We love science! At Berean Builders, we believe science is a fascinating subject that fuels curiosity and encourages exploration.
Whether your homeschooler is a budding scientist or simply eager to understand the world around them, a strong foundation in science terms is essential. Effective learning requires knowledge of the topic vocabulary.
If you took science classes in school, you remember learning science vocabulary. By familiarizing your student with these linguistic building blocks, you can help them more deeply understand various scientific disciplines and ideas.
Critical thinkers utilize strong vocabularies as they seek to comprehend new concepts.
Studying Science: The Power of Root Words
Before diving into specific science vocabulary, it’s important to understand the significance of root words. Root words are the foundation upon which many scientific terms are built. By recognizing common Greek and Latin roots, homeschoolers can decipher the meanings of scientific words, even when they encounter them for the first time.
Here are some frequently used scientific roots (both prefixes and suffixes), their meanings, and some common uses:
Bio – Life: biology, biotechnology, biosphere
Geo – Earth: geology, geography, geophysics
Astro – Space: astronomy, astrophysics, astronaut
Hydro – Water: hydrology, hydroelectricity, hydroponics
Aero – Air: aerodynamics, aerospace, aeronautics
Photo – Light: photosynthesis, photography, photovoltaic
Micro – Small: microscope, microbiology, microorganism
-ology – The study of: biology, geology, ecology
-ist – One who studies: chemist, physicist, zoologist
-metry – Measurement: telemetry, geometry, tachometry
Essential Science Vocabulary
Let’s explore a selection of frequently used science vocabulary that homeschoolers should become familiar with.
Hypothesis: a proposed explanation or prediction based on limited evidence, serving as the starting point for scientific investigation.
Experiment: a carefully designed procedure to test a hypothesis and gather data.
Variables: factors that can be changed or measured in an experiment, such as independent variables (manipulated) and dependent variables (observed).
Observation: the act of carefully watching or noting something to gather information.
Theory: a well-substantiated explanation of natural phenomena, supported by a vast body of evidence and scientific consensus.
Law: a statement that describes an observed phenomenon in nature, often expressed as a mathematical equation.
Energy: the capacity to do work or cause change. It exists in various forms such as kinetic, potential, thermal, and electrical energy.
Matter: anything that has mass and takes up space. It can exist in solid, liquid, or gaseous states.
Ecosystem: a community of living organisms, along with their physical environment, that interact and depend on each other.
DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid, a molecule that carries genetic information and serves as the blueprint for the development and functioning of all living organisms.
Scientific Method: a systematic approach used by scientists to investigate and understand the natural world.
Science Tools and Instruments
One fun part of science is being able to use tools and instruments to view, measure, and manipulate components during a lesson. When your student is familiar with the vocabulary of scientific instruments, learning expands with the knowledge of how they are used.
| Telescope | Pipette | Balance |
| Thermometer | Microscope | Centrifuge |
| Graduated cylinder | Test tube | Compass |
| Beaker | Hydrometer | Flask |
Branches of Science
Science is a vast field with several specialized branches. Each discipline uses its own set of related vocabulary.
Biology: the study of living organisms and their interactions with their environment.
| Cells | Evaporation | Organism |
| Genetics | Mitosis | Metamorphosis |
| Evolution | Osmosis | Bacteria |
| Ecosystem | Symbiosis | Biodiversity |
Chemistry: the study of substances, their properties, composition, interactions, and changes.
| Electron | Compound | Acid |
| Proton | Reaction | Base |
| Neutron | Periodic table | Solvent |
| Element | Oxidation | Solution |
Physics: the study of matter, energy, and the fundamental forces that govern the universe.
| Gravity | Acceleration | Momentum |
| Force | Displacement | Velocity |
| Motion | Inertia | Entropy |
| Energy | Friction | Quantum |
Astronomy: the study of celestial objects, space, and the universe.
| Planet | Comet | Galaxy |
| Black hole | Satellite | Asteroid |
| Heliocentric | Binary star | Light year |
| Constellation | Magnitude | Eclipse |
Geology: the study of the Earth, its rocks, minerals, and the processes that shape the planet’s structure.
| Magma | Minerals | Erosion |
| Plate tectonics | Aquifer | Sedimentary |
| Igneous | Subduction | Hydrothermal |
| Crust | Bedrock | Mantle |
We could go on and on with science vocabulary!
When you introduce your student to new science words and help them understand their meanings in context, you give them tools to make connections between concepts, decode complex terms, and cultivate a lifelong love for science.
Science Vocabulary Everywhere!
The best way to give your homeschooler the gift of scientific knowledge is to immerse them in one of our comprehensive science courses. From earth science to biology, chemistry, physics, and more, your student can engage in exploration of our universe, our planet, and the life around us, all while encouraging critical thinking and creativity.
With conversational text, hands-on experiments your student can perform right at home, and support from us here, Berean Builders science courses bring the world of science to your homeschool adventure.
More Resources For Homeschool Science
Come see our wide selection of science courses for…
…that cover plenty of science vocabulary and help your student explore the world.