Our member area comprises seven main sections:

PRACTICALS

A fully searchable database of science practicals covering physics, chemistry, biology and filler lessons. Includes equipment requirements, methods, diagrams, tips and related experiments, all written from a technician perspective. The great thing about this section is that it applies directly to what a science technician does in terms of setting-up of equipment, resources needed and cleaning up afterwards rather than being aimed at the teaching behind the experiment.

EQUIPMENT

This database contains details of equipment that is available through lab suppliers. Includes information on what each item is used for, how it can be maintained, tips for operation and photographs. Ever wondered how to use that old dusty spark counter or how a smoke cell works? A great way to get to know your science equipment.

INFO LIBRARY

This section is full of technical data such as resistor ratings, rock types, chemical info etc as well as a lot of background information, equations, explanations and diagrams enabling technicians and teachers to understand the science behind the equipment and practicals they are using. Also contains downloadable templates for stock checks, logs, inventories etc, a full PAT testing section and an extensive glossary. All of the diagrams can be copied and used on your school's VLE for no extra charge as we have created them for this purpose. Likewise posters such as the periodic tables can be printed off and used in teaching or display work. If you need scientific data such as 'insulation values' or 'sedimentary rock types' don't type it into google, check our Info Library - all pages are relevant, written in English without all the stuff you don't need!

COURSES

Our courses database contains many upcoming technician courses in a geographically searchable format. The courses we list cover many run by CLEAPSS, the ASE, Science Learning Centres and other third party providers. Because we list courses from a variety of providers and companies, our database is the largest of its kind in the UK! Simply click your location on our UK map and upcoming courses in your area will appear. Follow the links contained to book your place online or to contact the course providers.

COMMUNITY

The community section contains useful contact information, website links, technician tips, union membership and news and a regular editorial. What goes into this section is determined by our members' suggestions. This section, like the others, is constantly evolving and in the near future will also include technician vacancies, our newsletter archives as well as a community noticeboard.

FORUMS

Our forums allow technicians and science teachers from all over the country to post questions and answer others, share announcements and notices or just to have a friendly chat. Think of our forums as being one big technician meeting, allowing everyone to share tips and experiences at any time you wish. Because preproom.org is only open to technicians and teachers working in UK secondary and high schools, you know that the information contained in posts is always relevant to you.

PRODUCT COMPARISON

Our aim is to enable technicians to easily compare supplier prices for all kinds of everyday science equipment from beakers and plugs to gas jars and scalpels. 232 individual products to be precise, listed in 77 clear categories. The products we list are the most commonly purchased science items. We know that ordering time can be a long drawn out process with lots of trawling through supplier catalogues looking for the best price for a particular item. With our new feature you can simply select an item from the drop-down menu (eg Pyrex Beaker), select the specification (eg 250ml) and in seconds you can see the current prices from up to 8 of the main lab supply companies. Click to add items to your own personal preproom.org shopping list which you can then print out and use to order in the usual way. The list includes order codes and catalogue page references as well as delivery charge information and supplier contact details. Not only can this feature help you to save your school money but it can also save you lots of time too! Because we understand that the cheapest is not always necessarily the best, where products are not like-for-like we have included useful notes so that you can choose which is most suitable for your needs.

All this for only £14.99 per year!

• As a subscribed member, any of our written content, diagrams or data can be added to your school's Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) for no extra charge. Also any of our posters, templates, diagrams, text or photographs can be used on display boards or in your department without breaking copyright law.
• Sections such as our Product Comparison and Courses databases have never been available to school technicians before...anywhere! We are very proud to be able to produce these unique features and we will continue to develop more over time, specifically for science technicians.
• Our annual subscription charge has been vastly reduced so that it is well within the budget of ALL schools. It works out to be only 28p a week! Compare that to an average £150 for a six hour technician course and you can see that we exude value for money.
• No other website in the UK offers the kind of directed content that we do. Don't spend hours on Google trying to find what you need, chances are it will be here. If it isn't then tell us and we'll add it!
• Even if your science department budget cannot afford £14.99 a year, every local authority school has a 'School Development Grant' which has money allocated for purchasing resources such as this. Your Local Authority may even pay the subscription fee for you from their own technology grant.

The best way to decide whether Preproom.org will be of benefit your department is to take our no obligation free trial.

This involves taking a free 15 minute peek into our member's area so you can see exactly what we offer. Click here to request a free trial. We will email your trial login details usually within a few hours.

Thank you for your interest in Preproom.org, if you have any questions or queries, feel free to email us at enquiries@preproom.org.