Science Shepherd is a Christian video-based science curriculum created by physician Dr. Scott Hardin, offering rigorous courses from elementary through high school that students can complete independently.
What is Science Shepherd?
Science Shepherd is a Christian homeschool science curriculum developed by Dr. Scott Hardin, a physician who homeschooled his six children for over 20 years. The program combines video instruction with textbooks, workbooks, lab activities, and assessments. What sets it apart is the design for independent study—students can work through lessons without requiring parents to have science expertise. The curriculum presents science from a Young Earth Creationist perspective, teaching that God created the universe in six literal days about 6,000 years ago while maintaining rigorous scientific content.
Key Takeaways
- Video-based lessons allow students to learn independently without parent science background
- Covers elementary through high school: Introductory Science, Life Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics
- Created by a physician with 20+ years of homeschool experience
- Young Earth Creationist perspective integrated throughout
- Includes lab experiments with video walkthroughs
Available Courses by Level
Teaching Approach
Science Shepherd's video lessons run the show. Biology alone includes 42+ hours of video instruction across the year. Dr. Hardin and other instructors walk students through concepts, then guide them through lab experiments on camera so students can follow along at home. The courses are designed so parents only need to check answers—no lesson prep or science background required. This makes it genuinely independent study, which is a relief for parents who feel intimidated by upper-level science. Each course bundles the textbook, video access, workbooks, lab manual, tests, and answer keys.
Academic Rigor
Reviewers consistently note that Science Shepherd courses are more challenging than typical homeschool science curricula. The high school biology course, for example, covers more material in greater depth than many two-year sequences. This rigor has earned recognition: the curriculum appears on Cathy Duffy's 103 Top Picks, won the Practical Homeschooling Science Reader Award, and earned the Homeschool.com Educational Website Award multiple years running. If you're looking for substantial science preparation for college, this delivers.
Faith Integration
Every Science Shepherd course teaches from a literal understanding of Genesis, presenting observed science as supporting biblical creation. The creation/evolution debate receives special attention, equipping students to understand and engage with different perspectives. Scripture references appear throughout lessons, connecting scientific concepts to biblical truth. This makes it a strong fit for families wanting faith woven into science education rather than separated from it—but families preferring secular or faith-neutral science curriculum should look elsewhere.
The Bottom Line
Science Shepherd fills a specific niche well: rigorous, video-based Christian science education that students can complete independently. Dr. Hardin's medical background shows in the depth of content, particularly in biology. The curriculum works best for families who want substantial academic preparation alongside Young Earth Creationist teaching. The video format suits auditory and visual learners, though text-heavy components require focus and reading stamina. If you've been nervous about teaching high school science without a science degree, the independent study design removes that barrier.
