Science Red Flags & Green Flags: How Secular Homeschoolers Can Tell the Difference in Science Curriculums

If you’re homeschooling without religion, you’ve probably already figured out that not everything labeled “science” is actually science. Some of it is belief in a lab coat. Some of it is opinion dressed up as facts. And some of it is genuinely solid but harder to spot if you don’t know what to look for. That can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to be intentional about what your kids are learning, and you don’t want to pass down misinformation accidentally. The good news is, you don’t need a science degree to recognize the difference. You just need a few solid markers and permission to trust your instincts.

One of the biggest misconceptions in homeschool spaces is that “neutral” automatically means accurate. It doesn’t. Science isn’t neutral,

it’s a method. It’s about asking questions, testing ideas, reviewing evidence, and changing conclusions when new information shows up. That’s not a flaw;...that’s the whole point. Problems arise when science gets mixed with ideology, fear, or belief systems and is presented as fact anyway. For secular homeschoolers, this often means unlearning the version of science many of us were taught growing up.

A major red flag is language that suggests there’s a scientific controversy where there really isn’t one. When evolution, climate change, or the age of the Earth are framed as “hotly debated” in mainstream science, that’s usually a signal that ideology is driving the lesson not evidence. Another common issue is belief quietly slipping into the conversation under the guise of science. Phrases like “some scientists believe” without clear sources, or claims that science “can’t explain everything” followed by religious conclusions, are worth slowing down and questioning. Science doesn’t require belief to function, and it doesn’t need faith to fill in the gaps.

Outdated or vague sourcing is another place to pause. If a curriculum doesn’t clearly cite where its information comes from, relies heavily on decades-old studies, or uses language like “experts agree” without naming those experts, that’s worth side-eyeing. Real science is transparent about sources and open to revision. Similarly, fear-based messaging, fear of asking questions, fear of being wrong, fear of what curiosity might “lead to” isn’t about learning. It’s about control. And if a resource shuts down questions with “because that’s just how it is,” that’s not science at all.

On the flip side, good science education feels very different. Green-flag resources focus less on memorizing facts and more on how science actually works. They talk about asking questions, testing ideas, collecting data, and revising conclusions. They’re honest about what we know, what we’re still learning, and what’s changed over time. They also tend to acknowledge that science has a history—one shaped by power, bias, and exclusion—and they don’t pretend otherwise. That kind of honesty doesn’t weaken science education; it strengthens it.

Strong science resources also utilize current, credible sources and encourage kids to research, explore multiple perspectives, and remain curious. They leave room for “why,” “how do we know,” and “what if this changes later?” Curiosity isn’t treated as disrespectful—it’s treated as essential. That’s a huge green flag.

In real homeschool life, this often means letting go of the idea that science learning has to look rigid to be legitimate. It might look like switching curricula mid-year, changing formats when something isn’t working, revisiting topics later, or listening when your child says something doesn’t make sense. That’s not failing. That’s learning in real time.

You don’t need perfect curriculum choices or flawless judgment. What matters is discernment—the ability to pause and ask who created a resource, what assumptions are baked into it, and what evidence is actually being presented. If something feels off, it usually is. Trusting that instinct is part of raising critical thinkers, not just good test-takers.

This post was inspired by a recent episode of Secular Homeschool Revolution, where we dig deeper into science indoctrination in homeschool spaces, why “neutral science” is often a myth, and how to protect curiosity without swinging into “anything goes.” You can listen to the episode and find more resources at www.secularhomeschoolrevolution.com. Because helping our kids think for themselves isn’t just educational, it’s revolutionary.