If you’re looking for engaging, middle school science, I think you will love The Mystery of Science by Bright Ideas Press! Much like The Mystery of History, the softcover student reader includes conversational lessons with beautiful photographs. Each lesson starts with a goal and is centered around achieving that goal. Lessons are kept short, 4-6 pages, that include helpful sidebars with memory verses, word origins, vocabulary words, and a creation corner. The Student Reader includes a code to download a copy of the lab manual, which has writing assignments, research opportunities, labs, review, crossword puzzles, and quizzes. It also includes a suggested 4-day schedule and lab supply list with mostly easy to find items, although a few science-specific items are needed. A printed Lab Manual is also available separately if you prefer not to print the pages.
Students will also need various sketching tools for most lessons, including pencils, colored pencils, a charcoal pencil, markers, etc. The suggested lesson schedule typically includes two days of reading the lesson, followed by lab manual (written) activities, a lab activity day, and concludes with a research and review day. The Mystery of Science courses will take 2-3 hours each week to complete but remains flexible for your needs. Biology is currently available, with Physics expected Summer 2025.