Microscopy

Purpose: Younger students often have considerable difficulty in making scientific observations when using a microscope. The nature of microscopy makes it challenging for teachers to be sure that students are observing the intended image. Using a mobile device to photograph an image through a microscope can be used as a stepping stone to becoming an independent and confident microscope user.

Teaching approach: Once students have focussed on an object using a microscope get them to take an image of what they see through the eyepiece using a smart phone or similar. The photograph can then be discussed, projected onto a screen or imported into an image editing app for annotation and labelling. Using the photograph, it is possible to point out key features, explain the difference between annotation and labelling, or discuss magnification. The student then needs to relate the image and what they have learned through discussion back to direct observation through the microscope. Ultimately students should be able to record their observations directly by construction of scientific drawings and diagrams, but comparison of their drawing with a photograph is a useful exercise in understanding the conventions used in communicating science.

Preparation: No additional materials are required in order to take a photograph through a microscope using a smart phone. It will take some practice to hold the device in the correct position at the required angle without the use of a support. Alternatively, inexpensive attachments can be purchased that fix the phone in position over the eyepiece. An app such as Skitch can be used to annotate and label photographs if preferred to the markup tools that are part of the Photos app on iOS devices.

There are a wide range of attachments available for linking a phone to a microscope. The example here is for iPhones

• https://www.arcturuslabs.com

• An alternative to photographing through a standard microscope is to add a lens to the phone camera, if a magnified image is required rather than supporting the skill of using a microscope. Many models of add-on magnifiers are available at a range of prices. This inexpensive model is produced by the Science Museum.

• https://www.maplin.co.uk/p/science-museum-smartphone-microscope-a49wh