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4 Worlds to Explore Through a Stereo Microscope

4 Worlds to Explore Through a Stereo Microscope

 

Grab a Stereo Microscope and head out into the field for a morning of fun exploration. We've given you four ideas of worlds to explore but the options are really endless. Grains of beach sand, shells, different flowers and dissections all make brilliant material. It's incredible to see the minute detail of the most ordinary objects. 

 

What you'll need for a field outing: 

Stereo microscopes (more than one depending on the number of learners)
A few petri dishes
A bucket for collecting water specimens
Glass slides for holding objects flat
Net for catching insects
Net for catching tadpoles and water bugs

 

Remember to choose a good quality Stereo Microscope that is portable with a re-chargeable LED battery. This will give you plenty of time to explore outdoors.

 

The Garden Around You

Right, it's time to get started. First up, we'll look at plants and flowers from the garden around you. Turn on top illumination for general viewing and bottom illumination to view translucent objects. Have a look at the tiny little hairs on the plants and leaves. Also look out for pollen and drops of moisture. 

 

 

Ponds and Waterways

It's time to go fishing! A small net is perfect for catching tadpoles and other water bugs. You could even look at some water plants up close. Remember to take along a bucket and fill it with water so that you can return the specimens safely back to the pond when you're finished with them.

 

 

Into the forest 

There are all kinds of interesting finds in a forest! Look out for feathers as they are pretty breathtaking through a microscope (have a look at the detail below). If you're feeling adventurous, take a net along and catch a few insects to examine.

 

 

Rocks and Soil 

It's really interesting to compare different types of soil. Gather sandy soil, loamy soil and clay soil, then do a comparison between them. You can also look at different types of rocks. 

 

 

We hope these images will inspire you to get outdoors with your own Stereo Microscope and explore.