Welcome to Eva Varga - Eva Varga

Welcome! My name is Eva Varga and this blog is the online home of Academia Celestia, our homeschool on the southern Oregon coast.

I went from a public school science educator to homeschooling two kids in a project based, relaxed environment.

​If I can leave behind the convention of a brick-and-mortar school and homeschool with a relaxed and natural approach, so can you!

It is now my mission to mentor other families on their journey to homeschool naturally with purpose and joy.

I started blogging in the fall of 2007 to share with our families the things we were doing in our homeschool. Since then I have found a niche in sharing with others our brand of independent & authentic homeschooling.

My mission is to provide teachers with the tools and inspiration to engage their students in meaningful, hands-on science and service learning experiences through tangible curriculum, shared resources, and real-world contexts.

I feel very strongly that a global world view is equally important as our connection to our past and an awareness of our own cultural heritage. Follow along with us on our homeschool journey. Don’t hesitate to join in discussions, and leave comments.

Educational Experience

• Master of Arts in Teaching  ⎜ Elementary Education
• Bachelor of Science ⎜ General Science
• Bachelor of Arts ⎜ International Studies, Minor in Spanish
• National Board Certified ⎜ Middle Childhood
• Taught middle school science for four years and fifth grade for two years prior to having children 
• Developed curriculum and staff development for faculty
• Developed informal instruction and curriculum for natural resource agencies
• Homeschooling mom for 18 years
• Write curriculum for our children based on their interests and styles of learning
• Oregon Master Naturalist
• Certified Interpretive Guide

Why Do We Homeschool? 

 We began our homeschool journey in 2006 when our oldest expressed an interest in learning Chinese. At the same time, our son was diagnosed with congenital nystagmus. He also exhibited behaviors that likely would have been labeled as hyperactivity. As a public school teacher by training, homeschooling was not originally our plan, but we quickly realized that a public school setting was not the best option for us. You can read more about why we chose to homeschool in one of my earliest posts, Why I Want to Homeschool.

Posts I Want You to Read

These are posts which define who we are as homeschoolers and who I am as a blogger. Take the time to read and stick around for more!

• Our AP Exam Experience: Chinese Language & Culture
• Science with Harry Potter: A Thematic Study for Teens
• The Ins & Outs of Science Fairs
• Science Milestones

Popular Pages from Eva Varga

• Inquiry Science
• Citizen Science
• Service Learning
• Field Trips

Please take the time to subscribe, so you don’t miss helpful tips and ideas. I hope you will find encouragement here as well as many practical tips!