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Title: Magnification concepts: The use of video-probe microscopy to stimulate excitement and hands-on discovery in the science classroom K-12

Conference ·
OSTI ID:111140
; ;  [1]
  1. Louisiana State Univ., Baton Rouge, LA (United States); and others

We acquired and loaned several durable, easy-to use, though expensive video-probe microscopes. This hand-held, automatically focusing instrument can be used by a five year old and provides instant, excellent, in-focus images up to 200X on a video screen visible to all students simultaneously. The teacher is thus freed from the technical and logistic considerations involved in conventional classroom microscopy. K-12 teachers preview our videotape on probe utilization. They assemble and demonstrate the unit in the presence of our personnel, then check out the probe for use in their own classrooms. Extremely enthusiastic students examine samples ranging from their own fingerprints and clothing (on TV!) to pond water, prepared microscope slides, and microscope polarizing light phenomena. Teachers report heightened interest in conventional microscope use once the {open_quotes}microscopy connection{close_quotes} has been made.

Research Organization:
Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society, Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC (United States)
OSTI ID:
111140
Report Number(s):
CONF-9404192-; TRN: 95:007145-0077
Resource Relation:
Conference: Sigma Xi forum for scientists educators and national standards on action at the local level, Atlanta, GA (United States), 14-15 Apr 1994; Other Information: PBD: 1994; Related Information: Is Part Of Scientists, educators, and national standards: Action at the local level; PB: 250 p.
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English