PASCO scientific
PASCO scientific is a privately held, U.S.-based manufacturer founded in 1964 that designs Bluetooth Low Energy wireless sensors, data-collection interfaces, and SPARKvue/Capstone software for science education in K-12 schools, colleges, and universities worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1964
- HeadquartersRoseville, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What PASCO scientific does
PASCO scientific is a privately held, U.S.-based (Roseville, California) manufacturer of science education technology founded in 1964. The company designs and builds wireless Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) sensors, data-collection interfaces and data loggers, and accompanying software — SPARKvue for K-12 cross-platform use and PASCO Capstone for advanced college/engineering labs — that automate measurement and visualization across physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, and environmental science. Supporting offerings include lab apparatus (e.g., Thermal Expansion Apparatus, Steam Generator, Digital Multimeter), the //code.Node STEM coding device, and pre-configured Lab Station bundles that combine sensors, standards-aligned printed labs, and Gratnells storage cases. Curriculum lines (Essential Physics, Essential Chemistry, PASCO OpenSciEd) and the PASCO Academy professional development program extend the platform into teacher training and NGSS-aligned instructional content.
The business operates a hybrid hardware-plus-software model. Hardware revenue comes from one-time sensor and equipment sales priced from roughly $80 for entry-level wireless sensors to over $1,000 for advanced interfaces like the 850 Universal Interface and the Wireless 2-Axis Force Platform, with a five-year warranty on most products. Software is sold as site licenses (PASCO Capstone at $699 per campus/department, with free updates and student home use) and personal licenses at roughly $1/year, supplemented by free SPARKvue downloads. Distribution is omnichannel: a direct Education Consultant field-sales force covering K-12 schools, colleges, and universities globally; an e-commerce storefront on pasco.com; conference and workshop sales; and free webinars plus an Experiment Library of free lab activities as top-of-funnel demand generation. Customers are educational institutions worldwide; no individual end-customer logos are disclosed, consistent with a long-tail institutional base. Strategic partnerships include GLOBE (environmental science), ESRI/ArcGIS (GIS integration), Activity-Based Physics, and a Core-tier relationship with OpenSciEd. PASCO holds ISO 9001:2015 certification (IQNET/Nemko) and operates as an independent company with no disclosed parent or external funding rounds.
PASCO scientific firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PASCO scientific
- Legal name
- PASCO scientific
- Website
- https://pasco.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1964
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- PASCO scientific is a privately held, U.S.-based manufacturer founded in 1964 that designs Bluetooth Low Energy wireless sensors, data-collection interfaces, and SPARKvue/Capstone software for science education in K-12 schools, colleges, and universities worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PASCO scientific industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Science Education Equipment
- NAICS
- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)
- SIC
- Laboratory Apparatus & Furniture (3821), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Science & STEM Lab Equipment & Supplies (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Makerspaces) (EDAEAIAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA), Open Lab Manuals & Practical Guides (STEM/CTE) (EDAGAJAG), Lab Furniture, Facilities & Utilities (Benches, Casework, Gas/Water Systems) (HLAGAIAM)
Keywords
Where PASCO scientific is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Roseville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
PASCO scientific business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales: Sale of wireless sensors, interfaces, data loggers, lab apparatus, and equipment kits. One-time purchase model with five-year warranty on most products. Prices range from under $100 for basic sensors to over $1,000 for advanced interfaces.
- Software Licensing: Sale of data collection and analysis software including PASCO Capstone (site licenses at $699 for K-12 campus or department) and personal licenses at approximately $1/year. Includes free updates and student home use with site licenses.
- Curriculum Solutions: Sale of curriculum solutions including Essential Physics and Essential Chemistry textbooks, e-books, digital teacher resources, and lab manuals.
- Equipment Kits & Bundles: Pre-configured equipment kits and bundles for specific subjects (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Agricultural Science, Middle School, Elementary) combining sensors, labs, and storage solutions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Wireless Sensors - Entry Level |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Wireless Sensors - Advanced |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Lab Apparatus - Basic |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | STEM Coding Products |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Software - Site License |
| Subscription | Annual | Software - Personal License |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Lab Stations |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Temperature Sensors |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
PASCO scientific product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PASCO scientific designs, manufactures, and sells wireless sensors, lab interfaces, data loggers, and data collection/analysis software (SPARKvue, PASCO Capstone, Chemvue) for K-12 schools, colleges, and universities. The portfolio spans physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, and STEM education, with accompanying curriculum solutions including textbooks, e-books, lab manuals, and pre-configured lab stations. The company also offers lab apparatus (thermal expansion, steam generators, multimeters) and STEM coding devices (//code.Node) supported by a free experiment library and professional development webinars.
Product overview
PASCO scientific offers a comprehensive science education technology platform centered on wireless sensors and data collection software. The core portfolio consists of three interconnected product lines: (1) Wireless Sensors spanning physics (motion, force, voltage, magnetic field), chemistry (pH, CO2, dissolved oxygen, conductivity), and biology (EKG, spirometer, blood pressure), all utilizing Bluetooth Low Energy technology; (2) Data Collection Software including SPARKvue (cross-platform, intuitive for K-12) and PASCO Capstone (advanced features for college/physics with high-speed sampling up to 10 MHz, video analysis, Blockly coding); and (3) Interfaces/Data Loggers including the 850 Universal Interface (high-end, up to 10 MHz sampling) and AirLink (economical, for PASPORT sensors). Supporting products include the //code.Node STEM coding device with built-in sensors, lab apparatus (Thermal Expansion Apparatus, Steam Generator, Digital Multimeter), and Lab Stations pre-bundled with sensors, curriculum, and storage. The platform integrates with Google Sheets, Excel, Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, and Google Earth for data export and analysis.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PASCO: Science lab equipment and teacher resources brand
- PASCO Portal
- PASCO Academy
- OpenSciEd
- SPARKvue
- PASCO Capstone
- Chemvue
- MatchGraph!
- STEM Sense
Products and services
- Wireless Sensors (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) Family of award-winning Bluetooth Low Energy wireless sensors that connect to Chromebooks, computers, tablets, and smartphones for physics (motion, force, voltage, magnetic field), chemistry (pH, CO2, conductivity, dissolved oxygen), and biology (EKG, spirometer) experiments. Designed for K-12 and college science classrooms.
- PASCO Capstone Advanced data collection and analysis software for high-level physics and engineering applications. Supports large data sets, high-speed sampling up to 10 MHz, video analysis, Blockly coding, and circuit emulation. Available as a site license ($699) for institutions or personal license (~$1/year).
- SPARKvue Easy-to-use, cross-platform data collection software for science classrooms. Free app available on Chromebooks, iPads, iPhones, Android devices, Mac, and Windows. Designed for younger learners with powerful analysis tools for advanced courses.
- Wireless Force Platform (PS-3229) Wireless force measurement platform supporting up to 5,200 N normal force with four measuring beams, glass-filled nylon platform, and adjustable leveling feet. Features burst sampling up to 10 kHz over Bluetooth 5.2 for high-speed data collection. Priced at $305.
- Wireless Temperature Sensor Link (PS-3222) Wireless temperature sensor link with Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity for any PASCO temperature probe with 3.5-mm connection. Supports -30°C to 105°C range with 0.05°C resolution. Priced at $85.
- 850 Universal Interface (UI-5000) Most powerful educational lab interface featuring 100 kHz signal generator, 15 W power amplifier, 10 MHz sample rate oscilloscope, four photogate ports, four analog ports, and four PASPORT sensor ports. Only compatible with Capstone software.
Quantifiable outcome
- 5-year warranty on products demonstrates confidence in durability and reliability
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use PASCO scientific
Customer profileSegments7 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
PASCO scientific technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
AI capability2 records
Feature7 records
PASCO scientific partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- GLOBE ProgramcoreGLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) is an international science education program. PASCO provides technology integration with GLOBE protocols, enabling students to collect and report environmental data using PASCO sensors following GLOBE methodologies.
- Activity-Based PhysicsminorPartnership with Activity-Based Physics curriculum initiative, providing physics education resources and lab activities aligned with active learning pedagogical approaches.
- OpenSciEdcorePASCO has developed PASCO OpenSciEd, a version of the OpenSciEd curriculum that integrates with PASCO technology. This partnership provides schools with NGSS-aligned curriculum combined with PASCO sensor technology.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
PASCO scientific competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Vernier Software & Technology: Direct competitor offering wireless sensors, interfaces (LabQuest), and Logger Pro data collection software for K-12 and college science labs. Closely comparable product portfolio, pricing, and customer segments to PASCO.
- Carolina Biological Supply Company: Major distributor of K-12 and college science education supplies including lab kits, dissection specimens, and STEM equipment. Overlaps with PASCO in life science and general science lab supplies for educational buyers.
- Ward's Science: Supplier of science education kits, lab equipment, specimens, and curriculum for K-12 and higher education. Comparable customer base and complementary product overlap with PASCO in biology, chemistry, and earth science.
- Frey Scientific: K-12 science education supplier offering lab apparatus, chemistry supplies, physical science equipment, and STEM kits. Comparable customer segments and product categories in school laboratory equipment.
- Lab-Aids: Publisher and developer of hands-on, inquiry-based science kits and curriculum (including SEPUP and issues-oriented science) for middle and high schools. Comparable to PASCO's curriculum-and-equipment bundled approach with overlapping K-12 buyer base.
Broad incumbents
- Bio-Rad Laboratories: Established life science tools and clinical diagnostics company with a significant education division (Bio-Rad Explorer) supplying biology kits and instruments to schools and universities. Comparable in life science education instrumentation but operates across a much broader life sciences portfolio.
- Texas Instruments (Education Technology): Major education technology brand offering graphing calculators, the TI-Innovator Hub, and TI-Nspire software used in high school and college STEM classrooms. Overlaps with PASCO's math/physics/engineering STEM tools and shares the same K-12 and college buyer base.
- National Instruments (NI / Emerson): Provider of engineering test, measurement, and data acquisition hardware (multifunction I/O boards, LabVIEW) used in college and university engineering and physics labs. Adjacent to PASCO's 850 Universal Interface and Capstone offerings in advanced engineering education.
Emerging players
- Arduino Education: Open-source electronics platform with a dedicated education division offering STEAM kits, programmable boards, and coding curriculum. Partial overlap with PASCO's //code.Node STEM coding solution and engineering/STEM K-12 audience.
- PhET Interactive Simulations (University of Colorado Boulder): Provider of free, research-based interactive science and math simulations widely adopted in K-12 and college STEM instruction. Represents the simulation-first alternative to PASCO's hardware-based hands-on lab approach.
Market position
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
PASCO scientific social profiles
Digital presencePASCO scientific compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
PASCO scientific financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PASCO scientific leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
PASCO scientific funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PASCO scientific M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about PASCO scientific
What does PASCO scientific do?
PASCO scientific designs, manufactures, and sells wireless sensors, lab interfaces, data loggers, and data collection/analysis software (SPARKvue, PASCO Capstone, Chemvue) for K-12 schools, colleges, and universities. The portfolio spans physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, and STEM education, with accompanying curriculum solutions including textbooks, e-books, lab manuals, and pre-configured lab stations. The company also offers lab apparatus (thermal expansion, steam generators, multimeters) and STEM coding devices (//code.Node) supported by a free experiment library and professional development webinars.
Is PASCO scientific a public or private company?
PASCO scientific is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was PASCO scientific founded?
PASCO scientific was founded in 1964. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is PASCO scientific based?
PASCO scientific is headquartered in Roseville, United States, in the North America region.
How does PASCO scientific make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are software Licensing, curriculum Solutions and equipment Kits & Bundles.
Who are PASCO scientific's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Vernier Software & Technology, Carolina Biological Supply Company, Ward's Science, Frey Scientific and Lab-Aids. Broad incumbents are Bio-Rad Laboratories, Texas Instruments (Education Technology) and National Instruments (NI / Emerson). Emerging players are Arduino Education and PhET Interactive Simulations (University of Colorado Boulder).
Does PASCO scientific have an API?
No public API is recorded for PASCO scientific.
What industry is PASCO scientific in?
PASCO scientific's product category is Science Education Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAEAIAC, Science & STEM Lab Equipment & Supplies (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Makerspaces), with a secondary code of EDAMABAA, Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs). Its NAICS code is 334516 and its SIC code is 3821.