The Microscopic World

This class requires a microscope and the equipment that goes with it (slides, cover slides, eye droppers/pipettes) and some time outdoors collecting samples.  Your child may need supervision/help using the  microscope and collecting samples.

NGSS Benchmarks:
MS-LS1-1 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes: Conduct an investigation to provide evidence that living things are made of cells; either one cell or many different numbers and types of cells.

Day 1:  Learn the parts of the microscope and how to use it, mount slides, and draw and label observations.

Day 2:  Microscopic Organisms in Pond Water.  Learn how to use the microscope to identify microorganisms that live in pond water.
*  Use picture keys to identify specimens under the microscope
*  Compare and contrast different species under the microscope
*  Draw and label organisms observed

Day 3:  Plant Cells!  Observe onion cells under the microscope.
*  Compare and contrast a plant cell with organisms from pond water.  
*  Draw and label the parts of a plant cell.
*  Make inferences about what function each structure of the cell has based on observations.
* You will need a slice of onion, bromthymol blue or iodine, cover slip, clean microscope slide, pipette, 
   and fresh water.  Additionally, aquatic plant leaves.

Day 4:   Your Cells!  Observe your very own cheek cells under the microscope!
*  Compare and contrast an animal cell with a plant cell and microorganisms.  
*  Draw and label the parts of an animal cell.
*  Make inferences about what function each structure of the cell has based on observations.
*You will need a toothpick or cotton swab, bromthymol blue or iodine, cover slip, clean microscope slide, pipette, 1 cup fresh water and 1 cup water with salt.   Plus, anything else you want to explore/share out on the last day.