Science Shepherd
Video-taught Christian science courses by Dr. Scott Hardin, from Introductory Science for elementary to Life Science, Chemistry, Physics and a CLEP-ready high school Biology. Bundles run about $74–$220 at regular price.
What is Science Shepherd?
Science Shepherd is a Christian homeschool science program built around video teaching. Dr. Scott Hardin, a homeschooling father with scientific and medical training, wrote the content and teaches the lessons on screen. It is published by Ohana Life Press.
The core courses cover middle and high school, from Life Science through Biology, and the line now reaches down to elementary with Introductory Science and to toddlers with Little Learners board books.
How it works
Most courses combine four pieces:
- Video lessons streamed online, with lifetime access that siblings can share. DVDs are also available.
- A textbook for reading, except in Astronomy, which is video only.
- A workbook of topic questions, plus interactive online quizzes.
- An answer key and parent companion, tests, and an optional lab manual.
Students watch a short session, read, then answer workbook questions. Parents mostly check answers and grade tests. The Topic Questions also let a parent review material without reading the whole book.
What it covers
| Course | Grades | Video | Labs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introductory Science | Elementary | Yes | See publisher |
| Astronomy Level A / B | 5–7 / 7–9 | 7+ / 11+ hours | Optional activities |
| Life Science | 6–10 | 20+ hours | 25 activities |
| Fundamentals of Chemistry | 7–10 | 9+ hours | 18 activities |
| Fundamentals of Physics | 8–10 | 10+ hours | 19 activities |
| Biology | 9–12 | 40+ hours | 20 labs with dissections |
Earth Science, Physical Science and Anatomy & Physiology round out the line.
Who it's best for
Science Shepherd suits independent, video-friendly teens and Christian families who want creation science presented plainly. Strong readers do best; reviewers measure the texts at about a 10th to 11th grade reading level.
If you want a secular or more neutral approach, look at secular homeschool curriculum. For college-prep chemistry or physics, a full lab course may fit better. Browse high school science options.
Pricing at a glance
As of October 2026, elementary bundles list at $74 and complete middle school bundles at $202.50 to $220 depending on print or digital books, with sales around 10% off. Video access is lifetime and shareable. Discounts exist for military families, missionaries, co-ops and newsletter sign-ups.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
Homeschool curriculum and online courses are commonly allowable ESA expenses in states such as Arizona and Florida, but each program sets its own rules, including on faith-based materials. Read how scholarships and ESAs for homeschool families work, save Science Shepherd to your wishlist, and apply once on Edulist.
How it compares
Apologia is the most common comparison: also Christian, more text-driven, with college-prep chemistry and physics. Berean Builders by Dr. Jay Wile ties science to history and is math-gated at the high school level. Noeo Science uses living books and kits for younger grades. For a secular alternative, see Real Science Odyssey.
See the best homeschool science curriculum for ranked picks.
Who Science Shepherd is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Independent middle and high schoolers who learn well from video
- Christian families who want a clearly creationist perspective
- Strong readers ready for a challenging course
- Families with several kids; the streaming subscription can be shared
Look elsewhere if
- Secular families or those who want neutral treatment of origins
- Students who struggle with reading; texts read at a 10th–11th grade level
- Teens who need college-prep Chemistry or Physics; those courses are introductory
Science Shepherd pros and cons
Pros
- Video teaching means parents don't need a science background
- Lifetime streaming access shared by siblings
- More challenging than most courses at the same grade
- Biology includes lab videos and prepares for CLEP
- Little parent involvement beyond checking answers
Cons
- Dense textbooks at about a 10th–11th grade reading level
- Chemistry and Physics skip some standard high school topics
- Strong anti-evolution messaging on the publisher's site
- Labs need a microscope for Life Science and Biology
What’s included
- Video lessons by Dr. Scott Hardin, streamed with a lifetime subscription siblings can share
- Textbook, workbook, answer key with parent companion, and tests
- Optional lab manuals; Biology includes lab videos and dissections
- Interactive online quizzes
- Find Your Course quiz for placement
- Free Genesis Worldview course and lecture downloads
Science Shepherd levels
Science Shepherd offers a Find Your Course quiz and a Which course is right for me guide on its site that recommend a course progression by grade and readiness.
Official Science Shepherd placement test ↗How much does Science Shepherd cost?
Science Shepherd sells each course as a bundle with lifetime streaming video. As of October 2026 regular prices are $74 for Introductory, Earth, Physical Science and Astronomy bundles, $87 for Anatomy & Physiology, $200 for the Biology video course, and $202.50 for the Life Science, Chemistry and Physics complete bundles with digital books ($220 for Life Science with print books, more with DVDs). Sale prices about 10% lower were showing.
| Plan | Price | Billed | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introductory Science Bundle (regular) | $74 | One-time | — |
| Earth Science or Physical Science Bundle (regular) | $74 | One-time | — |
| Life Science Complete Bundle, streaming + digital books (regular) | $202.50 | One-time | — |
| Life Science Complete Bundle, streaming + print (regular) | $220 | One-time | — |
| Biology Video Course (regular) | $200 | One-time | — |
Free trial: Free previews of courses are available through Try for Free.
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
Future opening updates
Applications are not open on Edulist. Saving a product does not subscribe you or establish eligibility. Visit your wishlist to opt in for updates.
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.
Reviewers praise Science Shepherd's rigor, independence and solid lab options, and it is one of Cathy Duffy's 103 Top Picks. The main cautions are dense textbooks for weaker readers and introductory-level chemistry and physics.
Common praise
- Built for independent study
- Challenging content
- Easy parent oversight
Common complaints
- Dense pages and small captions
- Hard for weak readers
- Chemistry and Physics aren't college prep
Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com · science shepherd courses for middle school through high scho
Science Shepherd family reviews
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Science Shepherd FAQs
What grades does Science Shepherd cover?
It offers Introductory Science for elementary, Astronomy Level A for grades 5–7 and Level B for 7–9, Life Science for grades 6–10, Fundamentals of Chemistry for 7–10, Fundamentals of Physics for 8–10 and Biology for 9–12, plus Earth Science, Physical Science and Anatomy & Physiology.
How much does Science Shepherd cost?
As of October 2026, elementary and Earth or Physical Science bundles list at $74, and the Life Science, Chemistry and Physics complete bundles list at $202.50 with digital books, or $220 for Life Science with print. Biology's video course is $200. Sales of about 10% are common.
Can Science Shepherd Biology prepare for CLEP?
Cathy Duffy's review says the Biology course also prepares students for the CLEP Biology exam. It includes 40+ hours of video, lab videos and a lab manual with dissections.
Is Science Shepherd young earth creationist?
Yes. The publisher's site states that the data fit creation as described in Genesis 1 and describes evolution as Satan's most powerful tool. Outside the origins chapters, reviewers say the science is presented objectively.
Can siblings share Science Shepherd?
Yes. Video streaming comes with a lifetime subscription that siblings can share. Each student still needs a consumable workbook where one is used.
Is there a Science Shepherd placement test?
The site has a Find Your Course quiz and a guide that recommends a course progression. Use it alongside your child's reading level, since the texts are demanding.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources: