Today I’m so excited to share about a fascinating upper-level science course for teens — Apologia’s Self-Paced Forensic Science! This course immediately caught my attention because it combines solid, faith-based science teaching with one of the most intriguing real-world topics out there.

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Before we dive in, a quick note for parents: this course is recommended only for 11th and 12th graders. Some of the subject matter—such as crime scenes, evidence, and case studies—can be a little intense or unsettling for younger students. While it’s handled tastefully and with a Christian worldview, it’s definitely a high school–level course best suited for mature learners.

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Check out Apologia Forensic Science here

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What Is Apologia Self-Paced Forensic Science?

Apologia’s Self-Paced Forensic Science course walks students through the fascinating intersection of science, investigation, and critical thinking. Designed to be both rigorous and engaging, it introduces students to the methods and reasoning used in real-world forensic science—all taught from a biblical perspective.

The course covers topics like:

• Evidence collection and analysis
• DNA and fingerprint identification
• Bloodstain and ballistics study
• Toxicology
• Forensic pathology and anthropology
• Legal aspects of criminal investigations

This course doesn’t just teach students about lab techniques—it helps them think like scientists. They’ll learn how to carefully observe, analyze data, and draw logical conclusions based on evidence.

What’s Included in the Self-Paced Course

The full, self-paced course includes everything your student needs for an independent yet guided learning experience:

• Video Lessons (engaging and clear explanations of each topic)
• Hands-on Experiments (done at home with easy-to-find materials—videos walk students through every step)
• Review Questions and Study Guides (help reinforce learning and prepare for assessments)
• Automatically Graded Tests (parents receive email updates when each test is completed—such a time-saver!)

To purchase separately:

• Lab Kit — this is optional, but honestly it makes life so much easier! It comes with clearly marked baggies with each lab’s supplies. All your teen has to do is grab and go. It’s wonderful!
• Student Notebook — and I highly recommend it!
  • Includes a clearly laid-out weekly plan based on a 3 or 4-day school week
  • Spaces for note-taking, lab reports, and reflections
  • Experiment instructions and lab sheets for each module
  • Grading guide for parents

I absolutely love the weekly plans in the student notebook. It gives your teen a sense of ownership over their learning—without you having to constantly remind them what’s next. That’s a huge win for homeschooling multiple kids and managing a full schedule.

Check out Apologia Forensic Science here

Use code alicia10 for 10% off!

Who Is Apologia Self-Paced Forensic Science For?

Apologia gives the following sample scope for their high school science courses:

• 7th: General Science
• 8th: Physical Science
• 9th: Biology
• 10th: Chemistry
• 11th–12th: Forensic Science or Advanced Biology/Physics

Forensic Science is an excellent choice for juniors and seniors who:

• Have completed Biology and Chemistry
• Enjoy real-world problem solving and investigation
• Want a science credit that feels fresh and relevant
• Thrive on self-paced, independent study

Apologia’s Self-Paced Forensic Science offers students a chance to apply the science they’ve already learned in meaningful, practical ways—an ideal capstone to their high school science sequence.

How We’re Using Apologia Self-Paced Forensic Science This Year

This year, my high schooler is diving into Apologia’s Forensic Science course as her main science credit—and she’s genuinely excited about it! She’s always been interested in true crime documentaries and detective stories, so this course gives her a safe, structured, faith-based way to explore that curiosity.

We’re following the weekly plan outlined in the Student Notebook, which keeps everything simple and on track. She watches the video lessons independently, completes the lab reports, and I check her progress weekly using the parent grading guide and test reports that Apologia emails.

I love that she’s not just learning abstract science concepts—she’s learning to think critically, connect evidence, and analyze data in a way that mirrors real-life applications of science.

Check out Apologia Forensic Science here

Final Thoughts

Apologia’s Forensic Science course is one of the most unique upper-level homeschool science options out there. It challenges students academically while still keeping a biblical worldview at the center. If your teen is ready for something engaging, thought-provoking, and just a little bit different from the usual science fare, this course is a fantastic choice.

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