BCLN – Rev. June, 2015
BIO 11 UNIT 07:Vascular Plants
Name: ___________________
Project 1: Make a Microscope
Potential Credits:
/40
Project Goals:
 to build a smartphone microscope
 to use a smart phone microscope to investigate objects at magnifications of up to 1000x
Necessary supplies:
 supplies should cost approximately $10.00 and may be bought from a dollar and/or
hardware store
 smartphone (not included in estimated cost )
 3x 4 1/2" x 5/16" carriage bolts
 9x 5/16" nuts
 3x 5/16" wing nuts
 5x 5/16" washers
 7" x 7" piece of plywood or shelving board for the base (thickness does not really matter)
 7” x 7” piece of 1/2" thick plexiglass for the camera stage
 3" x 7" piece of 1/2" thick plexiglass for the specimen stage
 ~2" x 4" piece of 1/2" thick plexiglass may be used for a specimen slide but is optional
 1 or 2 focusing lenses from an inexpensive laser pointer such as a keychain laser pointer
 1 inexpensive LED click light such as can a key chain flashlight
Image is from http://www.instructables.com/id/10-Smartphone-to-digital-microscope-conversion/
Page 1 of 3
BCLN – Rev. June, 2015
BIO 11 UNIT 07:Vascular Plants
Necessary tools:
 drill
 assorted drill bits
 ruler
Instructions:
 Please construct your microscope after referring to either of the websites below to learn
how to construct your microscope:
o instructables for a "How To" video and a written step by step guide at:
http://www.instructables.com/id/10-Smartphone-to-digital-microscopeconversion/?ALLSTEPS
o IFLScience
for
just
the
"How
To"
video
at:
http://www.iflscience.com/technology/how-build-smartphone-microscope-stand10
 Please provide photographic evidence of you building your smartphone microscope. (25
marks)
 Please pick any 5 objects/specimens to view with your smartphone microscope under
various magnifications and lighting conditions (natural light, overhead light, LED light).
 Please record your observations including taking photos of your objects and recording:
o the object being viewed
o lighting conditions
o smart phone zoom (i.e., ~ 25%, 50%, 75%)
o any other relevant or interesting observations about the microscope, the preparation
of the object or about the object itself
 Please present your observations as formatted in the example below. (15 marks)
 Please note that cell specimens can often be better viewed when stained. There are many
stains that you can access and use at home. Please refer to the link below for some
examples.
o Microscope Talk at https://microscopetalk.wordpress.com/tips/diy-microscopystain/
Page 2 of 3
BCLN – Rev. June, 2015
BIO 11 UNIT 07:Vascular Plants
Example:
Object: Red Onion Cell
Image 1:
~25% camera magnification
Natural light
Specimen was prepared by
slicing onion as thin as
possible with a razor and then
staining with 1 drop of
methylene blue for 30
seconds.
Image 2:
~25% camera magnification
LED light
Specimen was prepared by
slicing onion as thin as
possible with a razor and then
staining with 1 drop of
methylene blue for 30
seconds.
Image 2:
~75% camera magnification
LED light
Specimen was prepared by
slicing onion as thin as
possible with a razor and then
staining with 1 drop of
methylene blue for 30
seconds.
Marking Guide:
 construction of working smartphone microscope with photographic proof
of you doing the actual construction
 presentation of 3 different view conditions each of 5 different
specimens/object using the smartphone microscope
/25
Total =
Page 3 of 3
/15
40