Rainbow Science

by Sharon
(Leavenworth, Kansas)

Product: Rainbow Science
Subject: physical science and biology
Levels Used: junior high
Dates Used: May 2009-

Likes: I found the student book in a pile of free books and was instantly drawn to it. From that first sighting, I knew I wanted to check out the program at our curriculum fair.

The photos and the book layout are attractive and well-designed. I mostly appreciated the explanations in the student text. The author makes no bones about teaching science from a biblical point of view; I LOVE that! He also seems to understand what will help make science real to a budding teenager.

The child is forced to think out solutions and properly use the scientific method. The lab kit is complete; I could have put it together myself, but having it all together meant nothing got lost; there is no savings in buying things separately and then not being able to find them when the time comes to use them. It is easy to find things that are well-contained in a nice box.

The lab manual is a good accompaniment to the program. My boys, ages 15 and 13, use this program together and are gleaning much from that experience.

It is a 2-year program and will easily cover early high school credit needs as well as the junior high level. Some may think that the cost is high, but I think it is in keeping with the scope of this program. We are, after all, using it for two years and then passing it on to two more children. We will need to only purchase new lab books and some chemicals at that point. I believe that we could likely get those from different suppliers later and put them into the organized box.

It is nice to have it all in one case. The bottom line is that the program teaches science the way I would want it taught (an attractive, deeply interesting, Christian perspective with a method that causes the child to think for himself).

Dislikes: We had some trouble getting what we ordered: the printer for their company was very slow in sending them what they needed to complete orders, and we were likewise forced to wait a long time to finally get our supplies. Hopefully, this is not a regular occurrence.

Some may think that the cost is high. I think it is in keeping with the scope of this program. We are, after all, using it for two years and then passing it on to two more children.