Scholars Online Science Policies

This list is growing constantly as I find out about more good suppliers. Check it often.

Acorn Naturalists

Science equipment with a strong focus on nature observation, including animal tracking tools and on-the-trail.

American Science and Surplus (formerly Jerryco) 3605 Howard St. Skokie, Il 60076

Carries surplus equipment of all kinds, including motors, clamps, magnets, lenses, kimex chemistry glassware, and kits. Their catalog is amusingly written.

Arbor Science

Carries a wide range of science kits and demonstration equipment for "discovery-based" science experiences, along with kits aligned to the Prentice-Hall science textbooks.

Blue Spruce Biological Supply, Inc. 701 Park Street, Castle Rock, CO 80104

(1-1800-825-8522). Blue Spruce publishes a home school science catalog focussing on hard-to-find items for biology (like dissection specimens). Prices are very reasonable.

Carolina Biological Supply 2700 York Road, Burlington, North Carolina 27215

CBS has a full range of chemistry and biology lab supplies, but they are often packaged for classroom or industrial use. The catalog is pricy (but almost worth it for its own sake); you get a coupon for the catalog price which can be credited against future orders. CBS will not sell chemicals or preserved specimens to individuals but does have a homeschool policy.

Edmund Scientific Company 101 E. Gloucester Pike, Barrington, NJ 08007-1380 (1-609-547-8880)

The king of hobby science suppliers. Wide range of scientific and hobby equiment and materials (including biological specimens) at reasonable prices for sale to businesses and individuals.

Natural Science Indudstries Ltd Dept. C, 51-17 Rockaway Beach Blvd. Far Rockaway, NY 11691

NSI makes the Smithsonian chemistry kits, many one-experiment kits, and also sells replacement components at inexpensive prices. They do not sell directly to the public as far as I can tell, but their products are available at many educational stores and from many online suppliers (just Google "National Science Ind"!)

The Perfect Parts Company One North Haven Street, Baltimore, MD 21224 (1-410-327-3522)

Chemistry and Biology supplies for the serious student. Supplies individual chemicals to hobby/science education stores, so check those for its products as well.

Science and Nature Discovery Series Yarmouth, ME 04096-0808

Science and Nature sells packets of science supples and many one-experiment science kits at educational toy stores. They have good, inexpensive microscope slide and stain kits.

Science eStore Innovation Frontier Inc. 5318 E. 2nd St. #530, Long Beach, CA 90803

Extensive selection of science equipment and supplies, including components (batteriess, magnets), Kits, software, and DVDs.

Science Kit and Boreal Laboratories P. O. Box 5003 Tonawanda, NY 14151-5003 (1-800-828-7777)

Science kits, supplies, classroom activities, recommended material lists. This supplier has expanded its user base to include individuals; printed catalogs are available only to certified teachers and homeschoolers, but the site contents and suplies are availab to all.

Scientific Explorer (only online)

Kits include rockets, cameras, room alarms. Call (800) 900-1182 for information. This company markets their kits through Amazon.com among other online outlets.

SKS Science

Excellent source of individual components for the more advanced student's science lab, including chemistry glass and scales.

Tobin's Lab Supplies

Hands-on lab equipment for students of all ages.

Ward's Science Supplies (1-800-962-2660)

Environmental Science, physics, geology supplies; now supplies individuals as well as schools. Contains a special section on supplies appropriate to the homeschool environment.

The Wild Goose Company Call 1-888-621-1040 to order.

This company markets its science supplies at educational toy stores. Their line includes most of the chemistry lab equipment recommended for a home lab, including thermometers, test tubes, stoppers, pipettes, flasks and beakers.