WHAT IS “STEP 2”?
STEP 2 is two years of secular, religion-friendly curriculum, designed for use by two kinds of students:
- Students ages 7-8
- Students who are developing literacy.

IS STEP 2 FOR HOMESCHOOLING?  OR THE CLASSROOM?
STEP 2 is independent study for homeschoolers, but works best when two or more students work (and play) together.

ARE STEPS 2 COURSES BOOKS?  HOW DO I GET THEM?
STEPS courses come as PDFs, online downloads.  When you purchase courses on our site, they are immediately sent to the email address you give us.

HOW DOES STEP 2 SCIENCE WORK?
Like all STEPS studies, STEP 2 courses are broken into daily lesson plans.  Each lesson plan is made up of small things to be done, in sequence.  What is read is right there in the lesson plan, no guess work, “writing” by the teacher or student, or hunting for materials needed.   The student does each step in the lesson plan, in order.  Sometimes, the course shows students some art work, video, or photography – all found in sequence, in the lesson plan.  And in every lesson plan, the student uses what has been taught and does things, sometimes in the form of games, but there are always activities.  There are eight Step Two Science courses, intended to be done four a year, for two years.

Over a period of two years, the duration of Step 2 studies, students develop improved reading and literacy skills.  Each student moves at their own pace in developing literacy, as in all their studies.  The student moves away during this step from a teacher-intensive approach to study, and increasingly becomes able to study independently.

The first thing to know about Step 2 Science is that our science is secular.   We do not cover (in science) ideas of creationism, other than as a comparison point for scientific concepts, and that very rarely.  We never degrade or attack religious beliefs, but these are secular science courses that assume that Darwin, Einstein and other scientists generally knew what they were talking about.

Step 2 Science first covers in some detail science essentials such as the use of measurements and tools, and of categorization.  Then, in order, Geology, Oceanography, Meteorology, Biology, Physics and Astronomy are provided courses.  The sequence of the presentation of sciences matches Steps 3 and 4, so even at a young age, the student is preparing for more advanced studies – but science here is presented with a premium of simple clarity, and hands-on exposure.  The student will receive more detail in later studies, but having completed Step 2 Science, the student will have an essential understanding of science, considerably advanced compared to most students at this age.

Science should be done two times a week.  Each semester consists of multiple courses to be done in sequence. For example, the first semester consists of three courses, dealing with the ability to observe, to determine the difference between fact and opinion, the nature of cause and effect, and more. These are bottom-line understandings one must have to start to study modern science. The exercises are fun and creative, and keep the student active.

Later semesters cover specific areas of science such as Earth Sciences, Biology, and simple Physics and Astronomy. Each course is carefully designed to teach essential ideas in science while, at the same time, developing the student’s literacy and study skills.

CAN I PURCHASE INDIVIDUAL COURSES TO FILL NEEDS IN MY CHILD’S EDUCATION?
Yes.  Each STEPS course is a free-standing, independent study.  We provide courses in history, science, creative writing, literature studies, civics, educational basics like reading and spelling, current events, and the arts.

CAN I PURCHASE THE FULL PROGRAM OF SCIENCE FOR STEP 2?
Yes, as a “bundle” on our site.  Bundles are the least expensive way to purchase STEPS courses.

HOW QUICKLY COULD I START USING STEPS 2 SCIENCE?
Start now.  You can start STEPS at any time of the year, 24/7/365.   Everything you need is pretty much included in the courses you will download, for STEP 2.

HOW MUCH DO I, THE TEACHER OR PARENT, NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SCIENCE IN ORDER TO USE STEPS?  HOW MUCH DO I NEED TO DO?
You (teacher/tutor/parent) do not need any expertise in subjects your student is studying, using STEPS.   Not as a teacher, or in the subjects being taught.  You do not need a degree, or experience as a teacher.  Each course does the “teaching”.   Just follow the lesson plans, and keep your eyes open for fun opportunities related to whatever the student is studying now.   The course does the teaching – YOU, the teacher, “deliver” the course, one action at a time, lesson plan by lesson plan. 

HOW QUICKLY CAN I MOVE MY STUDENT UP STEPS?
A student can move up at any time he has the literacy skills and maturity for the next level.  The student does not need to “complete” a lower level of curriculum to move up.  The student just needs to be able to successfully do the next higher level of curriculum as far as difficulty and literacy.  With STEPS, a student is never “behind” or “ahead” – each student moves at the pace they’re comfortable with, every step in every lesson plan, every course, and every level. 

A SUCCESS STORY ABOUT STEP 2 SCIENCE!
(NOTE – This history course covers much of the history of science…)
My son and I just completed History 3 lesson 12, Understanding Life- Biology, Darwin, Theophrastus, Linnaes, and Vavilov. What struck me during the time my son and I read and understood the lesson was, the number of children being educated these days that study subjects, that seem to exist by themselves and that have little relevence to each other. It is no wonder why history, math or science is boring to most children. What my son and I just experienced was a vocabulary, geography, history and science lesson with a lab, all rolled into one! We learned what biology is, but we learned it in terms of the first scientists, and so we now know something about the passion they had for their subjects. Imagine being a scientist and guarding a seed vault from starving people in St Petersberg during a 900 day siege during WWII or as the Russian's call it, the great patriotic war. That is history and science coming alive! My son concluded his lesson by going outdoors, into the world to catalogue and record the life he found around the house. He didn't leave anything out. Alex is getting a REAL education, thanks to your insight and effort to produce the best curriculum available today. Thanks    R.P/, "Father of A."