Mystery Science
Video-led, hands-on science lessons for kindergarten through 5th grade, built around kid questions like why your biceps bulge. A homeschool membership costs $199 through June 30, 2027.
What is Mystery Science?
Mystery Science is an online elementary science program for kindergarten through 5th grade, now part of Discovery Education. Every lesson, called a mystery, starts with a question kids actually ask: why do your biceps bulge, where do rivers go, how can you see the wind. A narrated video walks through the idea, pausing so you can talk it over, and then kids do a short investigation.
It was built for classroom teachers, and it shows. Lessons are tightly planned, mapped to the Next Generation Science Standards and easy to teach even if science isn't your strength.
How it works
Lessons are grouped into units of three to eight connected mysteries on one topic, such as weather or the human body. A typical lesson runs about an hour:
- Play the video, pausing at the built-in discussion points.
- Do the hands-on activity, usually with paper, markers, cups or other household items.
- Use the printable worksheet or assessment to wrap up.
The parent leads every lesson, so plan to sit with your child. Prep is mostly checking the supply list ahead of time. Homeschool accounts sort units into overlapping age ranges, which helps when you teach two or three kids together.
What it covers
Mystery Science covers life, Earth and space, and physical science, plus engineering, for each grade from kindergarten through 5th. Units carry names like Weather Watching, Invisible Forces and Human Machine, and a planning guide shows which units fit which grade and which standards they meet.
Each grade has five or six units. Free weekly mini-lessons add short, stand-alone videos for any K–5 child.
Who it's best for
Mystery Science is a great fit for families with young kids who love experiments, and for co-ops teaching one science class a week. For K–2 it can be your whole science program.
From 3rd grade on, one lesson a week is lighter than a full course, so many parents add library books or a second program. If you want a Christian worldview, a textbook, or independent work, look at other homeschool science options.
Pricing at a glance
For 2026–27, homeschool membership is $199 for science, or $259 with Mystery Writing, and access runs through June 30, 2027. Watch for sales in April and August. Supplies are household items, and Mystery Packs are optional.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
Curriculum like this is commonly an allowable expense in education savings account programs, but each program writes its own rules. Families in states such as Arizona and Florida should check the current expense list first. Read how scholarships and ESAs for homeschool families work, add Mystery Science to your wishlist, and apply once on Edulist to the programs you qualify for.
How it compares
Generation Genius is the main alternative: it adds math and runs through 8th grade, but leans more on video than investigation. Compare them side by side in Generation Genius vs Mystery Science. Science4Us is a gentler online option for K–2, and Real Science Odyssey is a print alternative with full labs. Families who want monthly building projects often add KiwiCo.
See the best homeschool science curriculum for a ranked list, or browse kindergarten science programs.
Who Mystery Science is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- K–2 families who want a complete, low-prep science program
- Kids who love experiments and asking why
- Parents who want to teach science together at the table
- Co-ops and small groups doing science once a week
Look elsewhere if
- Middle schoolers; content stops at 5th grade
- Families who need independent, self-paced work
- Parents who want a Christian worldview curriculum
Mystery Science pros and cons
Pros
- Each lesson starts from a question kids actually wonder about
- Hands-on activities use cheap household materials
- Very little parent prep beyond gathering supplies
- Planning guides map lessons to grades and to the Next Generation Science Standards
- Free mini-lessons let you try the style first
Cons
- Homeschool price rose sharply to $199 for 2026–27
- Only covers K–5
- Activities are written for classroom pairs or groups, so some need adapting
- Too light on its own as a full curriculum past 2nd grade
What’s included
- Units of connected lessons, each framed as a question or mystery
- Narrated videos that pause for discussion and activities
- Hands-on activities with simple household supplies
- Printable worksheets, answer keys and assessments
- Free 5-minute mini-lessons for K–5
How much does Mystery Science cost?
Mystery Science sells memberships that run to a fixed end date rather than rolling subscriptions. For the 2026–27 year, a homeschool membership is $199 for Mystery Science, $149 for Mystery Writing, or $259 for both, with access through June 30, 2027. School memberships list at $2,199 for science only. Individual classroom plans are no longer sold; teachers get access through a school or district membership.
| Plan | Price | Billed | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homeschool, Mystery Science | $199/yr | Yearly | $16.58/mo |
| Homeschool, Mystery Writing | $149/yr | Yearly | $12.42/mo |
| Homeschool, Science + Writing bundle | $259/yr | Yearly | $21.58/mo |
| School, Science only (list) | $2,199/yr | Yearly | $183.25/mo |
Free trial: Schools and new teachers can get a free trial through June 30, 2027. Homeschool trial terms vary, so check the pricing page when you sign up.
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
Future opening updates
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View wishlistWhat parents say
A summary of public parent feedback we read on forums, app stores and review sites. It is not a set of Edulist family reviews.
Homeschool reviewers praise Mystery Science for engaging, discovery-based lessons that are easy for parents to teach. The recurring concerns are rising homeschool prices over the years and that it works best as a full curriculum only in the early grades.
Common praise
- Open-and-go, apart from gathering supplies
- Engaging question-driven videos
- Mix of video, hands-on work and discussion
Common complaints
- Homeschool pricing has climbed from earlier years
- Not enough content alone for older elementary
- Classroom-style activities need adapting for one child
Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com · mystery science · forums.welltrainedmind.com · 672952 mystery science subscription cost
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Mystery Science FAQs
How much is Mystery Science for homeschool?
For 2026–27, a homeschool membership costs $199 for Mystery Science, $149 for Mystery Writing, or $259 for both. Access lasts through June 30, 2027. Mystery Science also runs homeschool sales in April and August.
Is Mystery Science free?
Parts of it are. Weekly 5-minute mini-lessons are free on the website and YouTube. The full units, activities and assessments need a membership, and schools can get a free trial through June 30, 2027.
Who owns Mystery Science?
Mystery Science is part of Discovery Education, which also makes Mystery Writing. It was co-founded in 2013 by Doug Peltz, known as Mystery Doug, and Keith Schacht. Discovery Education bought it in 2020.
What grades does Mystery Science cover?
Kindergarten through 5th grade. Homeschool accounts group units by overlapping age ranges, such as 5–7 and 9–12, so siblings can share lessons.
Is Mystery Science a complete curriculum?
For K–2, most families find it enough on its own. From 3rd grade up, reviewers suggest adding reading, extra lessons or a second program, since one lesson a week covers less than a full science course.
Is Mystery Science secular?
Yes. It follows mainstream science standards with no religious content. Christian families who want a faith-based approach often choose a program like Apologia or Berean Builders instead.
Can I pay for Mystery Science with ESA funds?
Often, if your program allows curriculum purchases, but each program decides. Check your state's expense rules and remember the membership ends June 30.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources: