EXHIBIT 5
June 5, 1997
 
World of Science, Inc.
900 Jefferson Road
Building Four
Rochester, New York 14623
 
  Re: Registration Statement on Form S-1
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
  You have requested our opinion in connection with the Registration Statement
on Form S-1 (the "Registration Statement") filed by World of Science, Inc.
(the "Company") with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), in connection with the
Company's shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common
Stock"), 1,600,000 shares of which are being offered and sold by the Company
and 1,000,000 shares of which are being offered and sold by certain
stockholders of the Company (the "Selling Stockholders"). The shares of Common
Stock to be sold by the Selling Stockholders, together with the shares of
Common Stock to be sold by the Company are herein called the "Shares."
Capitalized terms, unless otherwise defined herein, shall have the meanings
set forth in the Registration Statement.
 
  In connection with this opinion, we have examined the Registration
Statement, the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, the Bylaws of the
Company, certificates of public officials and officers of the Company and such
other documents and records as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for
purposes of our opinion.
 
  Based on the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications and assumptions
referred to herein, we are of the opinion that:
 
    1. The Company is a corporation validly existing and in good standing
  under the laws of the State of New York.
 
    2. The Shares, when sold, will be legally issued, fully paid and
  nonassessable.
 
  We have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as
originals, the conformity to the original documents of all documents submitted
to us as copies, and the truth of all facts recited in all relevant documents.
 
  The opinions set forth above are limited to the laws of the State of New
York and the federal laws of the United States.
 
  We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm under the heading
"Legal Matters" in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement.
 
                                          Very truly yours,
                                             
                                          HARRIS BEACH & WILCOX LLP     
 
                                                 /s/ Thomas E. Willett
                                          By  ______________________________
                                              Thomas E. Willett, Member of the
                                               Firm