Mystery Science

Mystery Science is a K–5 video‑based science curriculum; you log into your membership, pick a “mystery,” press play, and the lesson guides kids through engaging videos, discussion prompts, and a hands‑on activity using simple supplies.

Parents or caregivers hit play, pause when prompted for discussion, supervise experiments, and help manage cleanup; older kids can do more independently but still benefit from you joining the demos.

Kids should be able to listen to 10–20 minute videos, follow directions, and—when activities include writing—compose short responses; reliable internet and a printer are very helpful.

Mystery Science offers high‑engagement video lessons and simple hands‑on activities, making it very friendly for ADHD, autistic, and younger kids who need concrete demonstrations. Many families adapt labs using household materials and pause videos frequently so slower processors or anxious learners can keep up.

Mystery Science delivers most content through high-quality videos and guided hands-on investigations rather than long textbook readings, which makes science much more accessible for dyslexic learners. Printed materials are minimal and easy to read aloud or adapt, so kids with reading challenges can focus on understanding concepts instead of struggling through dense text.

Mystery Science pairs highly visual video lessons with simple, hands-on experiments, giving sensory-seeking kids clear structure plus chances to touch, build, and observe real materials.

Mystery Science highlights that special‑education teachers successfully use its lessons with students who have a wide range of abilities, and features like closed captions, transcripts, adjustable video speed, and highly visual, step‑by‑step activities make it especially supportive for children with processing, comprehension, or language challenges.

Often a hit with 2e kids who ask a million “why” questions. Short videos plus hands‑on activities let analytical, curious learners dive deep without needing to slog through long readings; you can scale writing up or down as needed.

Mystery Science delivers most content through high-quality videos and guided hands-on investigations rather than long textbook readings, which makes science much more accessible for dyslexic learners. Printed materials are minimal and easy to read aloud or adapt, so kids with reading challenges can focus on understanding concepts instead of struggling through dense text.

Digital memberships are generally non‑refundable once purchased, but there is a truly free trial that expires automatically without payment, and Mystery Packs are sold as final sale with no refunds or returns.

Not ideal as a sole resource for high school, for teens craving deep, math-heavy science, or for families wanting a very classical, text-and-notebook approach. It can also be a poor fit if your child strongly dislikes videos or can’t handle the mild mess and noise that come with hands-on activities.

Discovery Education continues to add mysteries, refine standards alignment, and offers a homeschool membership that provides full K–5 access through a defined school‑year window. 

Skim each “mystery” on Sunday, gather that week’s supplies in a single bin, and aim for one lesson split across two days—video and discussion one day, investigation and a quick notebook sketch the next—to get more retention without adding overwhelm.