Microscopic Investigations Project
Goals:
1. To demonstrate the skills necessary to use a microscope while investigating an everyday object.
at least three views: the low magnification of a hand lens
and the low and medium powers of a light microscope.
3. To demonstrate skill in using magnification in the study of life science.
4. To compose a reflective piece of writing on an original piece of research.
Background Information: Everyday objects – things you see and handle every day - can look strange, surprising, and even unrecognizable under a microscope. Newsprint paper is rough and full of nooks and crannies. Photograph negatives look spooky. Colored paper is covered with tiny dots of color. Paper currency is full of tiny symbols and patterns that are undetectable with the unaided eye. Welcome to the world of microscopy!
“Microscopy is the technique for producing visible images of structures or details too small to otherwise be seen by the human eye, using a microscope or other magnification tool.” (Definition from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microscopy)
During this activity you are going to select an object to investigate under a microscope that has not been used in class during the introductory microscopy lessons. After selecting and examining your object, you will draw illustrations, and reflect on your discoveries using a microscope. This will be an interesting way to show what you know about using a microscope and to share your work with others.
Materials: An item to investigate and study under magnification that has not been previously examined in class, unlined white (printer) paper, hand lens, microscope, blank slides, cover slips (optional)
Procedure:
· After you have spent some time in class learning how to use a light microscope, select one different object that you would like to use for your own personal investigation. (You will complete the observation of your object in class.) Your object should allow some light to go through it in order for the light microscope to be of use during your examination. Cloth, paper, crystals, etc. work well. Use your classroom experiences to decide what you will investigate.
· Observe, draw, and describe the object from at least three views: magnification under a hand lens, and the low and medium power of a light microscope. High power is optional because it takes a lot of skill and practice to use.
· Use unlined paper to record your images and descriptions.
· Examine the same section of your object throughout your investigation. Arrange your drawings so that the same section of the item is magnified and shown.
· Create your drawings within circles drawn by tracing a small (3 oz.) drinking cup or use the template provided by your teacher.
· Using captions next to each drawing, describe your observations. Your captions should include descriptions of all you see. Record the power of all magnifications. (Most hand lenses have a magnification of 3 to 4x.)
· In a reflective paragraph, compare and contrast the three views of your object by discussing how the image of your object changed from one view to the next. Be creative as well as accurate. Your descriptive paragraph may be handwritten or typed in 12-point font. Your paragraph must have at least 5 sentences.
Suggestions for writing your paragraph:
1. Open with a good hook sentence that relates to your microscope experiences and catches your reader’s attention.
2. Continue by comparing and contrasting the three views of your object. How were they alike and how were they different? What could you see better as you increased the magnification? Did any of the detail disappear? What surprised you?
3. Conclude by reflecting on your new skills as a microscopist. What did you learn? What do you still wonder about? Restate or rework your opening sentence.
· Use a separate sheet of paper to write your one paragraph reflection.
· Write your name and core on the lower right corner of your essay sheet.
· Label the drawing with captions and paragraph sheets Microscopic Investigations.
· Attach the sheets with staples onto an open manila folder. (Your teacher will supply you with blank paper and a manila folder.)
Due date: On or before Friday, Sept. 21st
Suggested Format:
