It Couldn't Just Happen

Name: It Couldn't Just Happen
Brand: Thomas Nelsonhttps://www.thomasnelson.com/

by Thomas Nelsonhttps://www.thomasnelson.com/

ScienceGrades K–12

About This Curriculum

A creation science resource that addresses the origin of the universe, life, and evidence for design in nature from a biblical perspective. The book blends science facts, stories, and illustrations to counter evolutionary teaching while exploring topics including the Big Bang, dinosaurs, fossil records, and human origins.

What makes it unique: Gold Medallion Book Award winner featuring full-color illustrations and accessible language that makes complex creation/evolution topics understandable for children while encouraging critical thinking through "Just for Fun" activities at the end of each chapter.

It Couldn't Just Happen: Creation Science Resource for Christian Families

It Couldn't Just Happen is a creation science book by Lawrence Richards that presents a biblical perspective on origins, challenging evolutionary theory through stories, illustrations, and selective scientific facts. The resource covers topics from the Big Bang to human origins, designed for Christian homeschooling families seeking to counter mainstream scientific education with faith-based alternatives.

Best for

Christian homeschooling families seeking creation science resources to supplement or counter mainstream science education, particularly for middle grade students (ages 9-13)

Evaluation Criteria

3 concerns · 2 neutral · 2 insufficient evidence

Knowledge RichConcern

The curriculum presents selective scientific content filtered through a creation science lens rather than building systematic, comprehensive science knowledge.

Critics note the author lacks scientific expertise (Seminary and Psychology background rather than Biology or Physics) and the book 'lacks serious scientific backing' with 'insufficient references and incomplete understanding of evolutionary theory'

Ngss AlignmentConcern

The curriculum explicitly opposes mainstream scientific standards and frameworks, including evolutionary theory central to NGSS.

The resource is designed to 'counter evolutionary teaching' and 'challenge evolutionary theory,' directly conflicting with NGSS standards that include evolution as a fundamental organizing principle

Scientific VocabularyConcern

The book introduces scientific terminology but within a framework that may not align with standard scientific definitions and usage.

Reviews indicate the book addresses 'theories about the origin of the universe and life, the fossil record, dinosaurs, missing links' but critics note it 'presents complex theories like the Big Bang inaccurately'

Direct InstructionNeutral

The resource provides explicit instruction from a creation science perspective but lacks the pedagogical structure of formal curricula.

Reviews describe it as having 'accessible language' and covering topics explicitly, but it's characterized as a 'book' rather than a structured curriculum with systematic instructional design

Hands On IntegrationNeutral

The resource includes some hands-on activities but appears limited in scope and integration with systematic instruction.

Reviews mention 'Just for Fun' sections with 'questions, project ideas, and research assignments' and 'science experiments and simpler activities like stargazing' at chapter ends

Teacher TrainingInsufficient Evidence

No evidence of formal teacher training or professional development materials accompanying the resource.

Reviews describe it as a standalone book resource without mention of teacher guides, training materials, or professional development components

Retrieval PracticeInsufficient Evidence

Limited evidence of systematic retrieval practice or spaced review mechanisms.

Reviews mention end-of-chapter activities and questions, but no evidence of systematic retrieval practice or spaced review across the curriculum

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com, dangitbill.wordpress.com