Science notebooks contain information about the students’ classroom experiences. Students are encouraged to use them as scientists would, before, during, and after all investigations. A science notebook can provide students who are uncomfortable with writing a safe place to practice and develop their skills and see that writing is used in all STEM fields. Learn More

Ten Washington State LASER Alliances are generously supported by Washington’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. The LASER Alliances provide training, guidance and technical support to districts that are considering participation in LASER, as well as to districts that are already in various stages of implementing the program. Each alliance comprises members from a myriad of educational and scientific institutions (e.g., school districts, ESDs, and universities). Learn More

The University of Washington in cooperation with the Pacific Education Institute and Washington Sea Grant conducted a study on crayfish use in the classroom and the possibility of using native crayfish to reduce the risk of non-native species being brought in for classroom use and accidentally being released. Download study summary.

Learn more about the effect of non-native species on our native crayfish from Oregon Public Broadcasting.

Washington State currently does not have enough of a reliable supply of native crayfish for all the educational kits using them. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife have allowed a permit to be issued for the 2013-2014 school year for use of non-native crayfish as long as they follow the protocols outlined in this permit.

Materials Support is one of the five elements of Washington State Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform (LASER). The ongoing support of Science Materials Centers’ personnel has helped research-based science teaching and learning reach the current level of prevalence in Washington State and beyond. At Science Materials Centers, science kits/modules are stored, refurbished and delivered to teachers when needed. Science Materials Centers are a cost effective means for implementing inquiry-based science as large amounts of materials are purchased, managed and distributed. Further, the burden of purchasing and managing materials is removed from the classroom teacher, and some Science Materials Centers even raise and keep living organisms. The Science Materials Centers’ staffs are constantly working on optimizing efficiency, purchasing power and their service for all teachers. Scroll down to see a listing of all Science Materials Centers in Washington.

Washington State Nuts & Bolts

The Washington State Nuts & Bolts group offers leadership and support for science materials center personnel. Most of the science materials staff are a part of this group, to learn more contact your local materials resource staff.

Washington State Science Materials Centers

There are two types of Washington State Science Materials Centers:

1. Centralized materials centers that support a consortium of school districts.
2. District based Science Materials Centers that support schools within their own school district (some also service neighboring school districts).

If your school district is not mentioned on this list but operates its own science materials center in Washington State, please email the contact information to wastatelaser@pacsci.org and it will be included here.

The Science Classroom Observation Protocol document contains science classes observation protocol that align with the vision of effective science instruction encouraged by Washington State LASER through the network of Regional Alliances and the network science coordinators. It includes:

• Science Classroom Observation Rubric
• Science Classroom Observation Worksheet
• Science Classroom Visitation Trait Reference Sheet
• Science Classroom Visitation Worksheet

Download the document (194KB PDF).