Science Kit Services, Schedule & Delivery
Science Kit Services:
The SMC provides science kits to grades K through 8, focusing primarily on K through 6. Each grade level receives three kits per year to cover three basic science strands: physical, earth and life. Supplemental kits are available for further study of these and other disciplines, such as astronomy, the environment and technology.
Kit adoption is determined by a team of lead science teachers, administrators and business and community leaders with a commitment to science education. FOSS (Full Option Science System) - a series of nationally recognized science kits developed by the Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Berkeley - and STC (Science, Technology and Children) Middle School are the predominant choices.
Science Kit Schedule:
Science kits are distributed on a synchronous rotation schedule so that every class in a given school is studying the same strand of science at the same time. Ideally, science kits are used three times each school year, thus maximizing utilization of investments in kits.
The kit rotation schedule is designed so that a kit spends a minimum of eight weeks in classrooms and minimum of 20 working days in the SMC for replenishment. The kit replenishment schedule is staggered so that transportation and replenishment of kits do not cause production bottlenecks.
Kit Transportation:
Science kit distribution and pickup for school buildings is facilitated by the SMC. Science kits are staged (prepared for delivery) by school district, school building, science strand (physical, earth, and life) and kit title. Kits are delivered / picked up by a contract carrier to each individual building. Science kits weight from 20 to 40 pounds each. The SMC has over 1,800 science kits in stock.
Live Organism Delivery:
Live critters are used to enhance four of the Life Science kits. Crayfish, goldfish, guppies, land snails, pond snails, amphipods, sow bugs, pill bugs, mealworms, darkling beetles, wax worms, crickets, walking sticks, red worms, earthworms, butterfly larvae and milkweed bug eggs are distributed to each classroom teacher following the critter delivery schedule. Most of these critters are purchased in bulk, all "live" critters are returned to the SMC to help reduce the costs.
Materials Sources:
Science materials come from a variety of sources including Delta Education, Carolina Biological, Niles Biological, KCDA Purchasing Cooperative, Nasco, and Sunshine Mealworms. Local vendors include Fred Meyer, PetSmart, Hi-School Pharmacy and United Grocer.