Science Shepherd is a Christian science curriculum for homeschoolers. Created by Dr. Scott Hardin, it combines videos, textbooks, and lab work, allowing students to learn independently from a Young Earth Creationist perspective.
Research from the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) shows that homeschooled students typically score 15 to 25 percentile points higher than public school students on standardized academic achievement tests. Most homeschool families report completing core academic subjects in 3-4 hours per day for elementary students, compared to the 6-7 hours typical of traditional schools, due to the one-on-one instruction and absence of classroom management overhead (NHERI, 2024).
What is Science Shepherd?
Science Shepherd is a Christian science curriculum made for homeschoolers. Dr. Scott Hardin, a physician, created it after homeschooling his six kids for over 20 years. This program mixes video lessons with textbooks, workbooks, lab activities, and quizzes. It’s designed for independent study, so students can learn without needing parents to be science experts. The curriculum teaches science from a Young Earth Creationist viewpoint, saying God created the universe in six literal days about 6,000 years ago, while still covering solid scientific facts.
Teaching approach
Science Shepherd's video lessons lead the way. The biology course alone has over 42 hours of video for the year. Dr. Hardin and other instructors explain concepts and then show lab experiments on screen, so students can follow along at home. Parents only need to check answers—no lesson prep or science background needed. This truly allows for independent study, which is a huge help for parents worried about high school science. Each course includes the textbook, video access, workbooks, lab manual, tests, and answer keys.
Academic rigor
Many reviewers say Science Shepherd courses are tougher than typical homeschool science options. For instance, the high school biology course dives deeper into the material than many two-year programs. This quality has earned it recognition: it’s listed in Cathy Duffy's 103 Top Picks, won awards from Practical Homeschooling, and earned the Homeschool.com Educational Website Award multiple times. If you want strong science preparation for college, this is a solid choice.
Faith integration
Every Science Shepherd course teaches from a literal view of Genesis, showing how observed science supports biblical creation. The curriculum discusses the creation/evolution debate, helping students understand and engage with different ideas. Scripture references pop up throughout the lessons, linking science concepts to biblical truths. This makes it a great fit for families wanting faith integrated into their science education. However, if you prefer a secular or faith-neutral science curriculum, you might want to look elsewhere.
The bottom line
Science Shepherd fills a specific need: rigorous, video-based Christian science education that students can do on their own. Dr. Hardin's medical background shines through in the detailed content, especially in biology. This curriculum suits families wanting strong academic preparation along with Young Earth Creationist teachings. The video format works well for auditory and visual learners, although the text-heavy parts require focus and reading stamina. If you're nervous about teaching high school science without a science degree, this independent study design makes it easier.
