In 1998, with support from the National Science Foundation, the National Science Resources Center launched a "K–8 Science Education Implementation and Dissemination Center" to improve science education programs in U.S. schools.

The NSRC identified eight LASER Center regions, which serve as focal points for spearheading regional K–8 science education reform. Each region was comprised of a coalition of partners committed to a common purpose and pledged to support school districts as they worked to implement a K–8 inquiry-centered curriculum. The LASER regions have catalyzed science education reform in their regions by building on and expanding previous accomplishments in science education reform.

The Eight Regional LASER Sites

The Eight regional LASER Sites may be reached via the following URLs:

Alabama LASER (http://www.uab.edu/laser/)

California LASER
Northern California http://www.pscubed.org
Southern California http://www.vipscience.com

Rhode Island LASER (http://www.ebecri.org/)

South Carolina LASER (www.sccoalition.org)

Tri-State (New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania, Connecticut) LASER (Web site not available—please contact us with your city and we will provide an appropriate LASER contact.)

Washington State LASER (http://www.wastatelaser.org/)

Western Pennsylvania LASER (http://assetinc.org/)