This week was the most microscope intensive day so far. The students started the day with some brain teasers to get things going. They then learned about 3 new Foldscope viewing methods. They learned how to couple their Foldscope with a phone/tablet camera, how to attach an LED bulb rather than using natural light, and, my personal favorite, how to attach it to a phone flashlight and project the slide onto a wall in a dark room! The students practiced using these techniques while they viewed a selection of plant slides borrowed from the district science department.

In the afternoon, we headed out to the Lowell Elementary garden to collect leaves and other samples to make some slides of our own. The students worked in teams to create an imprint sample of the back of a leaf. First, they coated a section of the back of the leaf with clear nail polish and let it dry. Then, they stuck clear tape onto the leaf and peeled it away, leaving the dried polish stuck to the tape. Lastly, they adhered the tape to a clean glass slide and viewed it through their Foldscope. Earlier in the day, the students learned what leaf stomata (little mouths that fuel transpiration) looked like and searched for stomata on their samples. Some students also created slides of flower pollen, petals, and seeds

Next week, the students will design an experiment or ask a question that can only be answered with the use of microscopy. It should be a great finale to our microscopy unit! The students will be able to take their Foldscopes home at the end of the year.