APPENDIX A: PUBLISHERS AND SUPPLIERS
Appendix A provides names, addresses, and phone and fax numbers for the publishers and suppliers of books and materials annotated in this guide. The list is arranged alphabetically.
Some companies distribute print publications and curriculum materials or science apparatus as well, and some only one or the other of these categories. Before placing an order, readers should contact the publishers or suppliers directly for current ordering information (including shipping charges).
In compiling the guide, every effort was made to provide accurate, up-to-date bibliographic information. Annually updated information can be found in directories such as NSTA Science Education Suppliers (see 7.21), or in standard references such as Books in Print at local libraries or bookstores.
The annotations in this guide provide International Standard Book Numbers (ISBNs), when those were assigned, to help readers obtain commercially distributed materials. Some publishers use their own catalog numbers, however, so publishers should be consulted before ordering an item.
Readers are urged to seek out local sources for commercial products and recycled materials. They may also want to contact the new suppliers that are continually opening their doors.
AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science)
Education Department
1333 H St., NW
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 326-6605
Fax: (202) 371-9849
AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science)
Project on Science, Technology, and Disability
1333 H St., NW
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 326-6630
Fax: (202) 371-9849
Acorn Naturalists
17300 E. 17th St.
Suite J-236
Tustin, CA 92680
(800) 422-8886
Fax: (800) 452-2802
Addison-Wesley Publishing Company
School Services
One Jacob Way
Reading, MA 01867
(800) 552-2259
Fax: (800) 333-3328
AIMS Education Foundation
P.O. Box 8120
Fresno, CA 93747-8120
(209) 255-4094
Fax: (209) 255-6396
Air and Waste Management Association
Public Education Programs
One Gateway Center
3rd Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 232-3444
Fax: (412) 232-3450
Allyn and Bacon
(See Prentice Hall/Allyn and Bacon)
Alpha Publishing Company
1910 Hidden Point Rd.
Annapolis, MD 21401-9720
(800) 842-6696
Fax: (410) 757-7868
American Chemical Society
(To order periodicals)
P.O. Box 3337
Columbus, Ohio 43210
(800) 333-9511
Fax: (614) 447-3671
American Forest Foundation
1111 19th St., NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 463-2462
Fax: (202) 463-2461
American Water Works Association
Member Services
6666 W. Quincy Ave.
Denver, CO 80235
(800) 926-7337
Fax: (303) 347-0804
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
1259 No. Pitt St.
Alexandria, VA 22314-1403
(703) 549-9110
Fax: (703) 549-3891
Association of Science-Technology Centers
1025 Vermont Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 783-7200
Fax: (202) 783-7207
Beech Tree Books
William Morrow and Company
1350 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019
(800) 843-9389
Fax: (201) 227-6849
R. R. Bowker
P.O. Box 31
New Providence, NJ 07974
(800) 521-8110
Fax: (908) 665-6688
BP International
(See Chemical Industry Education Centre)
California Academy of Sciences
Department of Educational Media
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 750-7114
Fax: (415) 750-7346
California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom
1601 Exposition Blvd., FB 16
Sacramento, CA 95815
(916) 942-4380
Fax: (916) 923-5318
Cambridge University Press
(Distribution Center for curriculum units from Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, England, and Melbourne, Australia)
110 Midland Ave.
Port Chester, NY 10573-4930
(914) 937-9600
Fax: (914) 937-4712
Carolina Biological Supply Company
2700 York Rd.
Burlington, NC 27215
(800) 334-5551
Fax: (800) 222-7112
Carson-Dellosa Publishing Company
P.O. Box 35665
Greensboro, NC 27425-5665
(800) 321-0943
Fax: (800) 535-2669
CESI
(See Council for Elementary Science International)
Chemical Industry Education Centre
University of York
Heslington, York YO1 5DD
United Kingdom
011-44-1904-432600
Fax: 011-44-1904-432605
Children's Book Council
568 Broadway
Suite 404
New York, NY 10012
(212) 966-1990
Fax: (212) 966-2073
Children's Television Workshop
(For Kid City)
P.O. Box 53349
Boulder, CO 80322-3349
(800) 678-0613
Children's Television Workshop
(For 3-2-1 Contact)
P.O. Box 53051
Boulder, CO 80322-3051
(800) 678-0613
Cobblestone Publishing
7 School St.
Peterborough, NH 03458
(603) 924-7209
Fax: (603) 924-7380
College of William and Mary, Center for Gifted Education
232 Jamestown Rd.
Williamsburg, VA 23185
(804) 221-2362
Fax: (804) 221-2184
The Communication Project
(See Scholastic Canada)
Cornell University
Instructional Materials Service
Department of Education
420 Kennedy Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853
(607) 255-1837
Fax: (607) 255-7905
Corwin Press
2455 Teller Rd.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
(805) 499-0721
Fax: (805) 499-0871
Council for Elementary Science International (CESI)
c/o Dr. John Penick, Publications, Coordinator
789 Van Allen
Iowa City, IA 52242
(319) 335-1183
Fax: (319) 335-1188
The Cousteau Society
870 Greenbrier Circle, Suite 402
Chesapeake, VA 23320
(804) 523-9335
Fax: (804) 523-2747
Creative Publications
5623 W. 115th St.
Worth, IL 60482
(800) 624-0822
Fax: (800) 624-0821
Creative Ventures
P.O. Box 2286
West Lafayette, IN 47906
Cuisenaire Company of America
10 Bank St.
P.O. Box 5026
White Plains, NY 10606
(800) 237-3142
Fax: (914) 997-2192
Curriculum Publications Clearinghouse
Western Illinois University
Horrabin Hall 46
Macomb, IL 61455
(309) 298-1411
Fax: (309) 298-2869
Dale Seymour Publications
P.O. Box 10888
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(800) 872-1100
(415) 324-3424
Dellasta
(See Mondo Publishing; Dellasta publications available in United States from Mondo.)
Delmar
(See distributor: International Thomson Publishing)
Delmarva Power
Manager, Consumer and Community Relations
800 King St.
P.O. Box 231
Wilmington, DE 19899
(302) 429-3250
Fax: (302) 429-3618
Delta Education
P.O. Box 915
Hudson, NH 03051-0915
(800) 258-1302
Fax: (800) 880-6520
Discover Science Program
105 Terry Dr.
Suite 120
Newtown, PA 18940-3425
(800) 523-5948
Fax: (215) 579-8589
Education Development Center
55 Chapel St.
Newton, MA 02158-1060
(617) 969-7100
Fax: (617) 332-4318
Educational Products Information Exchange (EPIE) Institute
103-3 W. Montauk Hwy.
Hampton Bays, NY 11946
(516) 728-9100
Fax: (516) 728-9228
Educators Progress Service
214 Center St.
Randolph, WI 53956
(414) 326-3126
Fax: (414) 326-3127
Eisenhower National Clearinghouse
1929 Kenny Rd.
Columbus, OH 43210-1079
(614) 292-7784
(800) 621-5785
Fax: (614) 292-2066
Encyclopaedia Britannica Educational Corporation
310 So. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60604-9839
(800) 554-9862
Fax: (312) 347-7903
Enslow Publishing
Bloy St. and Ramsey Ave.
Box 777
Hillside, NJ 07205
(800) 398-2504
Fax: (908) 964-4116
ERIC Clearinghouse for Science, Mathematics, and Environmental Education
The Ohio State University
1929 Kenny Rd.
Columbus, OH 43210-1080
(800) 276-0462
Fax: (614) 292-0263
Evans Brothers
(See Trafalgar Square; Evans Brothers publications available in United States from Trafalgar Square.)
The Exploratorium
Mail Order Dept.
3601 Lyon St.
San Francisco, CA 94123
(800) 359-9899
Fax: (415) 561-0307
Federal Emergency Management Agency
P.O. Box 70274
Washington, DC 20024
(202) 646-2812
Fax: (202) 646-3104
Follett Software Company
1391 Corporate Dr.
McHenry, IL 60050-7041
(800) 323-3397
(815) 344-8700
Fax: (815) 344-8774
4-H Youth Programs, Cooperative Extension Service, Michigan State University
(See 4-H Youth Programs, Michigan State University Extension)
4-H Youth Programs Michigan State University Extension
6H Berkey Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824-1111
(517) 355-0180
Fax: (517) 355-6748
Franklin Institute Science Museum
20th & The Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 448-1200
Fax: (215) 448-1235
Franklin Watts
5440 No. Cumberland Ave.
Chicago, IL 60656
(800) 672-6672
Fax: (312) 374-4329
Fulcrum Publishing Company
350 Indiana St.
Suite 350
Golden, CO 80401
(800) 992-2908
Fax: (303) 279-7111
Geothermal Education Office
664 Hilary Dr.
Tiburon, CA 94920
(800) 866-4436
(415) 435-7737
Good Apple
1204 Buchanan St.
P.O. Box 299
Carthage, IL 62321-0299
(800) 435-7234
Fax: (217) 357-3987
Great Plains National (GPN)
P.O. Box 80669
Lincoln, NE 68501-0669
(800) 228-4630
Fax: (402) 472-4076
Harcourt Brace and Company, Australia
30-52 Smidmore St.
Locked Bag 16
Marrickville NSW 2204 Australia
Harcourt Brace Jovanovich (Australia)
(See Harcourt Brace and Company, Australia)
Harcourt Brace Publishers
6277 Sea Harbor Drive
Orlando, FL 32887
(800) 782-4479
(800) 433-0001 (FL)
Fax: (800) 874-6418
HarperCollins
1000 Keystone Industrial Park
Scranton, PA 18512-4621
(800) 982-4377
Fax: (800) 922-4090
Heinemann/Heinemann Educational Books
361 Hanover St.
Portsmouth, NH 03801
(800) 541-2086
(603) 431-7894
Fax: (800) 847-0938
Heldref Publications
1319 18th St., NW
Washington, DC 20036-1802
(800) 365-9753
(202) 296-6267
Fax: (202) 296-5149
Holt, Rinehart and Winston
(See distributor: Harcourt Brace Publishers, Orlando, FL)
How the Weatherworks
1522 Baylor Ave.
Rockville, MD 20850
(301) 762-7669
Idea Factory
10710 Dixon Dr.
Riverview, FL 33569
(800) 331-6204
Fax: (813) 677-0373
International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
1789 Agate St.
Eugene, OR 97403-1923
(503) 346-4414
Fax: (503) 346-5890
International Thomson Publishing
7625 Empire Dr.
Florence, KY 41042
(800) 347-7707
Fax: (800) 451-3661
Jossey-Bass Publishers
350 Sansome St.
San Francisco, CA 94104
(415) 433-1767
Fax: (800) 605-BOOK
Keep America Beautiful
Mill River Plaza
9 W. Broad St.
Stamford, CT 06902
(203) 323-8987
Fax: (203) 325-9199
Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company
4050 Westmark Dr.
Dubuque, IA 52002
(800) 700-3544
Fax: (800) 772-9165
Kids Can Press
29 Birch Ave.
Toronto, Ontario M4V 1E2 Canada
Kids Discover
170 Fifth Ave.
6th Floor
New York, NY 10010
(800) 284-8276
Klutz Press
2121 Staunton Ct.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(415) 857-0888
Fax: (415) 857-9110
Kraus International Publications
358 Saw Mill River Rd.
Millwood, NY 10546-1035
(800) 223-8323
Fax: (914) 762-1195
LaMotte Company
P.O. Box 329
Chestertown, MD 21620
(800) 344-3100
Fax: (410) 778-6394
Lawrence Erlbaum Associates
365 Broadway
Hillsdale, NJ 07642
(800) 926-6579
Fax: (210) 236-0072
Lawrence Hall of Science
(See LHS GEMS or LHS GEMS/PEACHES)
Learning
P.O. Box 54294
Boulder, CO 80322
(800) 753-1843
Learning Spectrum
1390 Westridge Dr.
Portola Valley, CA 94028
(800) 873-7672
Fax: (415) 851-7871
The Learning Team
10 Long Pond Rd.
Armonk, NY 10504
(800) 793-TEAM
Fax: (914) 273-2227
LEGO Dacta
P.O. Box 1600
Enfield, CT 06083-1600
(800) 527-8339
Fax: (203) 763-2466
Let's Get Growing
1900 Commercial Way
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
(408) 464-1868
LHS GEMS
Lawrence Hall of Science
University of California
Berkeley, CA 94720
(510) 642-7771
Fax: (510) 643-0309
LHS GEMS/PEACHES
Lawrence Hall of Science
University of California
Berkeley, CA 94720
(510) 642-7771
Fax: (510) 643-0309
Linda Poore
1964 La France Ave.
South Pasadena, CA 91030
(818) 441-2048 (same for voice & fax)
Macmillan Publishing Company
(See distributor: Prentice Hall/Allyn and Bacon)
Massachusetts Audubon Society
Educational Resources
South Great Rd.
Lincoln, MA 01773
(617) 259-9500
Fax: (617) 259-8899
Michigan State University Bulletin Office
10B Agriculture Hall
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1039
(517) 353-6740
Fax: (517) 353-7168
The Mid-Atlantic Center for Race Equity
(See Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium)
Mid-Atlantic Equity Center, American University
(See Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium)
Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium
5454 Wisconsin Ave.
Suite 655
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
(301) 657-7741
Fax: (301) 657-8782
Milliken Publishing Company
1100 Research Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63132
(800) 325-4136
Fax: (314) 991-4807
Mondo Publishing
One Plaza Rd.
Greenvale, NY 11050
(800) 242-3650
Fax: (516) 484-7813
Montgomery County Public Schools
Division of Academic Programs
Office of Instruction and Program Development
Elementary Science Coordinator
850 Hungerford Dr.
CESC Rm. 258
Rockville, MD 20850
(301) 279-3421
Fax: (301) 279-3153
Morrow Junior Books
1350 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019
(800) 843-9389
Fax: (212) 261-6689
Museum of Science
Science Kit Rental Program
Science Park
Boston, MA 02114-1099
(800) 722-5487
Fax: (617) 589-0474
National Academy Press
2101 Constitution Ave., NW
Lockbox 285
Washington, DC 20055
(800) 624-6242
(202) 334-3313 (Washington, DC, metropolitan area)
Fax: (202) 334-2451
National Air and Space Museum
Office of Education
Smithsonian, MRC-305
Washington, DC 20560
(202) 786-2101
National Arbor Day Foundation
100 Arbor Ave.
Nebraska City, NE 68410
(402) 474-5655
Fax: (402) 474-0820
National Association of Biology Teachers
11250 Roger Bacon Dr.
Reston, VA 22090
(800) 406-0775
Fax: (703) 435-5582
National Center for Improving Science Education
(See The Network)
2000 L St., NW
Suite 603
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 467-0652
Fax: (202) 467-0659
National Consortium for Environmental Education and Training
University of Michigan
School of Natural Resources and Environment
Dana Building
430 East University Ave.
Ann Arbor, II 48109-1195
(313) 998-6726
Fax: (313) 998-6580
National Energy Foundation
5225 Wiley Post Wa
Suite 170
Salt Lake City, UT 84116
(801) 539-1406
Fax: (801) 539-1451
National Energy Information Center
U.S. Department of Energy
Forrestal Bldg.—EI-231
Room 1F-048
1000 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20585
(202) 586-8800
Fax: (202) 586-0727
National 4-H Council
(See National 4-H Supply Service)
National 4-H Council Environmental
Stewardship Program (See National 4-11 Supply Service)
National 4-H Supply Service
7100 Connecticut Ave.
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
(301) 961-2934
Fax: (301) 961-2937
National Gardening Association
180 Flynn Ave.
Burlington, VT 05401
(800) LETSGRO
Fax: (800) 863-5962
National Geographic Society
Educational Services
1145 17th St., NW
Washington, DC 20036-4688
(800) 368-2728
Fax: (301) 921-1575
National Geographic Society
(To order periodicals)
P.O. Box 2330
Washington, DC 20078-9955
(800) NGS-LINE
Fax: (301) 921-1575
National Science Resources Center
Smithsonian Institution, MRC-403
Arts and Industries Bldg.
Room 1201
Washington, DC 20560
(202) 357-2555
Fax: (202) 786-2028
National Science Teachers Association
(Formerly located in Washington, DC; currently in Arlington, VA; see next entry.)
National Science Teachers Association
1840 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22201-3000
(800) 722-NSTA
Fax: (703) 522-6091
National Wildlife Federation
(To order curriculum units)
8925 Leesburg Pike
Vienna, VA 22184
(800) 432-6564
National Wildlife Federation
(To order periodicals)
P.O. Box 777
Mount Morris, IL 61054-8276
(800) 588-1650
Fax: (815) 734-1223
The Network
300 Brickstone Sq.
Suite 900
Andover, MA 01810
(800) 877-5400
Fax: (508) 475-9220
Office of Elementary and Secondary Education
Smithsonian Institution, MRC-402
Arts and Industries Bldg.
Room 1163
Washington, DC 20560
(202) 357-2425
Fax: (202) 357-2116
Optical Data Corporation
30 Technology Dr.
Warren, NJ 07059
(800) 524-2481
Fax: (908) 755-0577
Owl Communications
25 Boxwood Lane
Buffalo, NY 14227
(800) 387-4379 (U.S.)
Fax: (416) 971-5294 (Canada)
Oxford University Press
2001 Evans Road
Cary, NC 27513
(800) 451-7556
Fax: (919) 677-1303
Prentice Hall/Allyn and Bacon
200 Old Tappan Rd.
Old Tappan, NJ 07675
(800) 233-1360
Fax: (800) 445-6991
Project WILD
5430 Grosvenor Lane
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 493-5447
Fax: (301) 493-5627
Reading Is Fundamental
600 Maryland Ave., SW
Suite 600
Washington, DC 20024
(202) 287-3220
Fax: (202) 287-3196
The Regional School Energy Extension Project, Energy Center, Sonoma State University
(See SSU Academic Foundation)
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
1212 Mission Canyon Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 682-4726
Fax: (805) 563-0352
Santa Barbara County Education Office
(See Santa Barbara Botanic Garden)
Sargent-Welch Scientific Co.
911 Commerce Ct.
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
(510) 642-8718
Fax: (800) 676-2540
Scholastic Canada Ltd.
175 Hillmount Rd.
Markham, Ontario L6C 1Z7 Canada
(905) 887-7323
Scholastic Canada and The Communication Project
164 Tomlinson Circle
Markham, Ontario L34 9K2 Canada
(416) 940-2973
Scholastic, Inc.
(To order curriculum units, reference books, and periodicals except Electronic Learning)
2931 E. McCarty St.
Jefferson City, MO 65102
(800) 325-6149
Fax: (314) 635-5881
Scholastic, Inc.
Instructional Publishing Group
(To order Scholastic publications, contact Scholastic, Inc., Jefferson City, MO.)
555 Broadway
New York, NY 10012
(212) 343-6100
Scholastic, Inc.
(To order Electronic Learning)
P.O. Box 53796
Boulder, CO 80306
(800) 544-2917
Fax: (303) 604-7455
Scholastic Professional Books
(See Scholastic, Inc., Jefferson City, MO)
Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education
8480 Hagy's Mill Rd.
Philadelphia, PA 19128-1998
(215) 482-7300
Fax: (215) 482-8185
Science Kit and Boreal Laboratories
Elementary Science Division
777 East Park Dr.
Tonawanda, NY 14150-6764
(800) 828-7777
Fax: (716) 874-9572
Scienceland, Inc.
501 Fifth Ave., Suite 2108
New York, NY 10017-6165
Fax: (212) 490-2187
Science Service, Inc.
Subscription Dept.
P.O. Box 1925
Marion, OH 43305
(800) 347-6969
Fax: (614) 382-5866
Science Teachers' Association of Western Australia
Suite 9
25 Walters Dr.
Osborne Park 6017, Western Australia
011-61-9-244-1987
Fax: 011-61-9-244-2601
Science Weekly, Inc.
Subscription Dept.
P.O. Box 70638
Chevy Chase, MD 20813
(800) 493-3559
(301) 656-3777
Fax: (301) 680-9240
Sea World
(See Sea World of California)
Sea World of California
Educational Materials
1720 South Shores Rd.
San Diego, CA 92109-7995
(800) 23-SHAMU
Fax: (619) 226-3634
SEMPCO
99 Factory St.
P.O. Box 3263
Nashua, NH 03061
(603) 889-1830
Silver Burdett Ginn
Education School Group
P.O. Box 2649
Columbus, OH 43216
(800) 848-9500
Fax: (614) 771-7361
Smithsonian Institution
(See Office of Elementary and Secondary Education)
Solomon Publishing
5830 Sovereign Dr.
Cincinnati, OH 45241
(513) 489-3033
SSU Academic Foundation
c/o Sonoma State University
Environmental Studies and Planning
1800 E. Cotati Ave.
Ronnert Park, CA 94928
(707) 664-2306
Fax: (707) 664-2505
Sunburst Communications
101 Castleton St.
P.O. Box 100
Pleasantville, NY 10570-0100
(800) 321-7511
Fax: (914) 747-4109
Superintendent of Documents
U.S. Government Printing Office
P.O. Box 371954
Pittsburgh, PA 15240-7954
(202) 512-1800
Fax: (202) 512-2250
Teacher Ideas Press/Libraries Unlimited
Box 6633
Englewood, CO 80155-6633
(800) 237-6124
Fax: (303) 220-8843
Teachers College Press
c/o AIDC
P.O. Box 20
Williston, VT 05495
(800) 488-2665
Fax: (802) 864-7626
Teachers' Laboratory
P.O. Box 6480
Brattleboro, VT 05302-6480
(802) 254-3457
Fax: (802) 254-5233
Tennessee Valley Authority
P.O. Box 1010
Muscle Shoals, AL 35662-1010
(205) 386-2714
Fax: (205) 386-2513
Tom Snyder Productions
80 Coolidge Hill Rd.
Watertown, MA 02172-2817
(800) 342-0236
Trafalgar Square
P.O. Box 257
North Pomfret, VT 05053
(800) 423-4525
Fax: (802) 457-1913
University of Toronto Press
5201 Dufferin St.
Downsview, Ontario M3H 5T8 Canada
(800) 565-9523
Fax: (416) 667-7832
University of Wisconsin
Center for Biology Education
Department of Plant Pathology
1630 Linden Drive
495 Russell Labs
Madison, WI 53706
(608) 262-6496
Fax: (608) 263-2626
U.S. Department of Education Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI)
555 New Jersey Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20208-5570
(202) 219-1385
Fax: (202) 219-1402
U.S. Forest Service, Intermountain Region
Public Affairs Office
324 25th Street
Ogden, UT 85501
(801) 625-5827
Fax: (801) 625-5240
U.S. Government Printing Office
(See Superintendent of Documents)
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Office of Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20231
(703) 305-8341
Fax: (703) 308-5258
Vermont Institute of Natural Science
Churchill Road
Rural Route #2
Box 532
Woodstock, VT 05091
(802) 457-2779 (Both voice and fax)
Videodiscovery
1700 Westlake Ave., No.
Suite 600
Seattle, WA 98109-3012
(800) 548-3472
(206) 285-5400
Fax: (206) 285-9245
Videodiscovery
4658 Clinton St.
Burnaby, B.C. V5J 2K7 Canada
(604) 430-6397
Fax: (604) 451-5534
Western Illinois University
(See Curriculum Publications Clearinghouse)
WGBH Boston
ATTN: Print and Outreach
125 Western Ave.
Boston, MA 02134
(617) 492-2777 X3848
Fax: (617) 787-1639
The Whale Museum
P.O. Box 954
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
(206) 378-4710
Fax: (206) 378-5790
Whitman Distribution Center
10 Water St.
4th Floor
Lebanon, h03748
(603) 448-0317
Fax: (603) 448-2576
Wildlife Education
9820 Willow Creek Rd.
Suite 300
San Diego, CA 92131-1112
(800) 477-5034
Fax: (619) 578-9658
John Wiley
1 Wiley Dr.
Somerset, NJ 08875
(800) CALL-WILEY
Fax: (908) 302-2300
William Morrow Publishing Co.
39 Plymouth St.
Fairfield, NJ 07004
(800) 943-9389
Fax: (201) 227-6849
Wings for Learning
(See Sunburst Communications)
Young Entomologists' Society
1915 Peggy Place
Lansing, MI 48910-2553
(517) 887-0499
Fax: (517) 887-0499
Young Naturalist Company
1900 No. Main
Newton, KS 67114
(316) 283-4103
Fax: (316) 283-9108
Zephyr Press
P.O. Box 66006
Tucson, AZ 85728
(602) 322-5090
Fax: (520) 323-9402
APPENDIX B: NSRC EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR CURRICULUM MATERIALS
Consistent with the National Science Resources Center's (NSRC's) philosophy of science teaching and with the recently published National Science Education Standards of the National Research Council, the materials included in Resources for Teaching Elementary School Science are hands-on and inquiry-centered. Briefly described, such materials provide opportunities for children to learn through direct observation and experimentation; they engage students in experiences not simply to confirm the "right" answer but to investigate the nature of things and to arrive at explanations that are scientifically correct and satisfying to children; and they offer students opportunities to experiment productively, to ask questions and find their own answers, and to develop patience, persistence, and confidence in their ability to tackle and solve real problems.
To produce evaluation criteria for identifying the most effective print instructional materials available, the NSRC drew upon three primary sources:
-
the experience of teachers, superintendents, principals, and science curriculum coordinators across the United States;
-
the quality standards identified by the NSRC for evaluating units of science instruction in its ongoing review of science curriculum materials under the auspices of the National Academy of Sciences and the Smithsonian Institution; and
-
the National Science Education Standards, which were under development at the same time as this resource guide.
The evaluation criteria that NSRC developed were applied in the structured review process of curriculum materials for this guide. These criteria consist of two sets of questions. The first focuses on pedagogical issues, the second on science issues.
The pedagogical criteria elaborate on the following key questions: (1) Do the materials address the important goals of elementary science teaching and learning? (2) Are inquiry and activity the basis of the learning experiences? (3) Are the topic of the unit and the modes of instruction developmentally appropriate? Additional issues related to presentation and format and to hands-on science materials are then considered.
The set of criteria on science issues expands upon the key questions of whether the science content is accurate, up to date, and effectively presented. It then focuses on aspects of the way science is presented in the materials—for example, whether the writing style is interesting and engaging while respecting scientific language.
Two major considerations should be kept in mind when one is using this document:
-
The NSRC evaluation criteria provide two gauges for assessing curriculum materials: first, they enunciate specific goals and, second, taken as a whole, they represent the overall level of quality necessary for materials to be effective. Therefore, while materials may not meet each individual criterion completely, they can still reach the overall level of effectiveness defined in the evaluation instrument. That is, if they offer hands-on, inquiry-centered, pedagogically and scientifically sound learning experiences, they may be considered effective even though they do not meet each specific criterion within these categories. The NSRC evaluation criteria were designed as a standard to be met, as the ideal level of quality to be sought, and as a working tool that can help inform science curriculum as it is developed.
-
The expectations for core materials are more comprehensive than for supplementary materials. For example, core materials would be expected to provide assessment strategies, whereas science activity books would not. Likewise, core materials would allow students to study a concept in depth, while supplementary materials might provide only a general introduction or isolated activities.
The NSRC evaluation criteria are reprinted in full in this appendix. Teachers, curriculum specialists, curriculum developers, principals, superintendents, and those involved in various aspects of science education reform may find the criteria not only instructive, but useful as an actual review instrument when the need arises to consider the strengths and weaknesses of particular curriculum materials.
NATIONAL SCIENCE RESOURCES CENTER
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION · NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
Resources for Teaching Elementary School Science
SCIENCE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS REVIEW FORM
TITLE: or name of resource
SERIES TITLE: if applicable
AUTHOR(S): if applicable
CITY/STATE: where published
PUBLISHER/SOURCE:
COPYRIGHT DATE: |
ISBN NO: |
ADVERTISED GRADE LEVEL(S): grade(s) |
SUPPLIES: availability of materials and kits for core curriculum materials
COST: suggested list price
RESOURCE TYPE: student activity book, teacher's guide, books on teaching science, etc.
SUBJECT: selected from major content categories
Please supply the following information: |
|||
REVIEWER: |
|
DATE: |
|
|
(reviewer's name) |
|
(date of review) |
RECOMMENDED USER:
(check each that applies) |
stu |
tchr |
adm |
other |
() |
GRADE LEVEL(S) RECOMMENDED BY REVIEWER IF DIFFERENT FROM THE ADVERTISED LEVEL(S) STATED ABOVE:
(Please circle the specific grade level(s) for which you believe these materials are most appropriate.)
K |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
Reviewer: _______________________
PEDAGOGY
Instructions: The following questions are designed to help you identify the important elements of each criterion. Please respond by selecting ''yes" if the material meets this goal and "no" if it does not. If "no" is selected, please explain the reason in the space provided below the question. In some instances, the question may not be applicable; then mark "NA."
CRITERIA |
RATING |
||
I. ADDRESSING THE GOALS OF ELEMENTARY SCIENCE TEACHING AND LEARNING |
|
|
|
Does the material focus on concrete experiences by the children with science phenomena? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Does the material enable children to investigate important science concept(s) in depth over an extended period of time (core materials only)? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Does the material contribute to the development of scientific reasoning and problem-solving skills? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Does the material stimulate student interest and relate to their daily lives? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Does the material allow for or encourage the development of scientific attitudes and habits of mind, such as curiosity, respect for evidence, flexibility, and sensitivity to living things? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Are assessment strategies aligned with the goals for instruction? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Will the suggested assessment strategies provide an effective means of assessing student learning? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
Reviewer:__________________
CRITERIA |
RATING |
||
II. FOCUSING ON INQUIRY AND ACTIVITY AS THE BASIS OF LEARNING EXPERIENCES |
|
|
|
Does the material engage students in the processes of science? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Does the material provide opportunities for students to make and record their own observations? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Does the material provide opportunities for students to gather and defend their own evidence? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Does the material provide opportunities for students to express their results in a variety of ways? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Does the material provide opportunities for students to work collaboratively with others? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Does the material include a balance of student-directed and teacher-facilitated activities? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
Reviewer: __________________
CRITERIA |
RATING |
||
III. INSTRUCTIONAL APPROACH |
|
|
|
Does the material present a logical sequence of related activities that will help students build conceptual understanding over several lessons? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Does the suggested instructional sequence take into account children's prior knowledge and experiences? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Are opportunities included to assess children's prior knowledge and experiences? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Do the suggested student activities develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Does the material incorporate effective strategies for the teacher and/or the students to use in assessing student learning? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Does the material incorporate technological applications of science and the interactions among science, technology and society? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Do the subject matter and methods of instruction provide suggestions for integrating science with other important learning experiences in the elementary curriculum, such as mathematics, language arts, and social studies? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
Reviewer: ________________
ASSESSMENT OF PEDAGOGICAL APPROPRIATENESS OF MATERIALS
Please provide a brief overview of the concepts taught and the activities suggested in this material. It is not necessary to use complete sentences; words and brief phrases are sufficient.
With the above criteria in mind, please comment on any particular strengths in this material.
With the above criteria in mind, please comment on any particular weaknesses in this material.
After reviewing this material with only the above criteria for pedagogical appropriateness in mind, I would:
____________recommend this material for inclusion
____________not recommend this material for inclusion
Reviewer: ________________
PRESENTATION AND FORMAT, MATERIALS, AND EQUITY
Instructions: The following questions are designed to help you identify the important elements of criteria involving presentation and format, materials, and equity issues. Please respond by selecting "yes" if the material meets this goal and "no" if it does not. If "no" is selected, please explain the reason in the space provided below the question. In some instances, the question may not be applicable; then mark "NA.''
CRITERIA |
RATING |
||
PRESENTATION AND FORMAT |
|
|
|
Teacher materials: |
|
|
|
Does the background material for the teacher provide sufficient information on the scientific content? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Does the background material for the teacher provide sufficient information on common student misconceptions? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Is the format easy for a teacher to follow? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Are the directions on implementing activities clear? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Are the suggestions for instructional delivery adequate? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Are the suggested times for instruction reasonable? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Student materials: |
|
|
|
Are the written materials for the students well-written, age-appropriate, and compelling in content? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
Reviewer: _______________
CRITERIA |
RATING |
||
HANDS-ON SCIENCE MATERIALS |
|
|
|
Teacher materials: |
|
|
|
Is a master source list of materials provided? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Is a list of materials included for each activity? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Is a complete set of materials readily available at a reasonable cost? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Are refurbishment materials easily obtained and affordable? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Student materials: |
|
|
|
Are the materials recommended for use appropriate for the designated age levels? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Are appropriate safety precautions included, where needed? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Are instructions on manipulating laboratory equipment and materials clear and adequate? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
SCIENCE FOR ALL |
|
|
|
Is the material free of cultural, racial, ethnic, gender, and age bias? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Are appropriate strategies included/used to meet the needs of special/diverse populations? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
Reviewer: ________________
ASSESSMENT OF PRESENTATION AND FORMAT, HANDS-ON SCIENCE MATERIALS, AND EQUITY
With the above criteria in mind, please comment on particular strengths or weaknesses in this material.
After reviewing this material with only the above criteria for presentation and format, hands-on science materials, and equity issues in mind, I would:
_______recommend this material for inclusion
_______not recommend this material for inclusion
Reviewer: _____________
RECOMMENDATION
Based upon all aspects of my review of this material, |
____I highly recommend this material for inclusion in Resources for Teaching Elementary School |
Science. |
____I recommend this material for inclusion in Resources for Teaching Elementary School |
Science. |
____I recommend this material for inclusion in Resources for Teaching Elementary School |
Science with reservations. |
Primary reason for reservations: |
____I do not recommend this material for inclusion in Resources for Teaching Elementary School |
Science. |
Primary reason for rejection: |
Reviewer: _____________
NATIONAL SCIENCE RESOURCES CENTER
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION • NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
Resources for Teaching Elementary School Science
SCIENCE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS REVIEW FORM
TITLE: or name of resource
SERIES TITLE: if applicable
AUTHOR(S): if applicable
CITY/STATE: where published
PUBLISHER/SOURCE:
COPYRIGHT DATE:
ISBN NO:
ADVERTISED GRADE LEVEL(S): grade(s)
SUPPLIES: availability of materials and kits for core curriculum materials
COST: suggested list price
RESOURCE TYPE: student activity book, teacher's guide, books on teaching science, etc.
SUBJECT: selected from major content categories
The material you are reviewing has already been identified by teacher and science curriculum specialists, in a comprehensive review process, to be pedagogically effective instructional material that would support a "hands-on, constructivist, inquiry-based" elementary-school science program. Your task is to review the material (including the background information for teachers) to evaluate the science content for its accuracy and currency, and the effectiveness of its presentation.
Please supply the following information:
REVIEWER:_____ |
|
DATE: ___ |
|
|
(reviewer's name) |
|
(date of review) |
Reviewer: ____________
SCIENCE CONTENT, PRESENTATION, AND EQUITY
Instructions: The following questions are designed to help you identify the important elements of each criterion. Please respond by selecting "yes" if the material meets this goal and "no" if it does not. If "no" is selected, please explain the reason in the space provided below the question. In some instances, the question may not be applicable; then mark "NA.''
CRITERIA |
RATING |
||
SCIENCE CONTENT |
|
|
|
Is the science content incorporated in the materials accurately represented? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Is the science content consistent with current scientific knowledge? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Are important ideas included? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Are generalizations adequately supported by facts? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Are facts clearly distinguished from theories? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Do the suggested investigations lead to an understanding of basic principles? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Do experiments and activities promote student understanding of how scientists come to know what they know and how scientists test and revise their thinking? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
Reviewer: ___________________
CRITERIA |
RATING |
||
SCIENCE PRESENTATION |
|
|
|
Is science shown to be open to inquiry and controversy and free of dogmatism? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Are different scientific viewpoints presented when appropriate? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Are personal biases avoided? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Is the writing style interesting and engaging, while respecting scientific language? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Is vocabulary used to facilitate understanding rather than as an end in itself? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
|||
Is science represented as an enterprise connected to society? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
CRITERIA |
RATING |
||
SCIENCE FOR ALL |
|
|
|
Is material free of cultural, racial, ethnic, gender, and age bias? |
Yes |
No |
NA |
Reason: |
Reviewer: ________________
ASSESSMENT OF SCIENCE CONTENT, PRESENTATION, AND EQUITY
With the above criteria in mind, please comment on any particular strengths in this material.
With the above criteria in mind, please comment on any particular weaknesses in this material.
RECOMMENDATION
After reviewing this material with the above criteria for science content and presentation in mind, I would: |
_____highly recommend this material for inclusion in Resources for Teaching Elementary School |
Science. |
________recommend this material for inclusion in Resources for Teaching Elementary School Science. |
________recommend this material for inclusion in Resources for Teaching Elementary School Science |
with reservations. |
Primary reason for reservations: ____________ |
Science. |
Primary reason for rejection: ______________ |
Reviewer: _______________