Microscopic Investigations Project
Goals:
- To demonstrate the skills necessary to use a microscope while
investigating everyday objects
- To compare and contrast images of an object or material from at least
three views: the low magnification of a hand lens and the low and medium
powers of a compound light microscope.
- To demonstrate skill in using magnification in the study of life science.
- 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, "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."
See how everyday items appear strange, yet fascinating under a microscope
This exciting introductory activity reviews the fundamentals of operating a
microscope. It is designed to help students improve their skills in making and
observing slides. Cooperative learning and cross-curricular ideas are introduced
as students work together to explain their findings and improve their
techniques.
Materials: an item to investigate and study under magnification, 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 our light
microscopes, select one different object that you would like to use for your
own personal research. Your object should allow some light to go through it in
order for the light microscope to be of use for your investigation. 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.
- Using captions next to each drawing, describe your observations. Your
captions should include descriptions of all you see. Record the power of all
magnifications.
- 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. Use a separate sheet of paper. Write
your name and core on the lower right corner of your essay sheet.
- Label the drawing with captions and paragraph sheets Microscopic
Investigations.
- Mount the sheets with staples into an open manila folder.
Microscopic Investigations Grading Formula
Students begin with 100% for attempting all sections.
- Each drawing = 10 points
- Each description = 10 points
- The five-sentence essay = 40 points: For full credit the essay must
describe how the image of the object changed from 4x with the hand lens to 40x
under low power to 100x under the medium power lens.
Points are deducted as follows.
- 5 for each missing sentence in the essay
- 5 for failing to identify the specimen
- 5 for descriptions that need clarification or descriptions that are vague
- 5 for not providing clear descriptions
- 2 for a sentence that doesn’t make sense or a sentence fragment
- 1 for using "it" instead of a noun when necessary
No points are deducted for spelling or grammar mistakes