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Now Registering: High School Chemistry with an ID Twist

Image source: Discovery Institute Academy.

What do you get when you combine the fundamentals of chemistry with intelligent design concepts, taught by an experienced, enthusiastic instructor in an innovative online learning environment? You get Discovery Institute Academy’s High School Chemistry, a two-semester, virtual, synchronous, and lab-based course which integrates the fundamentals of chemistry with intelligent design concepts topics where applicable. For a new episode of ID the Future, I caught up with course instructor Kristin Marais to discuss the successes of the first year and what makes the class unique.

Research shows that teachers make or break a student’s learning experience. Marais brings 15 years of educational experience to the table, and her palpable enthusiasm for chemistry inspires students to learn: “I have never in my life had a teacher (besides my parents) who was as dedicated and excited as you!” said one 2023-2024 student. 89 percent of students in the ’23-’24 cohort reported that they learned a lot in the course, and the same majority found the course material interesting and engaging. 

But isn’t learning online a lonely experience? It can be, but not this class! Discovery Institute Academy’s High School Chemistry course is synchronous. That means everyone moves forward together. Students enjoy live weekly video class sessions, optional one-on-one drop-ins to work on homework or discuss questions, at-home wet labs, fun virtual lab simulations, helpful teacher-student conversation threads on every submitted assignment, and more. Download the podcast or listen to it here.

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Andrew McDiarmid

Director of Podcasting and Senior Fellow
Andrew McDiarmid is Director of Podcasting and a Senior Fellow at the Discovery Institute. He is also a contributing writer to MindMatters.ai. He produces ID The Future, a podcast from the Center for Science & Culture that presents the case, research, and implications of intelligent design and explores the debate over evolution. He writes and speaks regularly on the impact of technology on human living. Discovery Institute co-founder and bestselling author George Gilder has called McDiarmid "a scintillating venturer beyond the surfaces of technology to their hidden depths and meanings." His work has appeared in numerous publications, including the New York Post, Houston Chronicle, The Daily Wire, San Francisco Chronicle, Real Clear Politics, Newsmax, The American Spectator, The Federalist, Technoskeptic Magazine, and elsewhere. In addition to his roles at the Discovery Institute, he promotes his homeland as host of the Scottish culture and music podcast Simply Scottish, available anywhere podcasts are found. Andrew holds an MA in Teaching from Seattle Pacific University and a BA in English/Creative Writing from the University of Washington. Learn more about his work at andrewmcdiarmid.org.

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assignmentsChemistryDiscovery Institute Academyeducationhigh schoolID the Futureintelligent designKristin Maraisonline learningstudentsvirtual lab simulationswet labs