Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions
How long has the science materials center been sending out science kits? Since 1978, more than 30 years. How do I get a science kit? In the spring, every grade level sends in a rotation request with the names of all teachers expected to be teaching that grade level in the next year. Science Center AA sends a copy of each schools assigned rotation and confirmation of teacher numbers to school AAs both before the end of hte school year and at the start of the next school year. If you are a new hire or have changed schools or grade levels, check with your school AA and Tami Cocklin at the Science Center to make sure there is a kit with your name on it. What do I do if my kit is missing materials? The sticker at the end of the kit tubs lists the name of the Science Center Technician and their phone number. Contact them as soon as you find out about missing materials. Can I get an extension for the return date on my kit? While we appreciate the efforts all teachers make to finish teaching the kit with their students, there is another teacher waiting for the kit in your classroom and the three Science Center Technicians have three weeks to refurbish over 1300 kits (most with multiple tubs each). Please plan carefully to be able to complete your kit on time. I just need to borrow a few supplies for an investigation I want to do with my kids. Does the science center have extra materials I can borrow? The Science Center only orders materials for refurbishing our adopted curriculum. There is no extra or optional material available. Many schools have received Science Inquiry tools tubs over the years that contain material from kits taken out of the curriculum. These are an excellent source of materials for independent investigations beyond the science kits. Where is the science center located? The Science Center is located at the ASD Warehouse on VanBuren Street, between Northwood Elementary and Spenard Recreation Center. Please see the map on this page. The hours the warehouse front office are open are 7am - 4pm, nothing should be left outside the building. Where can I get one and two-liter plastic bottles? The recycling center on Rosewood Street between Old and New Seward saves two-liter bottles behind their fence for teachers. See them during open hours to pull from this supply. The plastic bottles in the recycling bin, when nearly full, can be fished out with a snow shovel. Do not get into the bin. What version of the Scientific Method should I be using? Many scientists and science educators contend that a structured scientific method does not exist, while others might argue that "the scientific method" is too simplistic in its approach to scientific inquiry. ASD Science supports the learning cycle model and inquiry science teaching centered around student investigation of authentic questions and the use of evidence to answe those questions. What does STEM stand for? Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics. Read a great article about STEM education. When is the state science and engineering fair? The Science and Engineering Fair is held annually in Anchorage near the end of March. For specific rules, dates, and registration information please see their website. Check out these ASD Tube videos for a complete rundown of how the Science Kit Program works! Science Kit Logistics Using Your Science Kit

How long has the science materials center been sending out science kits?
Since 1978, more than 30 years.

How do I get a science kit?
In the spring, every grade level sends in a rotation request with the names of all teachers expected to be teaching that grade level in the next year. Science Center AA sends a copy of each schools assigned rotation and confirmation of teacher numbers to school AAs both before the end of hte school year and at the start of the next school year. If you are a new hire or have changed schools or grade levels, check with your school AA and Tami Cocklin at the Science Center to make sure there is a kit with your name on it.

What do I do if my kit is missing materials?
The sticker at the end of the kit tubs lists the name of the Science Center Technician and their phone number. Contact them as soon as you find out about missing materials.

Can I get an extension for the return date on my kit?
While we appreciate the efforts all teachers make to finish teaching the kit with their students, there is another teacher waiting for the kit in your classroom and the three Science Center Technicians have three weeks to refurbish over 1300 kits (most with multiple tubs each). Please plan carefully to be able to complete your kit on time.

I just need to borrow a few supplies for an investigation I want to do with my kids. Does the science center have extra materials I can borrow?
The Science Center only orders materials for refurbishing our adopted curriculum. There is no extra or optional material available. Many schools have received Science Inquiry tools tubs over the years that contain material from kits taken out of the curriculum. These are an excellent source of materials for independent investigations beyond the science kits.

Where is the science center located?
The Science Center is located at the ASD Warehouse on VanBuren Street, between Northwood Elementary and Spenard Recreation Center. Please see the map on this page. The hours the warehouse front office are open are 7am - 4pm, nothing should be left outside the building.

Where can I get one and two-liter plastic bottles?
The recycling center on Rosewood Street between Old and New Seward saves two-liter bottles behind their fence for teachers. See them during open hours to pull from this supply. The plastic bottles in the recycling bin, when nearly full, can be fished out with a snow shovel. Do not get into the bin.

What version of the Scientific Method should I be using?
Many scientists and science educators contend that a structured scientific method does not exist, while others might argue that "the scientific method" is too simplistic in its approach to scientific inquiry. ASD Science supports the learning cycle model and inquiry science teaching centered around student investigation of authentic questions and the use of evidence to answe those questions.

What does STEM stand for?
Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics. Read a great article about STEM education.

When is the state science and engineering fair?
The Science and Engineering Fair is held annually in Anchorage near the end of March. For specific rules, dates, and registration information please see their website.

Check out these ASD Tube videos for a complete rundown of how the Science Kit Program works!
Science Kit Logistics
Using Your Science Kit