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I homeschool and my son needed chemistry. Yikes! The one subject in school I never understood myself. I looked everywhere for a curriculum that might cover “the top 10 things you need to know about chemistry,” and I was having no luck. I attended the homeschool expo in Atlanta and I placed finding a chemistry curriculum at the top of my agenda. When I saw Dr Marguiles’ seminar “you can learn chemistry in 30 minutes,” I thought if he can teach me chemistry, he can teach anyone. It was amazing! I left the seminar having an understanding of the periodic table that I’ve never had before. In less than an hour I had a basic understanding of chemistry.  My son and I went through the online lessons in 1 semester. Some lessons took 2 days and some took 5-6 days to complete. Dr Marguiles begins most lessons with an interesting dilemma. For example, Who will live longer: The man fully clothed thrown into above freezing water or the man completely naked left outside in below freezing temperatures? It makes what he’s teaching relevant,  compared to memorizing a lot of vocabulary and terms (which is what I had in high school.) In addition to plenty of visuals, charts, and some math, each lesson includes a test of mastery. Dr Marguiles stressed in his seminar that he desires everyone to see the world at a molecular level. I can attest that he has accomplished that for me. When I cook an egg and it turns white I recognize I am witnessing a protein chain unfold. When my daughter told me someone was testing a vaccine for Ebola that included silver, I instantly pictured silver on the periodic table and could understand how it might be used based on its many rings of power and number of electrons. In the end, my son got an A, and I feel empowered just knowing I CAN understand chemistry.
Vikki Walters

We have used Fascinating Education for three courses so far and are signed up for our fourth, we love it. My son finds the lectures to be engaging and he doesn’t get bored. The lessons are great.
Regina Bishop

Thank you so very much!  I really love this website.  I was a Chemistry minor in college,although there’s a lot I don’t  remember, and there are definitely things that  must be newer science, or at least more detailed, as I am learning things along with my sons!  Thanks SO much to Dr. Margulies for this gift to our children!  It is so simple and complete…
Alane Wiegman

This is an extremely professional product.  It is very well thought out and logical.  The lessons are easy to follow and explain complex subjects with ease.
K. Davies

We have been very happy with Fascinating-Education Chemistry. I have a reluctant student, yet he claims this course is as clear and detailed as Teaching Textbooks which we have used for years. He is doing well with this, and is interested enough to do more than one unit per day!
Virginia Harlow

I have looked at your teaching material, and it seems perfect for deepening our understanding and appreciation of science. I wish I’d been given these sorts of clear explanations at school. Thank you so much for making your expertise available; it’s like finding treasure!
Nicole

Our daughter found the Fascinating Biology interesting and informative. We were very pleased with the product. She was able to work at her speed and level, could review as needed, and found it easy to understand, without being simplistic. We give it “two thumbs up!”. I felt it was a thorough curriculum and was very satisfied.
Danielle P.

I did a google search for “homeschool science curriculum.”  I might have googled “secular homeschool science curriculum.”  There was a homeschool website with a review.  I wish I could tell you the name of that site, but it was awhile back over the summer.  I had never heard of Fascinating Education before.  I had trouble finding a lot about it in terms of other reviews.

I ended up purchasing a different program for this year that was quite expensive.  We were trying so hard to stick with it because of the cost, but both kids (14 and 17) were zoned out every time I brought it out.

We finally gave up on the program I purchased and I wanted to get them started on something.  I went back and googled the name again, found the Fascinating Education site, and made my purchase.

We all like this program for the simplicity compared with what we had been doing.  I like that it is on the computer vs. tons of reading/writing.  One of the kids has dysgraphia and the other struggles with reading.  I can supplement materials as needed.  This just really works out a lot better for us.

Allison N

This is the perfect science program for a visual learner; a relief from regular science textbooks that usually give one picture with a pages of print. We’ve tried books-on-tape and other alternatives for science and have had little success until now.The content is set up for optimal cognitive learning for this age group. I appreciate this because my reading-challenged child can learn readily from this program as his siblings.The pictures are fun and sometimes goofy – nothing offensive or slick. The visual cues “stick” in the memory so much better than traditional learning methods. I mentioned one character the other day and all three kids immediately knew what I was talking about, which launched us into a conversation. Even though I am not actively teaching the content, I am facilitating learning with the aide of this program.  The content is excellent. I’m in the medical field so I’m familiar with biology but I didn’t learn some this until college. My kids are getting a head start! We’ve never used a formal science study before. This program has been a Godsend because it gives the technical information in a way kids can readily understand and not overwhelm. I enjoy how the program goes from details to the “big picture” and connects the facts to everything learned in the particular lesson. It makes learning interesting and intriguing. I’m thankful the program discusses various theories and philosophies without excluding or giving too much attention to one particular school of thought (i.e. evolution, big bang, etc.) That launched new conversation and awareness in our homeschool which I could direct from what we personally believe and what the secular world pushes as the only option. We’ve already purchased the next in program in the series. I don’t expect my 10 year old to understand or retain everything she is learning but it has been an excellent program for the older children and all of them are passing the unit tests with little difficulty. The children are more relaxed and comfortable tackling science-related issues now.  This has been one the children’s first experiences with tests. I’m glad they are learning how to pay attention to the content (and not just what they are interested in). They are not learning just random facts but crucial facts that relate to the world around them.”
Mandy

My son is absolutely loving the Fascinating Biology class we reviewed as a part of the Homeschool Review Crew last year

I was cooking dinner this evening when I heard him drop his headset with a clatter on the table and holler, “Mom! Come quick so I can tell you about Calico cats and sex linked genes!” These lessons are so very wonderful! Thank You again!!!

We love this course so much and I am happy to help out in any way I can.

In fact, over Christmas break, we read the book you all sent by Dr. Margulies about the human body. It was so fantastic that I bought a copy for a friend and then at my son’s urging we hunted down and purchased the book Dr. Margulies wrote on law. He is our favorite author for non-fiction and science, right behind Richard Feynman!

K West

Last year, my oldest boy wanted a bit more structured learning about biology and I found Fascinating Education on the Homeschool Buyers Co-op. It was great to get a sense of the curriculum by trying out a lesson. It was perfect for my son. He liked it and learned so much from it, he asked me to do another, Chemistry. He is doing that one right now. I’m glad I found Fascinating Education.
Kelly Jo Murphy

Finding a good science program has to be one of the hardest subjects for homeschoolers to find. Upon reviewing Fascinating Education Chemistry my kids really liked the layout and style of teaching. Some reviews I have read expressed concern that there wasn’t enough material however I disagree. I just finished going through the entire program, assigning  and breaking up lessons for the entire year. This course seems to me to be very thorough. It’s meant to be mastered not sped through. There are some labs, we may add some of our own. One thing I especially like is the conversational tone of the narrator and how he anticipates questions the reader will have, explaining science in a thorough but simple manner. That in of its self is gold to me. We have seen too many programs that are overwhelming because of their layout or distracting because the language is too complicated. I feel the tougher subjects should be explained simply. When that happens there is retention and learning flourishes. We’re excited to start
Jacky Parrales

Fascinating Science is a perfect match for our needs. We have used Chemistry and Biology with two high schoolers and both have caught concepts well. Since everything is jam-packed into 20 lessons (or less), we supplement with projects and other resources to round out a year of science. I really like that every lesson has a quiz. My kids print that and and it becomes their record of online work.
Michelle A.

My son is studying Chemistry this year with Fascinating Education. Since he has some processing disorders that affect his reading comprehension, the format of audio lecture coupled with visuals is perfect for him. He likes this class, and is retaining the information that he learns. This is my 7th time of teaching chemistry and I find the information to be concise, clear, and complete. I will use Fascinating Education again next year for physics, and have shared/will share this information with my friends!
DeLena J

I was so incredibly relieved and excited when I discovered the Fascinating Education high-school science curriculum several years ago. We have used and are using all three of Fascinating Education’s science courses–biology, chemistry, and physics–for our five home-schooled children. The courses have provided an excellent foundation for two of our sons’ college-level science courses. FE’s lectures are thorough and organized, and the post-lecture quizzes have helped us hold our children accountable for retaining (actually learning) information. My husband is a university professor in the sciences and is also impressed with the quality of FE’s courses. I recommend FE for every family home-schooling through high school.
D. C. Harris

 I purchased Fascinating Chemistry for my science-loving 3rd grader, and he loves it! The narrator (a neurologist) has such a warm and pleasant voice to listen to, and his presentations are thorough, easy-to-understand, and engaging. I highly recommend the program!

Amy P.

Our son Max just started college.  He excitedly told me the other day that he understands everything his biology professor is talking about because his Fascinating Education biology class was so good! Further, Max is our second son in college.  Our eldest son, Joe, took biology and chemistry in college after using Fascinating Education and ACED all of his lab assignments.  His professors told him he was the most conscientious and attention-to-detail student in their classes.
Dawn

I am very impressed with the fast customer support and feedback. I sent them questions on the courses and received an immediate response that was not only helpful but also economical. They have a solid product.
Susan

Want more reviews?  Check out our 2017 reviews from The Old Schoolhouse Review Crew.

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Blog Reviews from The Review Crew

My daughter, a homeschooled high school sophomore, has been joyously working through the Intro to Chemistry course. She eagerly seeks me out to share what she’s learned for the day. The course has restored her love of science! So much so, that she has decided to take AP Chemistry instead of AP Biology next year.

She’ll probably finish the intro course sooner than later since she is excited to do the Pre-course. Knowing my daughter, she may want to do the full Chemistry course over the summer 😉

I have ten children. Five of whom I am currently homeschooling, three have graduated, and two are waiting in the wings. I’ve seen your program throughout the years but never had a science-oriented student until now and a few more to follow.

Janel

My 14 year old son is both gifted and dyslexic.  He is extremely interested in science.  I have searched for years for a good audiovisual science program for him.  I was so happy to find yours.  I am not sure if you are actively marketing the product to dyslexics and other folks with print disabilities or not.  I think you would do very well within that market.  It is hard to find anything. That being said, I do think it is helpful to have the print version to follow along with and love that y’all post it on the site.
Nina

Just wanted to let you know how much Alex, my 8 year old son is enjoying the new chemistry program. He is watching the video during the week and taking the quiz on the weekend. I failed chemistry once at the university and barely squeaked by with a C when I took it again. I would have learned a lot more and would have been successful with your program. Alex and I look forward to working through chemistry during the next 6 months and then biology and physics. Please feel free to include my thoughts for the benefit of those who are considering your program. Because of your program, Alex will be prepared to take a chemistry course at our home school educators resource center next year. I even expect he’ll be one of the brightest, because he will be one of the best prepared.
Russ Person

My 12 year old son seems to be enjoying the videos very much and believes he’s learning a lot. This is one of the subjects he does on his own, without prodding from me. It’s hard to find a science program that can capture a student’s interest and I think this program does that.

Shari Rosenman

This is an incredible curriculum. What a joy to have such solid science taught so conceptually and practically (with a dose of humor to boot).
Jen S.

We purchased the Chemistry course for my 16-yr-old daughter, who is a visual learner. Although she is stronger in language than math/science, she really likes the program! The succinct explanations combined with the slides help her understand AND remember the material covered. We will definitely continue to use this program and look forward to my younger son trying it out next year!
Gayla W.

My son has not complained once about using this, which is high praise for him. He’s learned quite a bit and the price is VERY reasonable. We have told several people about it.
S. Martin

Product review by Debra Brinkman, Assistant to the Product Reviews Director, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, 2013 –

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The Old Schoolhouse® Product & Curriculum Reviews

Want more reviews?  Check out our 2015 reviews from The Old Schoolhouse Review Crew.

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Blog Reviews from The Review Crew

Debra Yourick, M.D., Associate Director for Research and Marketing Policy Development and Co-Director of Student Programs at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research

Peter Kline, Noted Educator and Founder of the Thornton Friend’s School, Author of “”Why America’s Children Can’t Think”

Sheldon Margulies, M.D.