You should be familiar with sources of science teaching materials. This activity is designed to acquaint you with one or more major science suppliers by using their catalogs to prepare an order.

Materials

Two or more science suppliers' catalogs

Refer to: Science Education Suppliers, National Science Teachers Association (This publication is published as a supplement to the February issue of Science and Children, Science Scope and the Science Teacher)

Procedure

1. Collaborate with at least one other person, but preferably with a small team of peers who collectively represent either all the science teachers of the same grade level in a middle school, or the faculty of a high school science department.

2. Your team is limited to spending $2,500 on science materials for the entire school year.

3. Brainstorm needs for the science program, and then prioritize the items that are needed. Consider the following categories: equipment and supplies, computer software, media (e.g. videos), trade books (e.g. science activities)

4. Consult at least two suppliers of the items that you need in order to make wise decisions about price and quantity.

5. Fill out the order on the sample order form shown in Figure 10.19a.

Minds On Strategies

1. Were your needs satisfied? Did you have adequate budget to fulfil the needs of the team?

2. What other sources of funding for science materials could you explore to meet the needs of the department?

3. Are there funding sources that teachers can apply for to implement innovative programs, and thereby fund science teaching materials? What programs exist in your state?

4. Are there free and inexpensive sources of materials that might be utilized to complete the order? What are they?