2023-2024 JSD Elementary Science & STEAM Database

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1				Welcome to the 2023-2024 JSD Science & STEAM Database!
2	Questions? Comments? Ideas?
3		About the database, science kits, and science materials...							Contact: Lauren Louwagie, JSD Science Kit Clerk		lauren.louwagie@juneauschools.org
4		About STEM Resources, Seaweek Resources, and new projects...
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6	Database is sorted as noted on tabs at the bottom.
7		*	Overview			tab gives an general summary of the different kinds of science kits. This page offers a snapshot view of science kits based on developer (Mystery Science, FOSS, EiE, etc.) and science branch (life, physical, earth) for easy comparison.
8		*	Descriptions			tab gives detailed information about each science kit.
9		*	Grade Level			tabs show the science kits available for that grade level. Go to your appropriate grade level tab to check out kits!				K	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	5th
10		*	STEAM Resources			tab is where you can check out STEM kits, Makerspace Kits, Kibo Robotics Kits, micro.bits, Finch robots, EiE (Engineering is Elementary) kits, and other STEAM resources.
11		*	Science Materials			tab has different science materials you can check out for your own classroom experiments.
12		*	Seaweek Resources			tab has links to a wealth of information about Seaweek planning resources, grade-level resources, field guides & references, community partners, and citizen science. Check out grade-level Seaweek kits here!
13		*	Place Based Resources			tab has links to the grade-level place based lessons developed and piloted during the 2021-2022 school year.
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15	How to check out Science Kits:
16		1	Go to your appropriate grade level tab.
17			*	All kits for that grade level are listed on left. The title of the kit is listed first, followed by numbers (below) indicating how many of that specific kit are available.
18		2	Scroll down to find the kit you want to check out.
19			*	Each kit is color coded. Pink kits are complete and available for check out, yellow kits are incomplete but still available for checkout, blue kits are not available for checkout.
20			*	A black triangle in the corner of a cell indicates a note containing more information. To view the note, move your arrow over the cell.
21			*	To read the description of a kit, hover your arrow over the kit name. A link to the description page will appear. Each kit on the description page is also linked to the appropriate check out area.
22		3	Scroll over to see what check out periods are available for that kit.
23			*	Check out periods are determined by the length and depth of kit. These periods closely, but not exactly, follow the school calendar.
24				*	Semester kits are extensive (ranging from 17-40 lessons) and, as a result, can be a overwhelming. A semester gives you plenty of time to look over the kit, then pick and choose which lessons you want to teach. You may request a specific time period within the semester. If no specific period is requested, you will receive the kit at the beginning of the semester.
25				*	Quarter kits range from 1-10 lessons. In general, pacing is 1 to 2 lessons per week, with each lesson taking approximately 1 hour to 1.5 hours .
26			*	A 2-3 week turn-around follows each check-out period. This time is needed to recount, restock, and send kits. It also allows a grace period in case a teacher needs just a few more days to finish. If you are expecting a kit it should arrive at your school within this window of time.
27		4	Fill in your name, school, and number of students in the uncolored row and column combination for the kit and check-out period you desire.
28			*	Limit yourself to no more than two Science / STEAM kits at any overlapping time. This can be tricky. Do the best you can and be considerate of others.
29				*	You may check out as many Science Materials as you want, reguardless of the number of Science Kits and STEAM resources you have checked out.
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31	Sharing Kits:
32			*	A small selection of kits are easy to share. These kits can be be taught by two teachers in the same building, one right after the other. These kits are indicated as "Easy to Share" on both the description page and grade level tabs.
33				*	Unless a kit is indicated as "Easy to Share," teachers should sign up for their own individual kit.
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35	Need help or have special requests?						Email:	lauren.louwagie@juneauschools.org
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37	Returning Kits
38		*	Return kits and materials to the Science Kit Department (Marie Drake 250) BY or BEFORE its due date.
39			*	If you finish the kit early, return it!
40			*	If you decide not to teach the kit return it immediately.
41			*	Once the kit is marked as returned, it is available for check-out - even if it was already checked out during that time period. Email me your request.
42		*	TO RETURN KITS: Flip the mailing label on the tote over. A quick feedback is located on the mailing label. All feedback is appreciated!
43		*	The mail staff asks that you please store all kits in your classroom and only return them to the school mail room when you are ready to return them.
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45	Kits with Live Organisms
46		*	Organisms are delivered to you BY EMAIL REQUEST ONLY.
47		*	Care instructions for organisms can be found within the kit's teacher's instruction manual. Some organisms need immediate care, others do not.
48		*	The Science Kit Department purchases live organisms from two sources: Petco or Carolina Biological Supplies.
49		*	Email at least 2 WEEKS in advance. SPECIFY with what organisms you want and what date you would like them. Organisms can be ordered / delivered in stages.
50				Organisms from Petco
51				Organisms purchased from Petco can be purchased and delivered any day of the week, Monday - Friday, typically either before school or after school, dependent on schedule. HOWEVER Petco receives their live organisms late on Thursdays, which makes purchasing large quantities easiest on Fridays.
52				Organisms from Carolina Biological
53				Organisms purchased from Carolina are ordered on a Monday and arrive (cross-fingers) Friday afternoon. If they arrive on time, they are delivered on Friday afternoon before school lets out or immediately afterwards. If delivery is delayed, they are delivered as soon as possible on Monday or Tuesday.
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55	Frequently Asked Questions & Answers:
56		1	How well do the kits fit the standards?
57			Kits developed or updated after 2018 align to the Next Generation Science Standards. All other kits have been realigned as best as possible. You will need to implement with discretion as some lessons within the kits may not directly apply. You may skip or modify lessons as necessary to best meet the intention of your grade level Disciplinary Core Ideas, Performance Expectations, Cross-Cutting Concepts, and Science & Engineering Practices.
58		2	May I checkout more then one kit at a time?
59			Yes, but limit yourself to 2 kits at one time. This can be challenging with different checkout periods. Do the best you can and be considerate of others.
60		3	The checkout period has already started, may I still check a kit out for that period?
61			Yes, you may.
62		5	Help! I need more time to finish teaching my kit!
63			Email. If the kit is available, I will extend your checkout period.
64		7	Can I have the kit for a different period of time then the checkout period?
65			Yes, depending on availability. Email your request.
66		8	Someone has checked out and returned the kit I would like. Can I check it out right away or do I need to wait?
67			If the kit is marked as returned, it is available for check-out. You do not need to wait. Email me and I will send you the kit promptly.
68		9	Does it matter which number kit I check-out?
69			Yes and no. I try to make the kits as equal as possible. With the older kits there is sometimes a slight difference from one kit to another. Some, but not all, of these differences are noted. Scroll over the black triangle in the corner of the kit to learn more. I will sometimes send you a different number kit then what you requested depending on ease of access in storage, how recently the kit was counted, and its contents.
70		10	Can I share the kit with other teachers in my building?
71			Yes and no. Kits that are easy to share are noted in both the description page and on their grade level tab. Unless the kit is noted as "Easy to Share," it is recommended that each teacher orders their own individual kit.
72		11	Do I have to replace materials I consume?
73			No, that is the Science Kit Department's job.
74		12	Help! My kit is missing a material!
75			I look over each kit before sending it, however I do make mistakes. Email me what material is missing and I will send it to you. Some of the kits are missing materials that either have not been replaced yet or can not be replaced. In these situations, the kit status is marked as incomplete but available (yellow). To see which items are missing, scroll over the black triangle in the corner of the cell.
76		13	I don't know if I want to teach the kit. Can I just look at it?
77			Yes! Just sign up for the kit like normal. After looking at it, if you do not want to teach it during that check-out period, return it immediately so another teacher can have the opportunity to check it out.
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