Thy Ancient Science Experience

In the science component of Thy Ancient Experience, your children will encounter the question, “What is science?” Together we will take a close look at some of the very earliest natural philosophers and the ways they attempted to understand and describe the world around them. Did they do a good job? Did they adequately describe how the world behaves and why? Together, we will likely be surprised by how much they comprehended and how they paved the way for us to follow suit, inspiring us to learn to love and study the world we live in. 

As we explore the ancient timeline together, we will make real-life connections with a vast array of scientific disciplines including astronomy, chemistry, engineering, geology, mathematics, physics, and biology. Students will have an opportunity to experiment with and even make items like compasses, paper, tools, models of boats, clocks, kites, cameras, counter weights and water wheels, just to name a few! While we don’t require any textbooks for this course, below is a list of suggested books to enjoy with your family. These will be referenced periodically throughout the year with suggested reading excerpts. 

Suggested Texts (not required)

Any Age:

Ancient Science: 40 Time-Traveling, World-Exploring, History-Making Activities for Kids by Jim Weiss

Archimedes and the Door to Science by Jeanne Bendick

Science Year by Year: A Visual History, From Stone Tools to Space Travel

by DK and Smithsonian

Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World by Julia Rothman

The Way Science Works by DK Publishing

The Usborne Science Encyclopedia

The Usborne Complete Book of the Human Body

DKfindout! Science

History of Science Timeline by Rea Berg (bfbooks.com)

5th Grade & Up:

The Story of Science: Aristotle Leads the Way by Joy Hakim

Student’s Quest Guide: Aristotle Leads the Way by Johns Hopkins University

Timelines of Science: The Ultimate Visual Guide to the Discoveries That Shaped the World by DK and Smithsonian