When I first flipped to the supply list for The Good and the Beautiful High School Biology, I braced myself.
I was expecting laboratory equipment, expensive kits, and a shopping list long enough to require its own binder.
Instead, I found balloons.
And pinto beans.
And strawberries.
Sure, there are a few specialty items along the way, including a microscope and some dissection materials. But what surprised me most was how many experiments use ordinary items already found in a typical home.
For homeschool parents wondering whether this course requires a full-blown science lab, the answer is encouraging:
Not really.
Here’s what you’ll actually need.
The Essentials
Equipment You’ll Use Repeatedly
- Microscope
- Blank slides and cover slips
- Pipettes or eyedroppers
- Safety goggles
- Magnifying glass
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Timer
Household Supplies You’ll Likely Already Own
- Balloons
- Funnel
- Marker
- Tape
- Scissors
- Baking sheet
- Paper towels
- Plastic wrap
- Food coloring
- Bowls and jars
- Coffee filters
- Ruler
- Spoon
Grocery Store Biology
One thing I love about this curriculum is how often it brings science into everyday life.
Expect to use items like:
- Potatoes
- Pinto beans
- Fresh leaves
- Flowers
- Strawberries
- Onions
- Chicken liver
- Salt
- Sugar
- Yeast
Apparently biology is just one step away from making dinner.
My Take
As a homeschool parent, I appreciate that this course doesn’t require us to transform our home into a university laboratory.
The labs are approachable, hands-on, and designed to help students engage with God’s creation using both observation and experimentation.
And honestly, that’s one of my favorite things about homeschooling.
Wonder often begins with ordinary things.
Have you used The Good and the Beautiful High School Biology? What surprised you most about the course?