When it comes to teaching science at home, finding the right curriculum can feel overwhelming. You want something that builds true understanding, encourages curiosity, and fits your family’s needs. Two of the best science options out there are BFSU (Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding) and SCI (Scientific Connections Through Inquiry).
The good news? Both are wonderful.
The even better news? Choosing between them just depends on what works best for your family.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the similarities, the key differences, and how to decide which one might be the better fit for you.
Quick Overview
Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding (BFSU)
Created by Bernard Nebel, BFSU is designed to help children build deep, interconnected scientific knowledge over time. It’s not focused on memorizing facts, it’s about seeing the “why” behind how the world works and the interconnections within science. However, BFSU requires a lot of parent involvement. Parents are expected to read lessons ahead of time, guide discussions, and plan activities based on their child’s pace and interests.
Scientific Connections Through Inquiry (SCI)
SCI is based on BFSU (developed with permission from Dr. Nebel) but restructured to feel more like a traditional curriculum. It offers a clear week-by-week guide, scripted lesson plans, and hands-on activities that are already organized for you. While it’s more expensive than BFSU, it saves a lot of time and energy for busy parents.
How They’re Similar
- Concept-Based Learning: Both programs focus on building a foundation of understanding rather than rushing through topics.
- Discussion-Driven: They encourage asking questions, making observations, and critical thinking rather than just doing worksheets.
- Deep Diving: With both curricula there is a possibility for deep-diving into topics
- Secular and Science-Focused: Neither program mixes science with faith-based ideas. They stay rooted in evidence and inquiry.
- Mastery Over Memorization: The goal is long-term understanding — not just getting the right answers on a test.
Key Differences
| Feature | BFSU | SCI |
| Structure | Flexible, parent-led sequencing based on a concept map | More traditional, week by week pacing |
| Prepwork | High – parents must read ahead and plan activities | Low – lessons are mostly open and go |
| Cost | Extremely Affordable | More expensive, but not outrageous |
| Parent Involvement | Heavy – Parents act as a science mentor/guide | Moderate – parents follow a prewritten guide |
| Ideal For | Families who enjoy flexibility and customization. | Family who want structure, consistency, and minimal prep |
How to Choose
You might prefer BFSU if you:
- Like customizing your lessons.
- Enjoy learning alongside your child and guiding discussions naturally.
- Have the time and energy to do a little more prep work.
- Are looking for a very affordable science option.
- Like having the flexibility to deep dive on your own schedule
You might prefer SCI if you:
- Need a curriculum you can easily open and start teaching without a lot of extra planning.
- Want a clear weekly schedule to keep you on track.
- Feel overwhelmed by the idea of mapping out your own sequence.
- Are willing to invest a bit more upfront to save time long-term.
Final Thoughts
There’s no wrong choice between BFSU and SCI, it just comes down to your family’s unique needs and teaching style. Both are solid choices for a science curriculum. If you love having flexibility and adapting lessons as you go, BFSU could be perfect. If you’re juggling a busy schedule and need an easy-to-follow path, SCI might be the better match.
Either way, you’ll be giving your child a rich, thoughtful science education that builds real understanding — and that’s the most important thing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is SCI just a fancier version of BFSU?
A: In a way, yes! SCI builds directly from BFSU’s concepts but adds structure, pacing, and ready-to-use lessons. It’s perfect for families who love the ideas behind BFSU but need more support in day-to-day teaching.
Q: Can I combine BFSU and SCI?
A: Technically, yes — some families use SCI as their main guide but pull extra discussions and resources from BFSU for deeper dives. However, for most families, it’s easier to stick with one to avoid confusion.
Q: Which one is better for multi-age teaching?
A: BFSU is often more flexible for teaching multiple ages together since you can easily adapt lessons up or down. SCI is structured by grade bands, but still offers some room for adjusting.
Q: If my child loves science experiments, which should I choose?
A: Both programs include hands-on learning! SCI tends to make the experiments easier to access quickly, while BFSU sometimes suggests broader activities that require more parent creativity.
Q: Is BFSU hard to use without a science background?
A: Not necessarily, but it does require time to read and understand each lesson beforehand. If you’re short on prep time or confidence, SCI might feel more comfortable.
Rabbit Hole Learning 
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