What Science First does

Science First is a US-based manufacturer and distributor of hands-on science education equipment, serving K-12 schools, colleges, universities, teachers, and individual consumers from its headquarters in Yulee, Florida. Founded approximately 60 years ago (around 1962), the company has built and aggregated a portfolio of more than 20 science education sub-brands — including owned brands (Beck, Turtox, Trippensee, Daedalon, Fieldmaster, STACO, Sunspotter, Skyscope, Linx, Ponar, Elementary, Shipek, You Too Can Brew), the 2019-acquired WINSCO physics/chemistry line, and distributed products such as the Starlab portable planetarium and Phywe systems. The catalog spans anatomy models, biology kits, chemistry equipment, physics lab apparatus, earth/space science tools, environmental science equipment, and general labware, supported by curriculum-aligned teacher resources and downloadable product manuals.

The company monetizes through direct e-commerce sales via two owned storefronts (store.sciencefirst.com and shop.sciencefirst.com) with a free-shipping threshold at $100, plus direct institutional sales to schools, districts, and higher-ed buyers. Complementary channels include a 51+ article content marketing library, organic social on Facebook/X/LinkedIn/Pinterest, and a dedicated teacher resources section. The firm employs 51-100 people and operates as part of the Science Interactive Group corporate family. No AI, software platform, or recurring SaaS component is part of the business model — revenue is driven by one-time hardware and kit sales, with pricing publicly listed per unit and institutional contracts handled quote-based.

Name

Science First

Legal name

Science First

Website

https://sciencefirst.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Science First is a US manufacturer and distributor of hands-on science education equipment, serving K-12 schools, colleges, universities, teachers, and individual consumers through a multi-brand portfolio and direct e-commerce plus institutional sales channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Science Education Equipment

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

SIC

Laboratory Apparatus & Furniture (3821)

akta.pro primary industry

Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Science & STEM Lab Equipment & Supplies (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Makerspaces) (EDAEAIAC), Biology & Life Science Enrichment (Biotech, Genetics, Anatomy) (EDAMABAF)

Keywords

• Science education equipment
• Laboratory teaching supplies
• K-12 science kits
• STEM classroom products
• Educational labware

Headquarters

HQ city

Yulee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Science Equipment Sales: Direct sales of science laboratory equipment, educational kits, and supplies to schools, educators, and individual consumers through e-commerce platform
2. Educational Kits: Pre-packaged science experiment kits and project kits containing manuals, references, and laboratory equipment for hands-on learning
3. Consumer Products (Smart Gifts): Consumer science products marketed as educational gifts for children, sold through online storefront

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Science First manufactures and distributes hands-on science laboratory equipment, educational kits, and teaching resources for K-12 schools, colleges, and universities. The company offers a multi-brand portfolio spanning biology, chemistry, physics, earth/space, and environmental science disciplines, supplemented by curriculum-aligned teacher resources, product manuals, and consumer-oriented 'Smart Gifts' for home use.

Product overview

Science First is a science equipment distributor serving K-12 to higher education, providing hands-on educational science equipment and supplies for over 60 years. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of branded products across multiple science disciplines including Beck™, Elementary®, Linx®, Ponar®, Skyscope®, Sunspotter®, Turtox®, Daedalon®, Fieldmaster®, Phywe, Shipek®, STACO®, Trippensee®, and You Too Can Brew™. Following a 2019 acquisition, WINSCO physics and chemistry education products joined their family. Science First also distributes Starlab® Portable Planetariums. Their product range spans anatomy models, biology kits, chemistry equipment, physics lab equipment, earth & space science tools, environmental science equipment, and general labware. They also offer curriculum-aligned teacher resources and product manuals for classroom use.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Beck™: Science equipment brand for educational use
• Elementary®
• Linx®
• Ponar®
• Skyscope®
• Sunspotter®
• Turtox®
• Daedalon®
• Fieldmaster®
• Phywe
• Shipek®
• STACO®
• Trippensee®
• You Too Can Brew™
• WINSCO
• Starlab®
• Atom Snap 'em™
• Greenbox™
• Blue Planet™
• Project STAR
• Hands on Optics®
• STARLAB®

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• WINSCOcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2019WINSCO products for physics and chemistry education joined the Science First family in February 2019. WINSCO is renowned for STEM-focused educational products including Van De Graaff generators, tools for studying electrostatic energy, spectral science equipment, general science tools, rotators, and stroboscopes. Many WINSCO products have set the standard for their category.
• Science Interactive GroupcoreOthersParent company of Science First and other science education brands. Science Interactive Group encompasses multiple science education companies under one corporate umbrella.
• StarlabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStarlab portable planetarium is featured on Science First website as 'the Best Portable Planetarium available.' Starlab products are sold through Science First as part of their astronomy and earth/space science product offerings.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• PASCO Scientific: PASCO Scientific produces physics and science education sensors, probeware, and data logging systems used in K-12 and higher-ed labs, competing for the same physics lab budgets as Science First's Daedalon and WINSCO product lines.
• Fisher Scientific: Fisher Scientific (part of Thermo Fisher) is a broad incumbent supplying laboratory equipment, chemicals, and consumables to research labs, hospitals, and universities, with overlapping lab apparatus categories that compete for higher-ed procurement budgets.
• 3B Scientific: 3B Scientific manufactures anatomy models, medical simulation, and biology education products, competing with Science First's STACO and Turtox anatomy/biology product lines in both US and international education markets.

Regional players

• Phywe Systeme GmbH: Phywe is a German-based manufacturer of physics and chemistry education equipment whose products are distributed in the US by Science First; it serves as both a supplier and a regional peer with comparable physics/chemistry lab apparatus offerings in Europe and select international markets.

Direct peers

• Ward's Science: Ward's Science provides preserved specimens, lab equipment, and hands-on science kits to schools and universities, directly overlapping Science First's biology, chemistry, and earth science kit offerings and target customer base.
• Nasco Education: Nasco Education (eNasco) sells hands-on science kits, lab supplies, and STEM teaching aids to K-12 and higher education, competing in many of the same physics, biology, and chemistry equipment categories as Science First.
• Home Science Tools: Home Science Tools focuses on science kits and lab supplies for homeschool families and individual consumers, directly competing with Science First's D2C 'Smart Gifts' and individual consumer/parent segment with similar hands-on kit offerings.
• Carolina Biological Supply: Carolina Biological is a direct competitor offering science kits, preserved specimens, lab equipment, and digital curriculum for K-12 and higher education, competing head-to-head with Science First in biology and life science kits and supplies.
• Flinn Scientific: Flinn Scientific is a direct competitor manufacturing and distributing hands-on science kits, lab apparatus, and curriculum-aligned teacher resources to K-12 schools and universities across the same product categories (biology, chemistry, physics, earth science) that Science First serves.

Emerging players

• Edvotek: Edvotek specializes in biotechnology and molecular biology education kits for high school and undergraduate labs, emerging as a focused competitor in the life sciences subset of Science First's biology kit portfolio.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/starlabuniverse

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Science First