Ward's Science
Ward's Science, founded in 1862 and a subsidiary of Avantor Sciences, supplies comprehensive K-12 science education materials — kits, chemicals, specimens, and lab equipment — to teachers, schools, and districts across the United States.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1862
- HeadquartersRochester, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Ward's Science does
Ward's Science is a K-12 science education supplies company founded in 1862 and operating as a subsidiary of Avantor Sciences from Rochester, NY. It serves science teachers, individual schools, and school districts across the United States with comprehensive materials spanning biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, environmental science, forensics, healthcare education, and agricultural/veterinary science. The product portfolio includes over 3,500 chemicals, preserved and living specimens, lab equipment, microscopes, probeware (NeuLog and Vernier), and curriculum-aligned kit series such as Ward's Science Engage Kits and Ward's Quick Kits. The company also operates Ward's World, an online teacher resource hub featuring lesson plans, how-to videos, and a peer-generated Science By You community, and offers custom kit development, custom histology slides, custom geology solutions, and Safer STEM lab-safety assessments in partnership with Safer STEM.
The company's core technology stack is a digital e-commerce platform combined with the Ward's World content portal and digital catalog infrastructure; products are developed by in-house scientists and former educators with NGSS-aligned activities. Distribution is multi-channel: self-serve e-commerce for individual educators, account-based direct sales with invoicing and purchase orders for schools and districts, and catalog-based ordering in both digital and print (2026 catalog). Revenue is generated primarily through one-time product sales, supplemented by professional services revenue from custom kit development and institutional solutions.
Ward's growth is driven by curriculum-aligned partnerships with OpenSciEd, Project Lead the Way, CASE 4 Learning, Edmentum, Kognity, and Science Olympiad, and by content partnerships with We Are Teachers and McGraw Hill AccessScience. The company is positioned as a full-stack supplier for hands-on, standards-based science instruction across all grade levels, with a 160-year brand legacy and embedment in district procurement workflows as its primary competitive differentiators.
Ward's Science firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ward's Science
- Legal name
- Ward's Science
- Website
- https://wardsci.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1862
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Ward's Science, founded in 1862 and a subsidiary of Avantor Sciences, supplies comprehensive K-12 science education materials — kits, chemicals, specimens, and lab equipment — to teachers, schools, and districts across the United States.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ward's Science industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Science Education Supplies
- SIC
- Laboratory Apparatus & Furniture (3821)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Science & STEM Lab Equipment & Supplies (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Makerspaces) (EDAEAIAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Instructional Equipment & Classroom Tools (Whiteboards, Lab Kits, Manipulatives) (EDAEAIAB), Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA)
Keywords
Where Ward's Science is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rochester
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Ward's Science business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Science Supplies and Equipment Sales: Ward's Science generates revenue through direct product sales of science education supplies, equipment, specimens, chemicals, and kits to K-12 schools, educators, and institutions. Sales occur through e-commerce, catalog orders, and account-based business relationships with school districts and educational institutions.
- Custom Kit and Solutions: Custom kit development and solution services for institutions with specific curriculum requirements, providing tailored science education materials.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Business Account - Schools and Institutions |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Ward's Science product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ward's Science supplies comprehensive K-12 science education materials, equipment, and curriculum-aligned kits across biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, environmental science, forensics, and healthcare disciplines. The company operates an e-commerce storefront and Ward's World teacher resource hub while providing custom kit solutions, over 3,500 chemicals, specimens, lab equipment, microscopes, and ready-to-use kits to schools, districts, and individual educators across the United States.
Product overview
Ward's Science is a science education supplies company serving K-12 teachers since 1862. The company offers a diverse portfolio of products organized into core categories: Biology (including living/preserved specimens, microscope slides, biotechnology, dissection equipment, and simulators); Chemistry & Chemicals (with over 3,500 chemicals plus equipment, models, and safety supplies); Physics (apparatus, demos, robotics, alternative energy, and optics); Earth & Space Science (fossils, minerals, rock specimens, and meteorology equipment); Environmental Science (air/soil/water testing and lab activities); Agricultural & Veterinary Science (animal science, aquaculture, plant science); Healthcare Education (diagnostic equipment, patient care, surgical training); Forensic Science (lab activities and accessories); and Technology (probeware from NeuLog and Vernier, interactive whiteboards). The company also offers custom kit solutions, distance learning materials, and curated curriculum-aligned kits from partners including OpenSciEd, Edmentum, CASE 4 Learning, and Science Olympiad. Additional services include Ward's World teacher resource hub, Recommended Material Lists by subject, and specialized services like Safer STEM partnership for lab safety. Ward's Science differentiates through products developed by in-house scientists and former educators, with standards-based activities and personalized technical support.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Ward's World: Teacher resource hub providing lesson plans, how-to videos, classroom tips, and science education inspiration
- Ward's Science Engage Kits
- Ward's Quick Kits
- Safer STEM
Products and services
- Ward's World Online teacher resource hub offering lesson plans, how-to videos, classroom tips, and a Science By You section with peer-generated activities; available free to K-12 science educators to support lesson preparation and curriculum alignment.
- Ward's Science Engage Kits Curriculum-aligned, inquiry-based kits developed by former educators and curriculum experts to support hands-on, standards-aligned K-12 science instruction across multiple disciplines.
- Ward's Quick Kits Ready-to-use, convenience-focused science kits designed for fast classroom deployment by K-12 educators.
- Ward's Custom Kit Solutions Bespoke kit development service that collaborates directly with educators to design custom science kits matching unique curriculum needs.
- OpenSciEd Kits Classroom-ready kits for middle and high school that include all required materials to deliver OpenSciEd curriculum units, saving educators preparation time.
- Ward's Science Biotech for Life Kits Curriculum-aligned kits designed to deliver biotechnology education with all required materials bundled for classroom use.
- CASE 4 Learning Kits Agricultural Education kits and supplies aligned with the CASE 4 Learning curriculum framework, supported by custom shopping lists and expert guidance for ag educators.
- Edmentum Kits Science kits bundled to align with Edmentum's online learning platform, providing integrated curriculum solutions for schools using Edmentum programs.
- Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Kits STEM-focused kits and curriculum materials aligned with Project Lead the Way's project-based learning programs for K-12 science education.
- Science Olympiad Kits Competition-ready kits and supplies packaged for Science Olympiad teams to use in preparation and at events.
- Chemistry & Chemicals Catalog Catalog of over 3,500 chemistry chemicals along with associated equipment, models, activity kits, and safety supplies for K-12 and introductory college chemistry labs, with Any Chemical Any Time ordering.
- Microscopes and Optics Microscopes, stereomicroscopes, digital microscopes/cameras, telescopes, magnifiers, and accessories for K-12 and introductory college science classrooms.
- Healthcare Education Supplies Hands-on training materials for healthcare education including activities, diagnostic equipment, EMS training, first aid, infection control, patient care, simulated pharmaceuticals, and surgical training supplies.
- Safer STEM Lab safety assessment, training, and classroom-ready resource service offered jointly by Ward's Science and Safer STEM to help educators raise lab safety standards.
- Custom Histology Slides Bespoke histology slide preparation service that delivers custom-prepared microscope slides tailored to educator and curriculum specifications.
- Custom Geology Solutions Custom sourcing and assembly of geology specimens, collections, and equipment for Earth Science classrooms with specific curriculum requirements.
Quantifiable outcome
- Products cover all major science disciplines from biology to forensics, physics to environmental science
Companies that use Ward's Science
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Ward's Science technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Ward's Science partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Safer STEMcorePartnership with Safer STEM to provide educators with assessments, training, and classroom-ready resources for raising lab safety standards. The partnership combines Ward's Science products with Safer STEM's safety expertise to deliver comprehensive safety solutions for science classrooms.
- OpenSciEdcoreOpenSciEd kits provide classroom-ready middle and high school materials aligned with OpenSciEd curriculum, featuring all required materials in ready-to-use kits to save educators time.
- CASE 4 LearningcoreCASE 4 Learning partnership provides curriculum-aligned products, custom shopping lists, and expert support specifically for Agricultural Education programs.
- EdmentumminorEdmentum Kits collaboration provides science education kits aligned with Edmentum's online learning platform, offering integrated curriculum solutions.
- KognityminorKognity partnership offers digital textbooks and interactive learning resources integrated with Ward's Science curriculum offerings.
- Project Lead the WaycoreProject Lead the Way partnership provides STEM-focused kits and curriculum materials aligned with PLTW's project-based learning approach for K-12 science education.
- Science OlympiadminorScience Olympiad Kits partnership provides competition-ready materials and supplies for Science Olympiad teams and events.
- We Are TeachersminorMarketing partnership featuring Ward's Science content hub within We Are Teachers platform, including free activities, videos, and professional resources developed with expert educators.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves1 record
Expansion highlights6 records
Ward's Science competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Carolina Biological Supply Company: Carolina Biological Supply is the closest direct competitor to Ward's Science, also supplying K-12 and higher education science curricula, preserved and living specimens, chemicals, and lab kits across biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science. Both companies compete for school district procurement and teacher loyalty with extensive catalogs and proprietary kit lines.
- Flinn Scientific: Flinn Scientific is a direct peer focused on K-12 and higher education science, providing lab supplies, chemicals, safety training, and curriculum-aligned kits. It mirrors Ward's offering across core science disciplines and competes head-to-head on account-based sales to schools and districts.
- Nasco Education: Nasco Education supplies science, math, health, and agricultural education materials to K-12 schools, with overlapping product lines in preserved specimens, lab equipment, and curriculum kits. It competes with Ward's particularly in biology and agricultural/veterinary education categories.
- School Specialty: School Specialty is a broad K-12 supplies distributor offering science alongside other curriculum areas, serving districts with consolidated procurement. It overlaps directly with Ward's at the institutional/account-sales level for science classroom supplies.
- Educational Innovations: Educational Innovations supplies hands-on science kits and STEM materials for K-12, with strength in physics, earth science, and elementary science. It overlaps with Ward's on direct-to-teacher sales of activity kits and consumables.
Broad incumbents
- Fisher Scientific (part of Thermo Fisher): Fisher Scientific serves both research and education markets with laboratory supplies, chemicals, and equipment. While it focuses more on research than K-12, it overlaps with Ward's in higher education and AP-level chemistry/biology procurement, and notably is a comparable Avantor-owned competitor given overlapping parent ownership.
Emerging players
- Bio-Rad Laboratories: Bio-Rad provides biotechnology and life-science educational kits and equipment to schools through its Science Education division. It competes with Ward's in biotech kits and AP Biology offerings, though narrower in scope.
- Vernier Software & Technology: Vernier provides probeware, data-collection sensors, and lab interfaces for K-12 and college science. Ward's resells Vernier products as part of its Technology category, making Vernier both a partner and a competitor in physics/technology classroom adoption.
- PASCO Scientific: PASCO designs science probeware, sensors, and curriculum software for physics, biology, and chemistry. Like Vernier, it overlaps with Ward's Technology category and competes for adoption in STEM-focused schools and PLTW-style programs.
- Amazon Business: Amazon Business serves K-12 schools and procurement offices with consolidated catalog ordering and competitive pricing on basic lab supplies and consumables. It competes with Ward's for personal-account teachers and indirect procurement of commodity supplies.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ward's Science social profiles
Digital presenceWard's Science financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ward's Science leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Ward's Science funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ward's Science M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ward's Science
What does Ward's Science do?
Ward's Science supplies comprehensive K-12 science education materials, equipment, and curriculum-aligned kits across biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, environmental science, forensics, and healthcare disciplines. The company operates an e-commerce storefront and Ward's World teacher resource hub while providing custom kit solutions, over 3,500 chemicals, specimens, lab equipment, microscopes, and ready-to-use kits to schools, districts, and individual educators across the United States.
Is Ward's Science a public or private company?
Ward's Science is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Ward's Science founded?
Ward's Science was founded in 1862. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Ward's Science based?
Ward's Science is headquartered in Rochester, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ward's Science make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Science Supplies and Equipment Sales are the primary driver. The others are custom Kit and Solutions.
Who are Ward's Science's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Carolina Biological Supply Company, Flinn Scientific, Nasco Education, School Specialty and Educational Innovations. Fisher Scientific (part of Thermo Fisher) is listed as a broad incumbent. Emerging players are Bio-Rad Laboratories, Vernier Software & Technology, PASCO Scientific and Amazon Business.
Does Ward's Science have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ward's Science.
What industry is Ward's Science in?
Ward's Science's product category is Science Education Supplies. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAEAIAC, Science & STEM Lab Equipment & Supplies (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Makerspaces), with a secondary code of EDAEAIAB, Instructional Equipment & Classroom Tools (Whiteboards, Lab Kits, Manipulatives). Its SIC code is 3821.