Microscope Mania
Your Activity
Learn how to use a microscope to view really tiny things
Material
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Microscope
Microscope Slides
Pencil
Worksheets: Parts Reference, Identify Parts Quiz, How to use
Microscope, Observation, Make a Slide
Create
1. Study the parts of the microscope using the Parts Reference Worksheet
2. Do the Identify Parts Quiz
3. Using the How to use a Microscope Worksheet, observe few slides and record observations on the
Observation Worksheet.
4. Questions about observing slides:
a. What do you see at the lowest magnification?
b. How did what you saw change as you increased the magnification?
c. How much detail could you see?
5. (Bonus) Make your own slide and view its content under the microscope
Science Topics
Biology
What’s going on?
Microscopes are used to help scientists identify and study things. A microscope lets the scientists observe the
structure of something in detail so he/she can learn more about it or simply make an identification. The microscope
is an instrument used to view objects smaller than can be seen by the naked eye. It is commonly used by scientists
and researchers to see details on tiny objects such as bacteria, pollen, miniscule insects, and the cells of living
tissue. The magnification of objects unseeable by the unaided eye has allowed for countless discoveries and
innovations by all disciplines of science and medicine, and has largely contributed to a greater understanding of the
world due to the ability to see the building blocks of life. Did you know you can look at bacteria, germs, plant parts,
insects and many many more things under the microscope?
Microscope
Observation Worksheet
Name of sample: _______________________
Observations
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Sketches
Microscope
Identify Parts Quiz
Identify correct part by its assigned letter
1. Light Source
2. Scanning Objective
3. Where microscope slide is placed for viewing
4. Low Power Objective
5. Eyepiece
6. Magnifies 40X x 10X times when clicked in place
7. Coarse Knob (used for focusing 4X and 10X power)
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Microscope
How to use a Microscope to view a specimen?
To view the specimens under the microscope, you will use something called a “Slide”.
Did you know that you can buy pre-prepared specimen slides or prepare your own? Well today, we don’t have time to
prepare one, but if you are interested in creating your own, ask your parents to help you learn!!!
Figure 1 - Microscope Specimen Slides
How do I view the specimen slides?
Step 1: Turn the Microscope on.
Step 2: Place the specimen slide on the Stage.
Step 3: Start with the scanning objective (4X). Use the Coarse Knob to focus, image may be small at this
magnification, but you won't be able to find it on the higher powers without this first step. Do not use stage clips, try
moving the slide around until you find something.
Step 4: Once you've focused on Scanning, switch to Low Power. Use the Coarse Knob to refocus. Again, if you
haven't focused on this level, you will not be able to move to the next level.
Step 5: Now switch to High Power. (If you have a thick slide, or a slide without a cover, do NOT use the high
power objective).
Step 6: If the specimen is too light or too dark, try adjusting the diaphragm.
Having problems?
Occasionally you may have trouble with working your microscope. Here are some common problems and solutions.
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Image is too dark!
o Adjust the diaphragm, make sure your light is on.
There's a spot in my viewing field, even when I move the slide the spot stays in the same place!
o Your lens is dirty. Use lens paper, and only lens paper to carefully clean the objective and
ocular lens.
I can't see anything under high power!
o Remember the steps, if you can't focus under scanning and then low power, you won't be
able to focus anything under high power.
Only half of my viewing field is lit, it looks like there's a half-moon in there!
o You probably don't have your objective fully clicked into place.
Microscope
Make a slide
How to make simple microscope slides
You can make some simple slides using common items from around the house!
Materials
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Clear Scotch tape
A few granules of salt, sugar, ground coffee, salt or any other grainy material
Instructions
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To make a slide, tear a 2 ½-3'' long piece of Scotch tape and set it sticky side up on a table or other work area.
Fold over about ½'' of the tape on each end to form finger holds on the sides of the slide.
Next, sprinkle a few grains of salt or sugar in the middle of the sticky part of the slide. You can repeat this with
the other substances if you like, just be sure to label each slide you make with an ink pen or permanent marker
so you will know what's on the slides!
How to make own prepared slides
Let’s look at root and stem sections. Vegetables are a great way to learn about plants. Did you know that carrots are
actually roots, and celery stalks are stems?
Materials
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Celery Stalk (stem)
Carrot (root)
Plain glass microscope slides
Slide cover slips
Water
Instructions
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Cut a few extremely thin slices out of the middle of the carrot, and some from the middle of the celery stalk.
Make a wet mount of the best slice from each vegetable and view them one at a time using your microscope's
4x objective.
Compare and contrast what you see in each one, then switch to the 10x objective to look a little more closely.
To see details of the amazing structure of plants, use the 40x objective and scan each slide, carefully observing
all of the parts and different cells.
Skin cells
It's easy to examine your skin cells. Wash and dry the underside of your wrist. Place a small piece of transparent tape on
the wrist. Using forceps, remove the piece of tape and place the sticky side up on a microscope slide. Use a few drops of
methylene blue to stain the cells and apply the coverslip.
Microscope
Parts Reference
Your microscope has 3 magnifications: Scanning, Low and High. Each objective will have written the magnification. In
addition to this, the ocular lens (eyepiece) has a magnification. The total magnification is the ocular x objective.
Magnification
Ocular lens
Total Magnification
4x
10x
40x
Low Power
10x
10x
100x
High Power
40x
10x
400x
Scanning
Microscope
Activity Lead Notes
Introduction
Students will learn to get familiarized with using a microscope in this activity.
Background
Review the invention of the Microscope
From Wikipedia, The first microscope to be developed was the optical microscope, although the original inventor is not
easy to identify. An early microscope was made in 1590 in Middelburg, Netherlands. Two eyeglass makers are variously
given credit: Hans Lippershey (who developed an early telescope) and Zacharias Janssen. Giovanni Faber coined the
name microscope for Galileo Galilei's compound microscope in 1625 (Galileo had called it the "occhiolino" or "little
eye").
Generate discussion about the importance of Microscope
By using microscopes scientists were able to discover the existence of microorganisms, study the structure of cells, and
see the smallest parts of plants, animals, and fungi. Today, the microscope is still a commonly used tool to diagnosis
illness in hospitals and clinics all over the world.
Since their original invention, microscopes have moved beyond the simple visible light refracting lenses. Electrons, xrays, and infrared rays are used by far more sophisticated (and expensive) microscopes to detect even smaller and
smaller structures. Scanning electron microscopes are able to resolve viruses, which are far smaller than any cell.
Preparation
Setup the workspace by placing the Microscope, the worksheets and the slides on the table.
Make sure the Microscope is working by trying observing few slides under the Microscope yourself.
Procedure
Give students the required worksheets so they can complete the activity.
Review microscope use procedure with the students, if required.
If the student cannot view the specimens, help them troubleshoot the issue.
Safety Instructions
A microscope is an important tool and should be treated carefully. Proper care should be exercised when handling, or
transporting, a microscope in order to avoid damage to the unit. Always carry the microscope with both hands and in
the upright position. If you have a special tote or a box, either will work fine for transportation. When the microscope is
in use, always make sure that it is placed on a flat surface and one that is not shaky. A sturdy table is the best placement
for a microscope, but avoid placing it close to the edge where it could fall off to the side. After each use, follow the
manufacturer's instructions in proper cleanup of the unit, as well as any slides. If you do not plan to view the slides
contents again, they should be cleaned in order to avoid interaction with future items that are placed on the slide for
viewing.