Ward's Science

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.

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

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

• Science education supplies
• K-12 science kits
• Laboratory equipment
• Microscopy specimens
• Chemistry education materials

Headquarters

HQ city

Rochester

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, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. Custom Kit and Solutions: Custom kit development and solution services for institutions with specific curriculum requirements, providing tailored science education materials.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core 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

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Safer STEMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership 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.
• OpenSciEdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOpenSciEd 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 LearningcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCASE 4 Learning partnership provides curriculum-aligned products, custom shopping lists, and expert support specifically for Agricultural Education programs.
• EdmentumminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEdmentum Kits collaboration provides science education kits aligned with Edmentum's online learning platform, offering integrated curriculum solutions.
• KognityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKognity partnership offers digital textbooks and interactive learning resources integrated with Ward's Science curriculum offerings.
• Project Lead the WaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject 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 OlympiadminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorScience Olympiad Kits partnership provides competition-ready materials and supplies for Science Olympiad teams and events.
• We Are TeachersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarketing 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

Direct 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

• Xx.com/wardsscience
• YouTubeyoutube.com/wardsci
• Facebookfacebook.com/wardsci
• Instagraminstagram.com/wardsscience

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 Ward's Science