Making an Impact with Your Teaching Microscope Laboratory at Open Days

GX Microscopes XPLPOLTEC-3 Polarising Microscopes at Keele University

Open days at educational institutions are a wonderful opportunity for teachers and students to showcase their achievements and engage with the wider community. One crucial aspect of these open days is the teaching microscope laboratory, where educators can demonstrate the wonders of science and microscopy to visitors. A well-equipped and thoughtfully organised laboratory can make a lasting impact on visitors, igniting curiosity and fostering a love for scientific exploration. In this article, we will explore the significance of a laboratory microscope, specifically the binocular laboratory microscope and digital microscope, and discuss how to create a memorable teaching experience at open days.

Importance of a Laboratory Microscope:

The laboratory microscope is an indispensable tool in any science education setting. It allows students to observe and analyse the intricate details of specimens, facilitating a deeper understanding of biological, chemical, and physical phenomena. By incorporating laboratory microscopes in the teaching curriculum, educators can enhance students’ observational and analytical skills, encourage critical thinking, and nurture a passion for scientific inquiry.

Choosing the Best Laboratory Microscope:

Selecting the right laboratory microscope is vital for creating a compelling teaching experience. Opting for a binocular laboratory microscope is highly recommended due to its numerous advantages over monocular microscopes. A binocular microscope provides a more comfortable viewing experience as it allows for both eyes to be used simultaneously. This reduces eye strain and fatigue, making it easier for students to focus and engage with the subject matter. Additionally, a binocular microscope offers better depth perception, allowing for a more accurate interpretation of the observed specimen.

When choosing a laboratory microscope, several factors should be considered:

Microscope magnification

The magnification range is crucial, as it determines the level of detail that can be observed. For viewing solid, lumpy samples at low magnifications (typically up to 50x), a stereo microscope is used. For viewing sections of samples on slides at high magnification for cellular detail up to 1000x magnification, a compound microscope is used (typically an upright compound microscope is most commonly used in teaching laboratories for viewing slides but inverted microscopes are also used for viewing samples in culture flasks, petri dishes or cell cultures in multi-well plates).

GX Microscopes UltraZOOM-1 Stereo Microscopes at Keele University

Quality of optics

The quality of optics should also be taken into account. High-quality optics ensure sharp and clear images, enabling students to explore specimens with precision and accuracy. However, there is a fine balance between lens quality, budget constraints and practicality. Top quality Plan Apochromatic lenses can cost in the thousands, so these are likely to be over-budget and not practical for everyday student use. On the other end of the scale, Achromat lenses will result in some blurring / distortion around the edges of the field of view. The most practical and affordable lenses that offer a reasonable image quality are Plan Achromatic lenses.

The ‘wow factor’

Laboratory microscopes with attachable or built-in screens will add an instant ‘wow factor’ to potential students and they also make a very practical solution for teaching. Attaching a screen to an existing teaching microscope, or purchasing an all-in-one digital microscope, enables multiple students to view the specimen at a time and creates a modern, eye-catching aesthetic to your laboratory.

Euromex NexiusZoom Stereo Microscopes with GXCAM HiChrome-HR4 Cameras and GXCAM HiChrome-HD Display Cameras at the University of Cambridge

Creating a Memorable Teaching Experience:

To make a lasting impact at open days, it is essential to design the teaching microscope laboratory in a way that captivates visitors and encourages their active participation. Here are a few key considerations:

1. Organise specimens effectively: Arrange a diverse range of specimens that showcase the breadth of scientific study. Categorise them logically and provide informative labels to facilitate understanding.
2. Provide clear instructions: Display concise instructions on how to use the microscope effectively. Consider creating interactive posters or handouts that explain microscopy techniques and proper sample preparation.
3. Foster hands-on learning: Allow visitors to engage with the microscopes themselves. Provide prepared slides or encourage visitors to bring their own specimens for examination. This hands-on experience will enhance their understanding and appreciation of the microscopic world.
4. Engage visitors with demonstrations: Conduct live demonstrations to illustrate the capabilities of the laboratory microscope. Show intriguing specimens, highlight interesting features, and explain scientific concepts in an accessible manner.
5. Encourage questions and discussion: Foster an environment where visitors feel comfortable asking questions and engaging in conversations. Encourage educators and students to be approachable and enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge.

Conclusion:

A well-equipped teaching microscope laboratory can make a significant impact on visitors during open days. By choosing the best laboratory microscope, such as a binocular laboratory microscope or all-in-one digital microscope, educators can provide an immersive and engaging learning experience. With thoughtful organisation, clear instructions, hands-on opportunities, and interactive demonstrations, teachers can captivate visitors’ curiosity and inspire a lifelong interest in scientific exploration. So, gear up your teaching microscope laboratory and get ready to make a memorable impression at open days!

GX Microscopes L3201 LED Fluorescence Microscope at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine