicity of virtual labs. Others want their student physically mixing chemicals and using real lab equipment. There’s no wrong answer, just what works for your family.
- What’s your budget? Costs vary widely between a lab kit add-on and a full year-long online course with live instruction, so it’s worth comparing before you commit.
Are College Prep Science Labs Right For Your Family?
If you are a Christian homeschool family, the answer is yes! College Prep Science is one of the few online options for families who appreciate their children’s science taught from a creation perspective.
Do you have teens that need science labs? Then, yes, College Prep Science is worth a look. One of the easiest ways to complete a homeschool chemistry lab is to do it virtually. We’ll discuss the virtual labs further in just a bit.
Are you not comfortable teaching a homeschool chemistry lab to your kids? Then, yes, College Prep Science might be the perfect option for your family! Please don’t feel bad if teaching a science-based lab isn’t in your wheelhouse. It’s definitely not in mine, so I get it. It makes more sense to have my children learn from a qualified chemistry teacher with a high-quality curriculum than for me to struggle to teach it on my own. I know that most of you will agree, some courses are worth outsourcing, especially some high school courses like a homeschool chemistry lab.
Do you have a 6th-12th grader that is interested in chemistry? If you have a student that is excited to begin a chemistry lab, the virtual option is a wonderful way to go. Children can start using College Prep Science chemistry labs as early as 6th grade through high school.
Why Use Virtual Science Labs for Homeschool Chemistry?
There are so many reasons why using a virtual chemistry lab for homeschool makes sense. But let’s cover a few of the main reasons.
- Easier for parents. A virtual science lab is an easier choice when you compare it to doing one at home. If you are overwhelmed by the thought of collecting all the supplies and running hands on experiments in your kitchen, then virtual is the way to go. There are no additional supplies to purchase and no mess to make. If you want to test the waters with lower-stakes activities for kids first, we have a full post on fun science experiments for kids that are simple enough to try at home. College Prep Science’s online science labs do all of the same things you would do in-person but in a virtual simulation. So your children are not missing out on any experiences or limiting their education in any way. It’s really a win-win for homeschool parents and children that choose to do a homeschool chemistry lab online.
- Outsourcing for high school. If you have a homeschooled high schooler, permit yourself to outsource tough subjects. It’s 100% ok. There is nothing wrong with not teaching every single subject on your own. It is also best to choose a quality curriculum and teachers that can make sure your kids get it when it comes to high school classes that they need to graduate. You can feel confident that your students are learning what they need to know.
- Kids enjoy them. Teens actually enjoy the online homeschool chemistry labs from College Prep Science. Once your student listens to the lecture, there is a virtual lab that simulates the lab experiment. If your children have ever played a video game like Sims before, they will definitely enjoy this virtual experience with chemistry.
What’s Included In A Homeschool Chemistry Lab Online From College Prep Science
It’s all in the name, College Prep Science. Another reason we love them, College Prep Science is preparing your homeschoolers for what to expect in college. Even if they aren’t planning to attend college, these are skills that are worth having some knowledge about.
Create a lab report. Before your child goes to college, it is an excellent idea to make sure they have some basic understanding of how to create a lab report. College Prep Science includes how to do this inside of the homeschool chemistry lab course. Your student will have the opportunity to create a lab report for each chemistry lab. It’s great practice for what is to come if they decide to pursue a math/science-related degree.
Perform Lab Experiments Virtually. I mentioned that kids like the virtual labs because they are a bit like a video game. But seriously, they are a fun and almost realistic way to get your chemistry labs covered without any fuss. The virtual labs cover everything from turning the lights on in the lab to completing the entire lab experiment. Your kids aren’t missing out on anything even though they are doing the experiments online.
Learn to Take Lecture Notes. Taking lecture notes is an important skill to possess before heading to college. Often, we forget to teach our children basic but imperative things like note-taking. You will appreciate that College Prep Science covers note-taking and course basics in the orientation of the class. They want your children to get the most out of the course, so they prepare them for what to expect with essential things like how to take notes properly.
You will also appreciate that the teacher of all their wonderful courses is a homeschool dad. Greg Landry is a renowned science teacher that has created a fantastic program for homeschool families just like yours.
I hope this gives you a good overview of why your family should utilize a homeschool chemistry lab online. College Prep Science is worth your serious consideration when it comes to choosing a chemistry curriculum. Check out all they have to offer here now!
VISIT COLLEGE PREP SCIENCE NOW
Choosing a Homeschool Chemistry Curriculum: Frequently Asked Questions
Do homeschoolers need chemistry labs for high school?
There’s no universal legal requirement for a lab component, but most college-bound students benefit from having one on their transcript. If your student plans to apply to college, a documented lab, whether virtual or hands on, strengthens their transcript and better prepares them for college-level science courses.
How do you do chemistry labs at home?
You have a few options. Virtual labs, like the ones from College Prep Science, let your student complete lab work entirely online. Hands on lab kits, like those from Home Science Tools or The Home Scientist, give your student physical supplies to work with at home. Many all-in-one chemistry curriculum options, like Apologia or Berean Builders, build simple hands on experiments right into the lessons using household materials. If you’re just looking for lower-pressure science experiments for kids to build interest first, start with some simple experiments before committing to a full lab program.
Are virtual labs accepted for college admissions?
Generally, yes. Virtual labs have become widely used, including in many public schools and colleges, and most admissions offices accept them as a legitimate lab component on a homeschool transcript. That said, policies can vary by school, so if your student has specific colleges in mind, it’s worth double-checking directly with those admissions offices.
How Do You Handle Chemistry Labs in Your Homeschool?
We’d love to hear from you! Do you use virtual labs, a hands on kit, or a mix of both? Drop a comment below and let us know what’s worked (or hasn’t worked) for your family.
