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Booking are now open for the 2025-2026 school year.  Submit your order via our Google Request Form below.  You will need to submit a new form for each kit you'd like to order.  An email with your exact shipping and due dates will be sent once your order is processed.

Kindergarten Science Kits

Gr. 1-8 Science Kits​​​

Note:  If you need to cancel or change dates for a request that has already been submitted via the form, please E-mail Science Centre  These changes will have to be made by the Science Centre Technician.  Thanks!​​
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The Logistics: How the Science Kit Program Works

Science Kits: 

Submit your order via the Google Forms at the top of this page.  

• Gr. 1-8 kits are booked for 6 weeks, and kinder kits are booked for 3 weeks.

• We'll do our best to book kits for as close to when you've asked as possible, or we'll recommend the closest available date.

• Note that there is a link in the introduction of each booking form that will take you to a document that describes when all copies of each kit title is unavailable. You are encouraged to consult this information prior to placing your order.

• Kits will arrive with the regular school courier who also delivers interschool mail for both the public and separate board.  Each school will only receive delivery once per week.  Your office staff should have a copy of the courier schedule.

• A return date will be listed on the shipping label. The due date will be a courier day for your school.  Your kit is due on that date as opposed to by that date.  Leaving it for the courier on that date will get it back to the SEP Science Centre in time as long as you have it out for before the courier arrives at your school.

• Please do not remove or cover the shipping label information.   It allows the couriers to see ship/return dates to determine if the kit is outbound or being returned.

• Please draw a diagonal line across the label as a signal to the courier it's ready to be returned.  

• Your kit is returned to the science centre by the same courier who delivered it.  Leave it out where your school secretary leaves the mailbags for pick-up or at the location that has been designated as a pick-up/drop-off spot for the courier within your school. 

• If returning your kit early, please be sure to draw a diagonal line across the top of the box as a signal it's meant to be picked up.

  Please do not remove the shipping label.  The courier needs to be able to see the dates so that she is able to keep track of inbound vs. outbound kits.

• Very Important:  Please check the inventory before sending kits back.  A laminated inventory sheet is included in each box.  Return all print resources, non-consumable items, unused consumables and/or empty containers, including lock top bags that can be refilled. (That is why we label them.  It keeps the kit organized and makes it easy to refill.)

•  If you are using more than one kit at the same time, please try to keep each of them organized in their own separate box.

• If anything is missing/broken, please leave a note of explanation for science centre staff.

• Kits are not available for booking and will not be shipped to schools after the long weekend in May.

• All kits must be returned by the third week of June so that science centre staff have time to check them prior to summer holiday.

• Bookings for the upcoming school year can be submitted when the appropriate forms have been activated on the website in mid-June.

Up-to date information regarding current SDS initiatives and their availability is posted on the  "SDS Volunteer Program" page.

The Logistics: How the SDS Volunteer Program Works

Science Demonstrations

• Volunteer visits are scheduled throughout the school year according to the availability of volunteers.

• Orders are submitted via the google form in the "Science Demonstration" section of the "SDS Volunteer Program" page on this site.

• You will be asked to indicate which month in which you would like the volunteer to visit.

• Approximately three weeks prior to the month you've requested, you will be contacted via email.

• If a lead volunteer is available, you will be sent his/her contact information.  (There may be additional volunteers who help during the classroom session.  The lead volunteer will coordinate any extra helpers that are required.)  

• The onus is on the teacher to work out the timing details directly with volunteer.  PLEASE contact the lead volunteer as soon as possible after receiving the introductory e-mail. 

• Prior to the visit, you should take the time to discuss expectations, acquire handout masters, discuss material you may have to review, and any other preparations that are required with the volunteer.

• You will want to determine if the volunteer will be using a digital element in their presentation, and if that format is compatible with the set up in your classroom.

• As the teacher who requested a volunteer visit for your classroom, you are expected to personally be present in the class on the day of the presentation and be actively involved throughout.  You are asked that volunteer activities not be left for a supply teacher.

Canada Agriculture Day

• Canada Agriculture Day visits will be arranged within the month of February.  A memorandum will go out to schools in early January to invite classrooms to sign up for this activity.  (Bookings are not accepted until this memo goes out.) 

• If a volunteer is available to visit your classroom, you will be sent his/her contact information. 

• The onus is on the teacher to work out the timing details directly with volunteer.  PLEASE contact the lead volunteer as soon as possible after receiving the introductory e-mail. 

• Prior to the visit, you will want to determine if the volunteer will be using a digital element in their presentation, and if that format is compatible with the set up in your classroom.

Truss Building Activities

• ​​In conjunction with the local Professional Engineers of Ontario chapters in Lambton and Chatham-Kent, a structural building challenge is offered to comply with expectations in the Gr. 5 Forces Acting on Structures and Mechanisms unit. 

• A memorandum is sent each year, (traditionally in early October)  inviting teachers to sign up for this opportunity.  ​(Bookings are not accepted until this memo goes out.) 

• Approximately three weeks prior to the month you've requested, you will be contacted via email.

• If a lead volunteer is available, you will be sent his/her contact information. 

• The onus is on the teacher to work out the timing details directly with volunteer.  PLEASE contact the lead volunteer as soon as possible after receiving the introductory e-mail. 

• Prior to the visit, you should take the time to discuss expectations, acquire handout masters, discuss material you may have to review, and any other preparations that are required with the volunteer.

• You will also want to determine if the volunteer will be using a digital element in their presentation, and if that format is compatible with the set up in your classroom.

​Coding Activities ​

• Coding activities are offered at various grade levels.

• Consult the "SDS Volunteer Page" and look under "Science Demonstrations" for a current list of sessions offered.

• To sign up for a coding activity, use the google form on that page.

• Approximately three weeks prior to the month you've requested, you will be contacted via email.

• If a lead volunteer is available, you will be sent his/her contact information. 

• The onus is on the teacher to work out the timing details directly with volunteer.  PLEASE contact the lead volunteer as soon as possible after receiving the introductory e-mail. 

• Prior to the visit, you should take the time to discuss expectations, acquire handout masters, discuss material you may have to review, and any other preparations that are required with the volunteer.

• You will need to discuss the digital/device requirements for your session with the lead volunteer.

Taylor Talks Environmental Science and Wonder Wednesday Sessions

• Taylor Talks are monthly virtual sessions on environmental science.  Each month focuses on curriculum expectations for a different grade.

• Wonder Wednesdays is a monthly virtual session presented by SDS Volunteers and other guest presenters intermittently throughout the year.

• Invitations to these sessions  will be sent directly to grade specific teachers in both the LKDSB and SCCDSB, (through their respective elementary program departments,) in the appropriate month. Teachers will be directed to sign up through a google form.

• A link and information will be sent to all teachers who have signed up to participate the day before the session.