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Science Reference Center™

Science Reference Center offers cross-searchable access to the full text of hundreds of reference books, encyclopedias, periodicals and other sources, including animations and videos.

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Relevance to the National Curriculum

Science Reference Center™ is suitable for the teaching, learning and coursework requirements of Science at Key Stages 3, 4 and A/AS level, and the International Baccalaureate.

Content

Updated every two weeks with new and revised content, Science Reference Center™ offers access to:

  • Over 20 encyclopedias and more than 590 reference works.
  • The full text of over 180 periodicals plus more than 800 essays.
  • Full length biographies of almost 4,000 scientists.
  • Over 10,000 scientific images and more than 500 videos.

Other special features:

  • Subject and topic coverage is broad and includes biology, chemistry, physics, environment, the earth and the universe, organisms, health and medicine, chemical and material behaviour, history of science, energy, electricity and radiation, life science, science and society, science as inquiry, scientists, technology, and wildlife.
  • Users can choose to search particular categories of information (such as biographies, periodicals or images), or to search across the database and then refine by categories such as subject, author, content type or publication.
  • Searches can be focused on specific time periods using the historical timeline feature.
  • Search histories enable previous searches to be re-run and revised.
  • A choice of basic, advanced and visual search screens is available.
  • Users can customise their own results page and save their preferences using personal accounts.

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Reviews

"We find it very easy to use, it has excellent coverage and particularly meets the requirements of the International Baccalaureate and A level curriculum requirements." Piers Todd, Head of Library Services, Cheltenham Ladies' College

"Science Reference Center debuts with an A+" School Library Journal

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Access options

A range of access options is on offer to enable teachers and learners to use Science Reference Center™ both within the school (for example, by IP address) and from home (for example, via Shibboleth, and/or username and password).

An unlimited number of staff and students at subscribing schools can access Science Reference Center™ concurrently so it can be used in the classroom with confidence.

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Pricing

Pricing is calculated according to the total number of learners at a school, or schools within a region - so the more schools that subscribe to a resource as a group, the lower the price per learner is likely to be.

All suppliers have guaranteed that the prices negotiated by JISC Collections are the lowest available.

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Subscription and invoicing information

  • The agreement for Science Reference Center™ runs until 31 August 2012.
  • Schools and buying groups can subscribe at any time but are committed until the end of the subscription year in which their subscription starts i.e. 31 August 2010, 31 August 2011, or 31 August 2012.
  • Charges will be prorated - for example, if a subscription starts on 1 January 2010, the cost of the subscription will be for 8 months until 31 August 2010.

Please note that subscriptions will not be set up, and access granted, until a signed copy of the Acceptance of Licence Agreement Form (see below) has been received by JISC Collections for Schools.

An invoice from the subscription start date until the end of the subscription year will also be issued when the signed copy of the Acceptance of Licence Agreement Form (see below) is received.

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How to subscribe

Scan and email it to schoolshelp@jisc.ac.uk
OR
Post an unbound copy to:
JISC Collections for Schools
Unit 7, North Leigh Business Park
North Leigh
Oxfordshire OX29 6SW

  • Keep one signed copy of the full Acceptance of Licence Form for your records.
  • When the signed Acceptance of Licence Form has been received by JISC Collections for Schools, the publisher will be notified and access will be set up.
  • An invoice from the subscription start date until the end of the subscription year will also be sent when the signed Acceptance of Licence Form has been received by JISC Collections for Schools.
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How to get the best price

Prices offered through JISC Collections for Schools are guaranteed to be the lowest available. Schools subscribing individually to one or more JISC Collections for Schools resources benefit from discounts on publishers' list prices in the majority of cases, but schools subscribing as part of a buying group can achieve discounts of up to 75%.

A buying group can consist of any group of schools in a region with a combined total of at least 2,500 learners that places an order for a resource at the same time.

Local authorities, and organisations such as School Library Services, are taking an active role in coordinating buying groups in many areas in order to achieve the highest possible discount.

In addition, an increasing number of schools in informal local or regional networks are also working together to secure the best possible pricing.

To find out what is happening in your area, or if you would like help setting up a buying group, contact jcs-info@jisc.ac.uk.

  • Click here for pricing information
  • Click here to request a free 30-day trial
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Support for teachers

A range of step-by-step guides, tutorials and lesson plans is available.

  • View tutorial on visual search
  • View tutorial on basic searching
  • View tutorial on creating search and journal alerts
  • View tutorial on personalization
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Free trials

Free 30-day trials of Science Reference Center™ are available to enable schools and local authorities to assess its value in teaching and learning.

  • Request a free trial for your school, or for a group of schools
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Subscriber services

Login URL
http://search.ebscohost.com

Further information

Technical, administrative, and user support
Email schoolshelp@jisc.ac.uk
phone: 01993 880044

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