Do you love combining History and Science?
The following are resources I've found for integrating history with Science. I've marked it by free and paid resources so you can easily tell those apart. I'd love more suggestions to add to this list, so if you know of anything you think belongs here, please leave a comment about it! Enjoy!
KEY
All resources will have one of the following graphics next to it. Note that books are classified as a "paid resource" even though many can be borrowed free at your local library, and resources are classified as free even if they require free registration or subscription. Experiments requiring supplies are only counted as "paid" if the supplies are part of a purchased kit.
Free Resource
Various/Mixed Eras
Full Curriculum
Science Through History by Jay WileA Christian hands-on, multilevel elementary (K-6th) science series that introduces scientific concepts using history as its guide. Each lesson is built around an activity or experiment. In addition, there are three levels of review for each lesson, so the parent/teacher can choose the depth at which each student is expected to grasp the material. Individual levels are found here and contain more info about the program. There are guides here on how to synchronize this curriculum with various popular history curriculum.
The Story of Science by Joy HakimCurriculum in several book sets for ages 12 and up. (A secular curriculum). It has beautiful writing really does weave the story of how science and scientists affected history. While there is a very few coordinated "hands on" experiments and activities in the book, more time is spent on the history of science than explaining the science itself. However, while we only used the book (the first one), I understand that there is a teacher's guide that has science experiments and activities, as well as student workbooks.
Exploring the World of Science Series by John Hudson TinerThis curriculum for middle and high school students integrates science and history. In stead of going chronologically through history, these books are organized by science topics (both the whole books and chapters in the book). The link above will take you to the source that has the best descriptions of the books, as well as sample pages, but I found that Christian Books had better prices (and offered digital versions as well).
Survey of Science History and ConceptsChristian curriculum for multiple ages* which covers the history of science. These books are organized by scientific topic (Biology, Chemistry, Mathmatics, and Physics) in stead of chronologically. Inside the book the chapters are also based off scientific topic. Each chapter in the books covers one topic (such as metals, fungi, etc.) and addresses scientific discoveries through history on that topic semi-chronologically. Though the website says the books are high school level, inside the intro to the books themselves it says it is intended to be able to be used with all levels of school age children (elementary with parental help, middle school independently, and for review in high school). The writing level seems aimed at late elementary to middle school. There does not seem to be experiments or activities included, other than end of chapter questions. Tests, quizzes, and worksheets come separately in the Teacher guide (bought separately).
Other Multi-Era Resources
100 Scientists Who Made History in Chronological Order Book (which is not free)m and a free printable (below review) which lists the scientists from 100 Scientists Who Made History in chronological order, but can be used apart from the book to find scientists to incorporate into your history studies.
On This Day in ChemistryLearn what chemistry discoveries happened on today's date in history.
The Chemistry of PotteryPottery is so widespread in history that this could cover various eras.
The History of Science
A free video series by Crash Course detailing the history of science. It has videos related to various eras (which I plan to add to sections below individually...but I haven't had time to go through them all yet). Sample Chapters from "Survey of Science History and Concepts"
(Christian Curriculum: All Ages) While the full curriculum is not free, if you scroll down past the product picture/description, under "Products Attachments" you will find a list of sample chapters you can download. Each chapter covers a different topic and the history of scientific discovery around that. The sample chapter topics are listed below:
Biology - Fungi
Chemistry - Metals (Iron Ore)
Mathematics - Calendar Systems
Physics - Motion
Archaeology
AIA Lesson Plans
Lesson plans and activities by the
Archaeological Institute of America. (Late Elementary through high school)
Junior Archeologist Workbook
A free archeologist workbook through
the National Park Service. If you compete the book you can mail or
email it in to receive a Junior Archeologist patch.
Paleoanthropology: Analyzing Evidence
Take a anthropological look at archeological evidence. Middle School - High School. Part of a larger curriculum.Broken Pot Activity
Decorate, break, and put together a broken pot. A good activity for elementary age kids and up. This one is more suitable for younger kids than the 2nd broken pot activity below because it uses simple materials, and suggests terra cotta, which breaks with less sharp edges (though still requires supervision because edges can be rough). That one has some good vocabulary and questions and other info you might want to borrow. Broken Pot Activity
Decorate, break, and put together a broken pot. This one is more suitable for upper elementary, middle and high school.. Has some good vocabulary and questions and other info. Broken PAPER Pot Activity
Potshard activity with printed paper pot.
Stone Age and Archeological STEM Challenge
Stone age activity, and a project designing tools that archeologists could use. Suggested age range: 3rd - 7th.
Wood Preservation of the Mary Rose (Late Elementary to High School)Learn the chemistry behind the preservation of a Tudor Era sunken ship.
Ancient Times
All of Ancient Times / Multiple Eras or Civilizations
CURRICULUM: Science of the Ancient World Full 90 hours long Christian curriculum covering the scientific work of natural philosophers who lived from about 600 BC to the early AD 1500s. It's marketed as K-6th but the lesson text length and complexity is more for, I'd say 2nd at earliest, and you could probably go through 8th easily). There are free sample pages on the site.
BOOK: Ancient Science by Jim WeiseBook for children age 8 -12 with fun science activities related to pre-history and the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, China, Aztecs, Mayans and Native North America.
Ancient Science STEM Challenges This TPT resource by StudentSavvy is meant for classroom use, but I think would be fun to tweak for homeschool. It has STEM projects related to ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Isreal, China, India, Greece and Rome, and printables to go with them. You can buy them as a set, or individual units.
Pre-history/Stone Age/Nomadic
Stone Age and Archeological STEM ChallengeDesign a stone age basket using list of supplies, and an additional archeological challenge. Suggested age range: 3rd - 7th.
Paleoanthropology: Analyzing EvidenceTake a anthropological look at archeological evidence. Middle School - High School. Part of a larger curriculum.
The Stone Age Idea Web
Ideas for science integration for various ages.
Cave Art - Various ActivitiesVarious science activities related to cave art.
Dangers to Cave ArtScroll to bottom for link to PDF of page.
Inventing the Wheel Part 2
Mesopotamia
Ancient Mesopotamia STEM Challenge
This
TPT resource by StudentSavvy has cuneiform coding and ziggurat marble run
projects, and includes worksheets for each. It is meant for the
classroom but could be tweaked for homeschool useGeography and Climate of Ancient Mesopotamia
Middle School level unit on incorporating geography, climate, and math (statistics and probability).
Make Plaster of ParisUsed since ancient Ur (while the activity itself contains a story from ancient Greece, there is info in the teacher resources about plaster's use in ancient Ur, which could help you make a plaster relalted activity for that era).
Egypt
Science of Ancient EgyptThese units by Dr. Dave's science are crammed with info about science in ancient Egypt, with very kid friendly writing. They come in various topics, from mummies to metals. Age level 4th - 7th.
STEAM PyramidVarious projects related to Pyramids, designed for use in 4th - 7th gifted classes. Looks like it could be done as individual homeschool projects.
Ancient Egypt STEM Challenge This TPT resource by StudentSavvy has mummified apple and toothpick pyramid projects, and includes worksheets for each. It is meant for the classroom but could be tweaked for homeschool use. (Note: You can find the mummified apple project free a little further down on this page, sans worksheets).
Geography and Climate of Ancient Egypt Middle School level unit on incorporating geography, climate, and math (statistics and probability).
Nile RiverFree sample of part of the Nile River unit by Dr. Daves Science. Other units available for purchase here.
Nile Silt ActivityJust scroll down - activity is toward the bottom of the blog post.
Ancient Egypt Idea Web Ideas for science integration for various ages.
Egyptian Mummies: Egg Mummy ExperimentEgyptian Mummies: Apple Mummy ExperimentEgyptian Mummies: Chicken Mummy ExperimentVIDEO: Crash Course Kids - Following the SunVideo talks about how ancient peoples used the sun to tell time (pictures Egyptians).
BOOK: Technology in the Time of Ancient Egypt Make Plaster of Paris
First used in Mesopotamia (while the activity itself contains a story from ancient Greece, there is info in the teacher resources about plaster's use in ancient Egypt, which could help you make a plaster relalted activity for that era).
Egyptian ArtA guide to ancient Egyptian art, with science vocab bolded. (Also in PDF form...scroll to bottom for link).
Egyptian Materials and PigmentsScroll to bottom for link to PDF of page.
Making Paint with MineralsEgyptian Blue (Chemistry of Color)Scroll to bottom for link to PDF of page.
Conservation of Egyptian ArtScroll to bottom for link to PDF of page.
Israel
Ancient Israel STEM Challenge This TPT resource by StudentSavvy has a masada building project, with printables. It is meant for the classroom but could be tweaked for homeschool use
India
Ancient India STEM Challenge This TPT resource by StudentSavvy has irrigation and monsoon projects, and includes printables for each. It is meant for the classroom but could be tweaked for homeschool use.
Geography and Climate of Ancient India Middle School level unit on incorporating geography, climate, and math (statistics and probability).
China
Ancient China STEM Challenge This TPT resource by StudentSavvy has a Great Wall of China and Chinese musical instruments project, and includes printables for each. It is meant for the classroom but could be tweaked for homeschool use.
Geography and Climate of Ancient China Middle School level unit on incorporating geography, climate, and math (statistics and probability).
Minoans/Mycenaean/Greece
Restoration of Minoan ArtworkMake Plaster of ParisActivity about making plaster, with "mystery" set in ancient Greece kids solve using plaster and science.
Ancient Greece STEM Challenge This TPT resource by StudentSavvy has a chariot and catapult project, and includes printables for each. It is meant for the classroom but could be tweaked for homeschool use.
Ideas for science integration for various ages.
Ancient Greece + Earth and Space ScienceThis is an outline I made of how we combined our Story of the World lessons on the history of ancient Greece with a study of Earth Science and Space Science. Could be used by those not using SOTW just by looking at the topics covered.
BOOK: Technology in the Time of Ancient GreeceBOOK: Classical KidsThis book is not primarily about science, but among it's many activities has a few really good ones on Greek scientists, presented excellently for younger kids.
Greek Architecture STEM ActivityGreek Art Techniques and PigmentsScroll to bottom for link to PDF of page.
Science of the Ancient World - SAMPLE PAGESThe free sample pages for this curriculum cover several scientists from ancient Greece and their discoveries.
Archimedes Screw 1Archimedes Screw 2
Archimedes was a scientist in Ancient Greek and these are two variations on one of his inventions you can use.
Roman Empire
Ancient Romans Idea WebIdeas for science integration for various ages.
Ancient Romans STEM Challenge This TPT resource by StudentSavvy has aquaduct and Roman road projects, and includes worksheets for each. It is meant for the classroom but could be tweaked for homeschool use.
Making Verdigris CopperCopper and copper alloys like bronze will corrode with long exposure to the air. When it corrodes the copper takes on a blue-green colour. The Greeks and Romans deliberately corroded copper to make a pigment called verdigris.
Make ConcreteInvented during Roman Empire.
Making Invisible InkOvid (43 BCE-17/18 CE), a Roman poet wrote about invisable ink in 18BCE
Roman Glass and It's ChemistryScroll to bottom for link to PDF of page.
Roman Commerce in PigmentsThe Chemistry of Roman Perfumes(High School Chemistry) - I suggest supplementing it with this article on the chemistry of different smells.
BOOK: Technology in the Time of Ancient RomeBOOK: Classical KidsThis book is not primarily about science, but among it's many activities has a some good activities involving Roman inventions.
Americas
Because south and central American regions are generally studied along with Spanish conquest, links for Mayas, Incas, Aztecs and others will be listed under Middle Ages to Early Renaissance below.
Middle Ages to Early Renaissance
Aproximately 400-1600
All of Middle Ages / Multiple Eras or Areas
CURRICULUM: Science of the Ancient World by Jay Wile Full 90 hours long Christian curriculum covering the scientific work of natural philosophers who lived from about 600 BC to the early AD 1500s. It's marketed as K-6th but the lesson text length and complexity is more for, I'd say 2nd at earliest, and you could probably go through 8th easily). There are free sample pages on the site.
Medieval Times Stem Challenge BundleVarious STEM projects related to the middle ages. Includes some STEM challenges listed separately below. Suggested Age Range: 4th - 8th.
Africa
West Africa STEM Challenge Djembe Drum and Gold Mining projects. Suggested Age Range: 4th - 8th.
Americas
Aztecs and Mayas Idea WebIdeas for science integration for various ages.
Aztec STEM ChallengeSuggested Age Range: 4th - 8th.
BOOK: Technology in the Time of the Maya BOOK: Technology in the Time of the Aztecs Asia
Medieval China STEM ChallengeMade a model of Zheng He's Treasure Ship. Suggested Age Range: 4th - 8th.
Fuedal Japan STEM ChallengeZen Garden and Norimono Zipline. Suggested Age Range: 4th - 8th.
Europe
Byzantine Empire STEM Challenge
Hagia sophia marble run and trebuchet. Suggested Age Rage: 4th - 8th.
Experiment With the VikingsA 57 page unit study combining a Viking narrative with various experiements and activities to show the science behind Viking history.
Viking Idea WebIdeas for science integration for various ages.
BOOK: Technology in the time of the VikingsMedieval Chemistry/Alchemy
Making Medieval InkMonastic Ink
The first link is actually based on the second, but it has two versions of the experiment (one that has a 6 day wait time, and a faster one with hot water), and simpler explanations of the science which could be used with younger students. The second link has more detailed explanation of the science for high school students (and pictures, which are nice).
Early Medieval Europe STEM Challenge Late Medieval Europe STEM Challenge
Various projects. Suggested Age Range: 4th - 8th.
Age of Exploration STEM ChallengeMake a boat using a list of supplies and test it's properties. Suggested Ages: 4th - 8th Grade
Wood Preservation of the Mary Rose (Late Elementary to High School)Learn the chemistry behind the preservation of a Tudor Era sunken ship.
The Tudors Idea Web
Ideas for science integration for various ages.
Making Invisible InkMary, Queen of Scots (1542-1587), used invisible ink and ciphers to communicate with Catholic supporters.
Make Plaster of Paris Used to make frescos (while the activity itself contains a story from ancient Greece, there is info in the teacher resources about plaster's use in ancient Ur, which could help you make a plaster relalted activity for that era).
The Science of Fresco Painting
Youtube video goes into the science of making Frescos
The Renaissance STEM ChallengeLeonardo da Vinci's Flying Machine and Anemometer projects. Suggested Age Range: 4th - 8th.
Leonardo DaVinci - Parachute PrototypesThe Reformation STEM Challenge
Gutenberg's printing press project. Suggested Age Range: 4th - 8th.
Middle East
NOTE: Byzantine Empire is placed under Europe, even though parts of it were in the Middle East.
Golden age of Islam Idea Web
Ideas for science integration for various ages.
Islam Caravan STEM ChallengeSuggested Age Range: 4th - 8th.
Early Modern Period
The Scientific Revolution STEM ChallengeVarious projects. Suggested age range: 4th - 8th.
Native Americans - Iroquois Wampum Coding STEM ChallengeCreate coded messages in beads. Suggested age range: 4th - 8th Grade
Cherokee Nation Native American STEM ChallengeBuild a summer and winter home. Suggested age range: 4th - 8th Grade
13 Colonies (US History) STEM ChallengeBuild and test a model of a plow. Suggested age range: 4th - 8th Grade
The Victorian Idea Web
Ideas for science integration for various ages.
Mercury Poisoning and the Origin of the Phrase "Mad as a Hatter" Making Blueprint PaperBlueprints use the cyanotype process invented by the astronomer John Herschel in 1842
Herschel Infrared Experiement
Late Modern Period to Contemporary Times
(1850 - NOW)
Modern History Through ScienceA 6 week long unit study designed to teach history through science (Middle School Level - Ages 10-13)
Learning About How Fireworks WorkAnd Learning About Blackpowder Production in the 1850s
(High School Level) The first part of this section explores how fireworks are used (and involves using some actual fireworks), and the 2nd part explores what it was like working in a blackpowder production factory in the 1850s.
X-Ray Invented Part 2 - 1895(Elementary to Middle School) Book section from the Dover Sampler you can print, with a short activity (part 2).
Make the First Patented Dye- 1856(High School) Learn how to make the first dye patented in the US. This involves chemicals that might not be easy to get and "stirring for two hours" so is not an easy project.
Locomotive Unit StudyFocus on the intercontinental railroad in the US (1860's). Includes science math activity where tudents learn about initial positions, final positions, distance, and displacement as applied to a train’s route through the Sierra Madres. 2nd - 4th Grade.
Ferris Wheel Project + Primary Sources 4th - 8th grade resource. (1893 was first Ferris Wheel)
WWII Idea Web
Ideas for science integration for various ages.
Making Invisible Ink Invisable ink was used by secret agents in WWII
WWII Fighter Gliders UnitFor 3rd - 7th. Includes multiple subjects including science exploration. Originally intended for classroom use.
MoonshotScience project about space rockets, including history of the Saturn V Rocket.
Square Graphic for Sharing
Shared on Dear Homeschooler Bookshelf, Throwback Thursday, and Various Other Link-ups
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