Equipment and Supplies for
Science, Nature-Study, Natural History,
Ecology, Environmental Sciences and Environmental Education
Favorite Website Connections
WEBSITE |
Comments |
National Science Teachers Association Suppliers Guide Webpage |
This is probably the best one stop location to find connections to science equipment suppliers. |
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An excellent company that focuses on nature-study as well as science education. They have most of the things you need. I've found them to be very helpful on the phone and the orders arrive quick and correct. |
National Science Teacher's Association Free Materials Website |
Looking for FREE Stuff? NSTA Reports' Teachers' Grab Bag Is Online
Well, you've just hit the jackpot. NSTA Reports' ever-popular column—Teachers' Grab Bag—is on the web. NSTA Reports is NSTA's source of news and information for and about science education, published six times a year for NSTA members only. Check out http://www.nsta.org/resourcesgrabbag, where you can find hundreds of free and almost free items such as videos, publications, CD-ROMs, lab kits, and more. |
IRIS Seismographs in Schools Program |
The IRIS Seismographs In Schools program, funded by NSF, provides simple seismographs (the AS1) capable of recording earthquakes from around the world. Students can analyze data from their seismograph and from other schools to determine the magnitude and locations of earthquakes.
Near-real-time recordings of the school seismograph can be displayed on a Web site. IRIS distributes up to 30 AS1 seismographs per year, and over 100 AS1s have been given out to K-12 schools, science centers and organizations and universities. |
Common Science Equipment Every Elementary Classroom Should Have!
Compiled by J. William Hug
What kind of supplies should a well equipped elementary classroom have? I put together this list for you that has many of the common items you should be thinking about. You can add to this list and make suggestions for things that should be included. My suggestion is that you can get many of these items very cheaply at garage sales, thrift stores, and even around your house. A great way to get items is to send letters home with students asking parents to volunteer to give things to your classroom. You might also ask the principal at your next job interview how many of these items the school provides to gather information about how much support you'll have as a teacher. In this age of small school supply budgets it might be very beneficial to get a science equipment box and start putting things in it so that you will be ready to go when the time comes.
Dr. Hug's Top Twenty Science Equipment Essentials
Aquariums, water & old ones from garage sales are fine for non-water
Aluminum foil pie pans/trays or old cookie sheets for catching spills
Balances/Scales for measuring weight
Bandanas (for blindfolds, spills, covering things, games)
Glass jars - baby food and quart size
Graduated cylinders, 50 ml or larger
Magnifying lenses
Measuring - meter sticks
Measuring - metric rulers
Measuring cups - metric
Paper towels
Plastic bags: re-sealable style, all sizes
Plastic containers: quart size or larger
Plastic cups 10 oz. and 12oz.
Sponges
Spoons - garage sale metal and/or plastic
Storage containers to organize classroom supplies & protect items
Thermometers, Celsius, non-mercury
Trash bags
First Aid kit, small with adhesive strips, moist wash-up towels (check school policies)
Cleaning Supplies
Rags, Bucket, Broom, Dustpan, Cleaning Solution (vinegar and water works great)
General Use Items
Aluminum foil
Bags, paper; Bags, kitchen trash
Balloons
Containers: Baby food jars; Bottles: assorted, 2-liter plastic, juice and water
Bowl, mixing or other large containers
Buttons
Cages
Candles
Clay, modeling
Clips, paper
Clips, binder
Crayons
Drinking straws
Film canisters, plastic, 35 mm
Funnels
Glue, school
Matches
Markers
Paper, poster; Paper, scrap; Paper, construction
Pencils, #2; Pencils, colored
Rubber Bands
Shoeboxes
Scissors
Strainers, Kitchen
String
Tape, masking and clear
Toothpicks
Tweezers
Common Science Activity Items
Balls, tennis, rubber, golf, beach, playground, ping-pong, etc
Board, 1 meter by 30 cm to use as incline plane
Flashlights
Batteries: AA and D; Bell Wire; Wire strippers
Hot Plate
Beakers, 100ml or larger
Compass, magnetic
Land snails
Owl pellets
Magnets: all shapes and sizes
Marbles
Measuring spoons, Measuring cups
Microscopes
Mirrors
Prisms
Flower Pots
Potting soil
Lights, fluorescent or grow lights
Trowels
Sand
Seeds: many types, including grass, mustard, radish, red kidney beans, lima beans, pumpkin, corn
Shell collection
Rock collection
Socks, White athletic tube
Spring scale calibrated in Newton
Tuning forks
Wooden Blocks
Weights: Washers, sinkers, Pennies
Grocery Store Items
Baking soda, Corn Oil, Cornstarch, Corn Syrup, Food coloring, Salt , Sugar, Vinegar
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