How do I contact the SMC?

Phone: 360-965-2168
Email: kspears@nwesd.org
Located:Marysville-Pilchuck High School, 5611 108th Street NE, North Building, Marysville, WA 98271

When will I receive a science kit?

View the kit delivery schedule for each school district.

Very General Dates:

Kits Arrive at School Kits Return to SMC
1st rotation: Before school starts December/January
2nd rotation: Mid-December – January March/April
3rd rotation: April June

When do critters arrive?

A delivery schedule is in your kit – inside a yellow envelope that is labeled “Live Material Information”. Critters are only delivered on a Wednesday or Thursday. All the information you need for setting up their habitat can be found inside the Live Material Information packet.

Can I keep the critters?

The schedule indicates which critters may be kept and which ones are picked up by the SMC. If you would like to keep your critters longer than the scheduled time, please contact the SMC to make arrangements.

What if kit parts get broken or critters die?

There is a bag in the kit for broken parts. Broken parts should always be returned in the kit so that they can be accounted for. If a part comes broken or a critter arrives dead, contact us for a replacement. Critters that die are both a problem and a learning opportunity; we hope you use the learning opportunity.

Do I really have to inventory all the parts in each kit?

Yes. Students or parent helpers can make this task easier. Doing the inventory is the only way to insure that everything gets returned with the kit. Many items do not need to be counted, but rather a check that it is being returned. The SMC staff inventory every kit for each rotation which means checking about half a million parts in 4 weeks and there isn’t always enough stock to replace missing materials. The more organized the kits are upon return, the more likely you will receive a complete and organized kit in the next rotation.

Why is there only enough material in the kit for 8 groups?

FOSS and STC science kits are sold with the intention of having students collaborate in groups of 4. Hands-on science is explorative and noisy as students work together to learn.