Intro to Microscopy (Ages 5-8)
In this one-time class, we will explore using microscopes, and introduce how to make slides.
Melinda Dooley
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(87)
What's included
1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
I got my first microscope when I was about 6 years old, and it opened up a whole new world - the world of the very small. Let's explore this world together! We will talk about parts of a microscope, with an emphasis on using them safely. This part of class is basically show-and-tell, where I show off my digital microscope and talk about different kinds of 'scopes and how they work. We will make slides and look at professionally-made slides, and talk about what we are seeing. Class is basically structured as one long discussion, with students encouraged to interrupt me with questions and comments. We will touch on powers of magnification, from multiplication and methods of measurement, to fields of view. That said, no particular math skills are required, but several are introduced. Class Photo by Artem Podrez from Pexels
Learning Goals
Students will be introduced to safely using microscopes, both analog (a standard laboratory light microscope) and digital. We will explore professionally-made slides (pre-made slides that are commercially available), and talk about making our own homemade slides.
After taking this class, students will be able to make simple slides, focus their microscope to see those slides, and discuss what they see in basic terms.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
I share slides made of various tissues and organs, which means a (non-human) animal had to die to make these slides. I share a story about my mother pricking her finger to make my first blood smear slide.
A good slide is made of glass, and coverslips are some of the thinnest, sharpest glass I know of - we will make slides using a 2nd slide as a cover, to avoid the use of coverslips completely. (This is the same approach I use in secondary science classrooms.) You know your learner best - if you think they need supervision to use glass slides, please join us in class. If you prefer, plastic slides do exist, although the visual detail may not be so great.
Microscopes can vary wildly in value and expense, ranging from easily-broken plastic toys to delicate laboratory machinery. Again, supervise as you think necessary. When I was young, I was able to use my microscope by myself, but needed an adult to help me pick up and move the 'scope whenever necessary. Please err on the side of safety.
Students are free to take this class even if they don't have their own 'scope, but the enthusiastic learner will want their own 'scope for further exploration.
Supply List
In order to make one's own slides, one needs slides (glass slides have the best clarity, but plastic slides are safer for younger learners). Personally, I avoid coverslips until learners are at least high-school age (if not college), but if you trust your learner with practically invisible shards of glass, that's your call. High-quality stains and fixatives do exist, and someday your learner may want to explore that world, but for this class, we will use clear nail polish to fix slides. For maximum benefit from this class, students should have access to a microscope, analog or digital, but even if a student doesn't have their own 'scope, this class will be interesting and useful. That said, in a perfect world, your learner has (1) a microscope, (2) slides, (3) clear nail polish, and (4) something worth looking at, whether it's a plant part, hair, bug, or whatever strikes their interest.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined July, 2020
4.8
87reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
I've taught microscopy to all ages for many years, and broached the concept of using animals in a laboratory with many young learners. Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$15
per classMeets once
55 min
Completed by 35 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 5-8
1-5 learners per class
