(High School Biology Compound Microscope Labs / Introduction to Microscopy & Microbiology)

In the lab, we will start by introducing the topic for the day. Then, I will assist students in creating wet-mount slides and examining specimens. The remainder of the lab will be for students to explore wet-mount slides or view prepared slides at their discretion. Students are encouraged to ask questions and share their observations with pictures. I will be checking in with students regularly and available to answer any questions they may have.

To fully participate in this lab course, you will need a functioning compound microscope that has the ability to magnify at 40x, 10x, and 40x. Please confirm all pieces are present and functioning, if unsure contact me prior to first lab and I will glad to help with basics.  Additionally, if possible, it would be beneficial to have  ocular (eyepiece) lens of 10x or 25x. I recommend using the 10x lens as it allows for a larger field of view. Having a second eyepiece also facilitates easy magnification increases. With a microscope, you will be able to explore everyday surroundings and discover mesmerizing details that are sure to leave you in wonder! 

Please take note of the following:
1. Student compound microscopes have increased magnification, some come with 10x eyepiece, many come with 25x (some have 2x extender). What does this mean? 
      Low power viewing    10x times 4x = 40x - is now 25x times 4x =100x (add 2x extender (200x) 
      Medium power            10x times 10x = 100x, is now 25x times 4x = 250x (add 2x = 500x)
      High Power                  10x times 40x = 400x, is now 25x times 4x = 1000x (add 2x = 2000x)
In the past 1000x was primarily viewed with special oil immersion lens, add to it students can now easily take digital pictures of what they are viewing, both making it easier to sketch and to share. 
2.  This class relies primarily on slides your student will learn techniques to make, prepared slides are optional.
3. They have the option of taking digital pictures through the eye piece making what they are viewing easily shareable. 

During each lab session, we will explore specific topics using both wet-mount and prepared slides. It's a good idea for students to take notes on their observations in a notebook. Although I will provide a standard report format, students can choose to use either a physical or digital notebook. Here's a summary of the topics we'll cover and the suggested slides for each lab.

Week 1 
Introduction to microscope and all its features. Practice viewing news print and sketching. 
Wet-mount slide: (1) newsprint and (2) swab cheek cells with toothpick and Methylene Blue (optional).
(microscope, newspaper, tooth pick, slide, slide cover slip, Methylene Blue, soap and water to clean slide)

Week 2: Kingdom Monera/ Protista 
Observe and draw prepared Protista slides as viewed under microscope. 
Wet-mount slide: aquarium, pond, lake or ocean water sample if available, use to prepare slide and view sample. 
(Microscope, prepared slides with Protista -amoeba, paramecium, euglena, volvox, spirogyra, diatom
**optional: water sample, slide, cover slip, eye dropper)

Week 3: Cell Structure
 Wet-mount slides (1) red onion and water, (2) red onion and salt water solution. 
prepared slides ranunculus root, zea mays root.
(red onion, 2 slides, 2 cover slips, water, salt)

Week 4: Kingdom Fungi
Wet-mount slides from (1) either wild or purchased mushroom at room temperature, and (2) bread or fruit mold specimen.
Optional: Camembert cheese sample for wet-mount slide
(slides, coverslips, water, scalpel/ knife, probe, mushroom, molded bread/ fruit sample, optional cheese)

Week 5 The Cell
Wet-mount slides: (1) cork sample and (2) onion (iodine optional) / red onion.  
Prepared slides: animal cells, (hydra), plant cells 
(cork, onion (iodine optional) or red onion, slides, cover slip, water, eye dropper, scalpel/ knife, paper towel)  

 Week 6 The Cell/ Cell Reproduction DNA
Wet-mount slide: (1) banana sample (optional - iodine stain) and (2) Anacharis leaf (or other thin plant leaf).
View prepared slides: Root tip slide - Allium root tip, Ascarsis mitosis.
(banana, iodine (optional), Anarcharis leaf, water, salt, cotton swab, slides, cover slips, scalpel/ knife)

Week 7 Invertebrates Of Kingdom Animalia
Wet-mount slide: natural sponge spicules using sample from natural sponge.
Prepared slides: sponge, hydra and planarian - insect slides
(natural sponge, slide, slide cover slip, tweezers/ probe, scalpel/ knife, eye dropper, water)

Week 8 Kingdom Animalia: Phylum Chordata
Optional: wet-mount slides - red blood cells. 
Prepared slides: frog blood, red blood cells.
Observation of different kinds of tissue cells under microscope
Prepared slides: muscle tissue, nerve tissue, epithelial tissue, connective tissue)
(optional--...drop of ..blood ...slide, cover slip, sanitized pin)

Week 9 Kingdom Plantae
Wet-mount slide: flower pollen and petals.
Prepared slides: Zea mays (corn) stem, Zea mays (corn) root, Ranunculus stem, Ranunculus root. 
(flower, scalpel, slide, cover slip, water, eye dropper)