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!
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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
Paid Resource
Various/Mixed Eras
Full Curriculum
Science Through History by Jay Wile A 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 Hakim
Curriculum 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 Tiner
This 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 Concepts
Christian 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 Chemistry
Learn what chemistry discoveries happened on today's date in history.
The Chemistry of Pottery
Pottery 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 Weise
Book 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 Challenge
Design 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 Activities
Various science activities related to cave art.
Dangers to Cave Art
Scroll to bottom for link to PDF of page.
Prehistoric Pigments
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 use
Geography and Climate of Ancient Mesopotamia
Middle School level unit on incorporating geography, climate, and math (statistics and probability).
Make Plaster of Paris
Used 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).
Baghdad BatteryHave they found an ancient electric battery in Mesopotamia? Explore the mystery.
Egypt
Science of Ancient Egypt
These 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 Pyramid
Various 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 River
Free sample of part of the Nile River unit by Dr. Daves Science. Other units available for purchase
here.
Nile Silt Activity
Just 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 Experiment
Egyptian Mummies: Apple Mummy Experiment
Egyptian Mummies: Chicken Mummy Experiment
VIDEO: Crash Course Kids - Following the Sun
Video 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 Art
A guide to ancient Egyptian art, with science vocab bolded. (Also in PDF form...scroll to bottom for link).
Egyptian Materials and Pigments +
Egyptian Pain Article
Scroll to bottom for link to PDF of first page.
Making Paint with Minerals
Egyptian Blue (Chemistry of Color)
Scroll to bottom for link to PDF of page.
Conservation of Egyptian Art
Scroll 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 Artwork
Make Plaster of Paris
Activity 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.
Ancient Greece Idea Web
Ideas for science integration for various ages.
Ancient Greece + Earth and Space Science
This 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 Greece
BOOK: Classical Kids
This 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 Activity
Greek Art Techniques and Pigments
Scroll to bottom for link to PDF of page.
Science of the Ancient World - SAMPLE PAGES
The free sample pages for this curriculum cover several scientists from ancient Greece and their discoveries.
Archimedes Screw 1
Archimedes 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 Web
Ideas 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 Copper
Copper 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 Concrete
Invented during Roman Empire.
Making Invisible Ink
Ovid (43 BCE-17/18 CE), a Roman poet wrote about invisable ink in 18BCE
Roman Glass and It's Chemistry
Scroll to bottom for link to PDF of page.
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 Bundle
Various 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 Web
Ideas for science integration for various ages.
Aztec STEM Challenge
Suggested Age Range: 4th - 8th.
BOOK: Technology in the Time of the Maya
BOOK: Technology in the Time of the Aztecs
Asia
Medieval China STEM Challenge
Made a model of Zheng He's Treasure Ship.
Suggested Age Range: 4th - 8th.
Fuedal Japan STEM Challenge
Zen 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 Vikings
A 57 page unit study combining a Viking narrative with various experiements and activities to show the science behind Viking history.
Viking Idea Web
Ideas for science integration for various ages.
BOOK: Technology in the time of the Vikings
Medieval Chemistry/Alchemy
Making Medieval Ink
Monastic 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 Challenge
Make 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 Ink
Mary, 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).
Making Paint With Minerals
The Science of Fresco Painting
Youtube video goes into the science of making Frescos
The Renaissance STEM Challenge
Leonardo da Vinci's Flying Machine and Anemometer projects.
Suggested Age Range: 4th - 8th.
Leonardo DaVinci - Parachute Prototypes
The 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 Challenge
Suggested Age Range: 4th - 8th.
Early Modern Period
How metal from Germany ended up in masks made in Benin in the 16th through 19th centuries. PDF/slides included. 8th-12th.
This research project help teens explore the history and science of how aspirin was discovered. Accompanying article about folk medicine highlights how old cures are rediscovered and improved. High school level.
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 Study
Focus 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 Unit
For 3rd - 7th. Includes multiple subjects including science exploration. Originally intended for classroom use.
Moonshot
Science 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
In stead of reading the story in SOTW about Lei Zu we read Silk Princess by Charles Santore. This was a fun story, which my son enjoyed, and I loved the illustrations, but it added magic elements and changed the tale in other ways, such as moving the discovery to the princess in stead of the queen (which I had a little less problem with, since in the last pages it explained that in some ancient tales the discovery was attributed to Huang Di's daughter, not wife). I sort of wish I had stuck with the story as told in Story of the World, or taken the time to find another picture book that left out magic and just stuck with the plain story. It's not that I mind magic in folk tales, but there's so few stories of ancient inventors, and even less so of FEMALE ancient inventors, that I would have liked to leave more of this in the rhelm of the conceivable, than make it into just another fable. 
