The Homeschool Minute – March 3, 2021

STEM Electives and Your Student’s Career

March 3, 2021

Hey Mama

Gena Suarez, Publisher of TOS

Turning the Ordinary into the Extraordinary

Hey Mama,

Your homeschool and mine may be ordinary or average, but as Deborah Wuehler, our Senior Editor says, “We may be merely ordinary people, but we have an extraordinary God. He can take your ordinary child and make him or her an extraordinary child, student, citizen, and servant of the Most High.” Read more about “The Ordinary Homeschooler” in her article here. I love our wise and kind Deborah.

As you prepare your children to become responsible adults, help them choose a career path (and sometimes that’s being a Mom or Dad—like you), and launch them into this upside-down world. Remember, it is YOU carrying the next generation. How? Through your instruction, modeling of Christ’s heart, and praying fervently for your children and future grands.

I know, Mama, you are in the trenches, day after day, serving your family and ultimately serving the Lord, and I know it is TIRING and can get monotonous and sometimes even dark.

Yet when my heart and spirit are low, I can only think of One to run to . . . the One Who holds the keys to my salvation . . . the One Who loves my heart and holds my head in His hands . . . the One Who will never leave me or forsake me.

You can turn to Him, too, as you prepare this future generation. Need encouragement that you’ve got this? Turn to the pages of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine.

Parenting Future Moms and Dads by Dana Williams

Getting a Head Start with STEM by Rebecca Wilson

How to Teach Science the Right Way: What Your Child Needs for a Future Technical Career by Peter T. Miller

And remember, Mama. . .

You are doing the same things today that you did yesterday and the day before. Tirelessly you serve, and you do it sometimes (always?) without any fanfare or praise. But Mama, your Father notices it all.

Believe it or not, as you faithfully walk this road, your day is coming. Proverbs 31 says that your children will rise up and call you blessed. They are watching you and while you are not perfect—nor do you claim to be—God is working on their hearts, too. Don’t forget: He has a plan for them as well.

Those kids see your loving hands (hands that will never leave them), and this will culminate in FRUIT they cannot deny later. Right now, they are little monkeys who are so clueless about what is around them or how their actions impact your household and others. But that’s okay. They will learn by hearing God’s Word and watching you model Truth. Ultimately, it is the Lord Who will show them, anyway.

You are called to just walk with them, speak the truth plainly, LOVE them dearly, and teach them to read and understand God’s Word so they have those seeds planted for later. God waters it, and what He waters . . . grows!

Our Great God waters you, too, Mama. Even now He is working His good plans in you, and as you serve your family, He will continue to show you more about Him. Endure joyfully, Mama! Continue on. This life is actually going somewhere and your greatest JOY is coming. But as for today, His hand is on your head.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

– gena

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STEM for All Ages!

It is easy to view math and science as “one and done” type subjects. But so many kids have strong desires to go deeper in these areas. STEM education takes advantage of that desire and gives opportunities to see how these studies overlap. This is important because in real life, they will likely use these disciplines in their chosen careers in many overlapping ways.

How can you get started with STEM?

With your younger kids, it is about exploring and doing, from building catapults to mapping adventures. They don’t need to know why things happen. They can just enjoy the discovery! Get out the hammer and nails and some wood (engineering and construction). Be brave and turn them loose in the kitchen (chemistry and math). Take apart an old radio (electronics). Create paper airplanes (physics and math). Dig for fossils (paleontology). Volunteer with a vet (animal science). Just let them DO things!

Your older kids will likely study traditional upper-level math and science courses. To go deeper with STEM studies, they could dig into some of these areas:

• Chemistry – pharmaceuticals, forensic science
• Biology – anatomy, physiology, environmental science
• Physics – robotics, aeronautics
• Computers – coding, design
• Earth Science – gemology, paleontology, mining

Of course, this list is not exhaustive. But perhaps it can get the creative ideas flowing for you and your family!

Patrick Nurre, Northwest Treasures, Geology – You can get a jump on some great STEM subjects at Northwest Treasures. We create geology kits and curricula for grades PreK-12, with a Biblical perspective. Try out our Mining and Geology of the Old West, Gems and Crystals, or Geology and Archaeology. But this is just the beginning! We have a lot of great ideas to encourage your student, including studies on volcanoes, earthquakes, dinosaurs, earth science, state exploring kits, and so much more!

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Sherri Seligson

A STEM Hack to Boost Your Students’ Careers (even if they are not going into science!)

Many students struggle with getting enough required science courses for high school. As parents, we want to make sure we’re preparing them well for whatever God has for them in the future. Exposure to the sciences is important because even if they don’t go into a science career, they can see God’s amazing creative hand in His world. A great hack to meet these needs is to have your student do an exploratory internship. It’s easy to do, engaging, educational, and fun!

Sherri Seligson is a 21-year homeschool veteran and marine biologist. She has authored Apologia’s General Science and Marine Biology courses as well as the instructional videos for all upper level sciences. An international conference speaker, Sherri encourages moms and teaches families the value of studying God’s Creation. Connect with her on social media and at sherriseligson.com.

Your students can learn computer science with CompuScholar’s homeschool-friendly curriculum. We teach computer skills, coding, web design, game design, and more. No parent expertise needed! 

Lee Binz

Preparing Your Homeschooler for a STEM Career

This world needs scientists of character and integrity, and that starts with STEM classes in school. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. While all homeschoolers might cover these topics to some degree, others focus on preparing students for STEM careers. My son has a degree in Electrical Engineering and a Masters in Computer Science. Let me explain how to prepare a homeschool student for a STEM career. 

STEM-focused education requires a well-rounded education. 

To prepare for a career in STEM, parents need to teach all the core subjects. Well-rounded students will have a broad array of skills so they can think critically and make sound decisions. They must understand STEM and be able to clearly communicate with others. Yearly classes in English, math, social studies, and science are the cornerstone. Add classes in foreign language to increase cultural understanding, PE for fitness, and the fine arts to encourage creative thinking.  

Include STEM electives.  

Homeschoolers have an unlimited supply of electives that are limited only by the interests of their children. The source of electives is delight-directed learning, which makes STEM education easier for you and more fun for your student. Students can learn robotics, computer languages, advanced science or math . . . all at their own pace. They can join groups that encourage STEM engagement. The parent is the project manager, responsible for facilitating learning activities and providing opportunities.

Avoid overusing technology. 

It’s tempting to think STEM students should do as much as possible online. On the contrary, that can be an impediment to STEM careers. Exclusively learning online is not effective. Parents need to be judicious, carefully limiting screen time. Some online learning may be necessary, but wise parents limit screens when possible. Learn more in my free class on Technology Boundaries for Children and Teens. 

Put STEM electives on the transcript. 

You are in charge of writing a professional and official homeschool transcript for your student. Learn how to put STEM fun on the transcript you create. Check out this free e-book to help you convert natural learning into high school credit:  How to Put Fabulous Fun on Your Homeschool Transcript.

Become more self-reliant in uncertain times. Attend the Family Wellness Conference, held March 4-5! With expert speakers in fitness, nutrition, herbs, oils, and more, equip yourself and your family with strategies for better health. Get on the waitlist for tickets and learn more at https://julienaturally.com/family-wellness-conference/

Jodi Riddle

Pillar of Faith: Building More than a Schedule

“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises” 2 Peter 1:3-4a.

Building an academic schedule with all the extras is important, but building a life in Christ is a necessary part of a Christian’s life. If you continue on in 2 Peter, the verses tell us that it starts with faith. But it can’t stop there. 

We are not to replace faith but to add to it. Verses 5-7 tell us to add to faith: virtue,  knowledge,  temperance,  patience,  godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity.  Verse 8 explains that if these things are in us, we can be productive and useful.  These are qualities that are hard to obtain in and of ourselves. We need faith as a foundation and then a close walk with Him to add what He wants us to add. 

We can add many things in our academia that may give us a great variety of educational opportunities. However, building on our faith will give us a closer walk with Him now and everlasting benefits. 

 Start training to be a midwife while in high school!
If you feel you have a calling to Midwifery, please contact us @ midwifery4him@gmail.com. www.christianheritagemidwifery.org

The Baptist College of Florida is training the next greatest generation of Christian Leaders! Dual-Enrolled, Undergraduate & Graduate programs. www.baptistcollege.edu.

Look What’s Happening!

The Christian Heritage Home Educators of Washington is hosting the 2021 More Than Conquerors Digital Homeschool Conference March 19–20. Register online or contact Gina Booy at gina.b@christianheritagewa.orgfor more information.

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Congratulations to Susanna Denninger from Charlotte, NC, who won our January giveaway!

Contest Corner

for the month of March

The Ark, the Reed, and the Fire Cloud (Amazing Tales of Max & Liz)

Would you like to have experienced the Biblical Flood or at least been a part of gathering the animals two by two? In the 432-page book, The Ark, the Reed, and the Fire Cloud (Amazing Tales of Max & Liz) by Jenny L. Cote, you can do just that. This hefty softcover book is the first in the Biblically based series The Amazing Tales of Max and Liz from AMG Publishers and is a mix of Biblical truths, fun imagination, and a plethora of adventure. Main characters Max and Liz, who just happen to be a small but fierce dog from Scotland and a sleek, proper cat from France, are joined by new friends as they journey from their homes to meet and assist Noah and his family in loading the ark, enduring the almost year-long journey, and repopulating the Earth.  Led from continent to continent following the Voice, the animals are tested in their strength, determination, and faith.

As a Christian homeschool family, we thoroughly enjoyed this book, a solid mixture of Biblical truth and imaginative whimsy. Author Cote catches the reader’s attention and draws them into the story with her attention to detail and her use of authentic accents and speech for each character.

Go to the contest page of our site where you can ENTER TO WIN The Ark, the Reed, & the Firecloud.

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