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Without question, finding a creation-based curriculum that doesn’t sacrifice academic rigor can be challenging. When I started searching for the right fit, God’s Design for Science kept coming up in homeschool forums. After using it for two years with my elementary and middle school kids, I’m ready to share what makes this program stand out and where it falls short.
Quick Summary
Best For: Christian families wanting creation-based instruction with solid academics
Ages: Grades 1-8 (adaptable for K)
Approach: Creation-based with hands-on experiments
Publisher: Answers in Genesis
Price: $39-$59 per book
Our Rating: 4.3/5
What is God’s Design for Science?
This is a creation-based program from Answers in Genesis. It covers all major areas of study with a biblical worldview. The content is solid and meets strong academic standards. If you want other faith-based options, check out our BJU Press Science Review or Apologia Science Review.
The program has four main series with multiple books in each. As a result, you can pick topics you like or work through all of them in order. According to Cathy Duffy Reviews, it’s one of the best creation-based options you can find.
What I love most is that it doesn’t just mention God now and then. Instead, it weaves biblical truths into each lesson. This helps kids see creation as proof of God’s design.
How the Program Works
Each book has 35 lessons. You can finish one in a semester if you use it daily. Or take a full year if you do it two to three times a week. As a result, most families finish one book per year. This gives you time to cover topics well. For more options, see our best science curriculum guide.
Daily Lesson Structure
Lessons typically take 30-45 minutes and follow this pattern:
- Introduction: Brief overview connecting to previous learning
- Reading: Information presented at an accessible level
- Discussion: Questions to check understanding
- Activity: Hands-on experiments or projects
- Biblical connection: Scripture and worldview application
In fact, my kids love the variety. We don’t just read about concepts; we test them. As a result, the hands-on elements keep even my wiggly 7-year-old engaged.
The Four Series
God’s Design organizes topics into four comprehensive series:
Our Universe
- The Universe (astronomy, space)
- Our Planet Earth (geology, weather)
- Our Weather and Water (meteorology, water cycle)
Our Physical World
- Heat and Energy
- Machines and Motion
- Inventions and Technology
Life Science
- The World of Plants
- The World of Animals
- The Human Body
Our Living World (Ecology)
- Aquatic and Wildlife Ecology
- Ecosystem Interactions
What’s Included
Each book includes:
- Student text: Full-color hardcover with engaging illustrations
- Teacher supplement: Answer keys, supply lists, additional activities
- Worksheets: Printable from the CD or downloadable
- Experiment instructions: Clear directions with expected results
You’ll need to gather experiment supplies separately, but most are common household items. Specifically, I keep a dedicated bin of materials and rarely need special purchases.
Advantages of This Curriculum
1. Strong Biblical Integration
Some programs feel like secular content with a few Bible verses added. This one is different. It weaves Scripture in a natural way. Therefore, each lesson links science to the Creator. Now my kids think about design when they see nature.
2. Multi-Age Friendly
Each lesson has three levels of work. This makes it easy to teach kids of different ages at once. For instance, I teach my 7-year-old and 11-year-old together. The younger one does the easy tasks. The older one does harder work.
3. Affordable and Reusable
At $39-$59 per book, this costs much less than many programs. Moreover, the books last long and can be reused for younger kids. Plus, you can copy the worksheets for all your children.
4. Solid Academic Content
Don’t think this is easy just because it’s creation-based. On the contrary, the content is solid and fits each age level. My daughter went to public high school later. She said she was ready for it.
5. Flexibility
Furthermore, you can use books in any order you like. Want to study animals this year and space next year? No problem. In other words, you can make it fit your family’s needs.
Challenges and Drawbacks
1. Supply Gathering Required
You’ll need to gather supplies for the experiments. Although most items are things you have at home, prep takes time. Busy parents may find this hard to fit in.
2. Not Scripted
You’ll need to read lessons first and lead talks with your kids. However, if you want a program where you just read from a script, try Nancy Larson Science instead. It’s fully scripted.
3. Young Earth Focus
This program teaches from a young earth view. So if you prefer old earth ideas or want to show many views, it may not fit well.
4. Limited High School Options
This program works well up to 8th grade. After that, you’ll need a new program. Many families switch to Apologia’s high school courses for lab credit.
Who Should Consider This Program?
Great fit if:
- You want explicitly Christian, creation-based content
- You’re teaching multiple children of different ages
- You prefer affordable curriculum you can reuse
- You enjoy hands-on teaching with experiments
- You want flexibility in topic order
- You’re comfortable facilitating discussions
May not be ideal if:
- You need strictly scripted lessons
- You prefer secular or old earth approaches
- You want all materials included
- You’re looking for high school credit courses
- You dislike gathering experiment supplies
Comparison with Other Christian Options
| Feature | God’s Design | Apologia | BJU Press |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per year | $39-$59 | $79-$119 | $150-$200 |
| Grade Range | 1-8 | K-12 | K-12 |
| Format | Topical books | Notebooking | Traditional textbook |
| Multi-age | Excellent | Good | Limited |
| Materials included | No | Kit available | No |
| Best For | Multi-age families | Thorough study | Traditional approach |
Tips for Success
After two years using this curriculum, here’s what I’ve learned. Following these suggestions will help you get the most out of the program:
- Prep supplies weekly: Review the coming week’s experiments and gather materials on Sunday
- Use the levels: Don’t skip the differentiation for different ages; it works
- Add library books: Supplement with related reading from your library
- Keep a nature journal: Extend lessons with outdoor observations
- Don’t rush: It’s okay to spend extra time on fascinating topics
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this curriculum with a kindergartener?
Officially it starts at first grade, but I successfully used it with my advanced kindergartener. In that case, just adjust expectations, skip complex worksheets, and focus on the hands-on activities and discussion portions. Overall, the multi-level design accommodates younger learners well.
Do I need to use the books in a specific order?
No, each book is self-contained. Instead, you can start with whatever topic interests your child most. For example, many families rotate through life, physical, and earth topics over several years. Ultimately, this flexibility is one of the program’s greatest strengths.
How does this curriculum compare to Apologia?
This program is more affordable and better for multi-age teaching. In contrast, Apologia is more thorough with its notebooking approach and extends through high school. Many families use this curriculum through middle school, then switch to Apologia for high school.
Are the experiments actually educational or just fun?
The experiments genuinely reinforce concepts rather than serving as busywork. In fact, my kids remember lessons better when they’ve done the hands-on component. Importantly, the experiments are designed to illustrate specific principles, not just provide entertainment.
How long does each lesson take?
Plan for 30-45 minutes per lesson, including the experiment. Of course, some days run shorter if you skip the hands-on activity; on the other hand, others run longer if your kids get deeply engaged. Generally, we complete three lessons per week and finish a book comfortably in one school year.
Final Verdict
After two years with this program, I can say it works. It’s great for Christian families. It’s even better if you teach kids of different ages or want to save money. Most importantly, the Bible content feels natural. The lessons are solid. And the hands-on work makes learning stick.
My only concerns are the prep time for experiments and the lack of high school options. Nevertheless, for K-8 it’s a great pick. You don’t have to give up faith or good academics. Still deciding? Check out our best science curriculum guide for more ideas.
Our Rating: 4.3/5
For families who want a faith-based program with real content, this one delivers. Visit Answers in Genesis to see sample lessons and find out if it’s right for you.
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