Classroom Activities

The LHS/MSA guide, Microscopic Explorations provides a basic set of tested, reliable exercises, presented in an "inquiry science" context. Its ten topics, however, are only an introduction to the microworld. Look at the Project MICRO bibliography for many other possibilities (don't miss the listing for Private Eye). The website list that ends that bibliography even lists several laboratories that provide remote-access scanning electron microscopy for K-12 classs.

If you don't find the lesson that you want, you may be tempted to write your own. To quote Project RISE of the National Academy of Science, "Unlike the other roles for scientists, ... a role in developing instructional materials for K-12 science education is suitable only for a few individuals. Many of those involved in improving science education advise scientists who are interested in developing materials, 'DON'T DO IT!'." You'll find good reasons presented in the RISE website.

There are exceptions to every rule, of course. MICRO will feature new material that provides a direct extension of the content of Microscopic Explorations. Our first activity, The Beanie Baby Mystery, written by microscopist-volunteer Joe Nielley of Abbott Labs, is a good example; it's a direct extension of the "Kitchen Powders" unit of Microscopic Explorations.

The second item isn't an "activity". It's detailed instructions on how to mount an inexpensive digital camera on a microscope and feed the image to a computer; it was contributed by Norman Lazaroff of the Foundation for Microbiological Analysis. An even simpler way to use a digital camera for photomicraphy is shown by clicking here.

The Cornell MICRO program offers several good lessons on their website, and the American Society for Microbiology has detailed exercises online. Many detailed lesson plans on microscopy, lenses, cell structure, and DNA (from the University of Washington) are available here.

The Mattel digital "toy" microscope has possibilities for classroom demonstrations and science fair projects and has a helpful website about it. Both Macintosh software and a useful curriculum guide are available from Neo/SCI; see the QX3 Curriculum Guide in the MICRO bibliography. If you are a Mac user there is a great freeware app called Mixscope that will capture jpegs, tiffs, and timelapse quicktime movies from the QX3 on OS X.

The Project MICRO Sand Collection is an outgrowth of the Activity 8 of Microscopic Explorations. You can request free samples for classroom use - please contribute your own sand to keep this service going.

A PDF for a microscopy lab notebook data page is available here; teachers can make copies for class use.

Another short PDF on Microscopy and imaging of foods - the whys and hows, by Paula Allan-Wojtas, is available from the author at allanwojtasp@agr.gc.ca; it's an easily understood introduction.

Last but not least, Michael Lazaroff, a Conneticut teacher, has a wonderful website tutorial titled "looking vs. seeing" that's available by clicking here. It uses a musical analogy to teach the skill of "real" observation, and it's suitable for upper middle and high school.