Lab: Virtual Tour of the Microscope
Lesson Title: Virtual Tour of the Microscope
Grade/Age Level: Middle school grades 6-8 (age 11-14)
Subject Area: Life Science
Number of Classes for Lesson Completion: (1) 45-Minute Class Sessions
Lesson Description
Students will gain familiarity with the compound microscope by exploring an online virtual microscope
Pennsylvania Standards for Science and Technology
The following Pennsylvania Standards will be addressed during the lesson
3.1.6.A8 Explain why the details of most cells are visible only through a microscope
Instructional Objectives
o To be able to compare coarse and fine adjustments
o To be able to compare objects viewed under 10x, 100x, and 400x magnification
o To learn the proper sequence for focusing an object using a compound microscope
Instructional Procedures
o Lesson Set
1. Begin by reading over the introduction to the microscope (http://edtech2.boisestate.edu/pattymcginnis/506/Cell_Site/506_microscope.html).
2. Optional: History Connection. Introduce Robert Hooke using http://edtech2.boisestate.edu/pattymcginnis/506/Cell_Site/506_robert_hooke.html. Show the timeline of the cell theory shown on http://edtech2.boisestate.edu/pattymcginnis/506/Cell_Site/506_cell_theory.html. Have students research one of the scientists shown on the timeline.
3. Ask students to predict the teacher’s rationale for having students begin their microscope studies by using an online microscope.
4. Have students select the link to the online microscope
o Techniques and Activities
Hand out student lab paper and instruct students to follow the directions on the paper. Have students place a compound microscope near their work station so that they can refer to its features as they progress through the online lesson.
o Lesson Closure
Ask students to predict how using a real compound microscope will vary from an online microscope. On an exit ticket, have student list one thing they learned from the activity and one thing that they are still confused about regarding microscopes.
Adaptations for Learners with Special Needs
Print out pictures of images at 10x, 100x, 400x so that students can easily see what the
Microscope image looks like. For students with vision problems, conduct the activity using an interactive white board so that all images are enlarged.
Extension and Remediation Activities
o Extension
Have students conduct the “try this” challenge found on the online site to test their microscope skills
o Remediation
Provide extended time for those students who need it.
Conduct the activity using an interactive white board so that all students can follow along and benefit from teacher instruction
Assessment
o Students will conduct formative assessment in the form of “checkpoints” as they progress through the online activity.
o Learners will be given a lab practical that measures their ability to properly focus a compound microscope in less than 90 seconds. This assessment will occur after students have had experience with an actual compound microscope.
Learner Products
o Lab activity will be collected and assessed for quality and accuracy of work (detailed and labeled drawings)
Student Handout:
Virtual Tour of the Microscope
Begin by going to this website: http://www.udel.edu/biology/ketcham/microscope/scope.html
_____1. Make sure your volume is on then click “Start Tour” at the bottom right of the “Getting Started” box.
_____2. When it asks you to select a slide begin with the green specimen- Onion Root Tip, this is the easiest to see (2nd from top).
_____3. Click the “Switch Objectives” tutorial under the Getting Started box. LISTEN!
CHECKPOINT: Which lens does the tutorial tell you to start with? ______x
_____4. Follow the tutorial prompts to learn how to center the slide and focus your specimen. HINT!!! Use the checklist box on the left side of the screen to monitor your progress!
CHECKPOINT: Describe how the coarse and fine focus differ:
CHECKPOINT: What are you supposed to do with the coarse focus?
_____5. Once your specimen is in focus using the 4X lens, use the revolving nosepiece at the bottom left of your screen to move the 10X lens into place. Use the fine focus to adjust.
CHECKPOINT:
What happens if you try to use the coarse adjustment when the 10X lens is in place?
CHECKPOINT: What happens to your image if you try to magnify it using 40x or 100x?
_____6. Draw the Onion Root Tip using 10x magnification in the appropriate circle on the back of this paper.
_____7. Follow the same procedure for the bacterial capsules and cheek cells slides. Draw the images using the total magnification shown under the circle
Specimen: Onion Root Tips Specimen: Bacterial Capsule
100 x Magnification 1000x Magnification
Specimen: Cheek Cells
400x Magnification
A quick review:
1. What objective lens you should have in place to begin to look at your specimen? ______
2. True or False : You only use the course focus knob when you have the 4X scanning objective in place.______
3. Assuming the light is on and the oculars are in place what are the next 2 steps?
4. If you need more light to view your specimen then you need to adjust the ______.
CHALLENGE! Click “Try This” to test your microscope skills! Do P1 through P6 to test your microscope skills!
- 5 -