Microscope Activities for K-12

The web sites listed below contain microscope activities and introductions to microscopes and microscopy for elementary or secondary education. Additional microscope resources are included in the Guide to Microscopy Resources.

Light Microscopy

Microscopic Explorations

This Great Explorations in Math and Science or GEMS guide features ten learning stations designed to enliven student curiosity in a wide diversity of scientific fields.  It represents an innovative partnership between GEMS and the Microscopy Society of America.

Patterns in Nature

An EXCEPTIONAL SITE with an extensive collection of online readings, activities, and useful tools including a glossary and reference list. Sections include Optical microscopy, Ion Beam Analysis using PIXE, and Scanning Probe Microscopy.

Fun Science Gallery

Collection of articles that include building a glass-sphere microscope, a stereoscopic microscope and a compound microscope as well as several articles on exploring microscopic worlds.

Microscopy-UK

An active site dedicated to amateur microscopy.  Helpful articles for using microscopes to study pond life, insects, biology, and interesting items collected from around the home.  The site is highly recommended for the hobbyist, novice, and young microscopist. From David Walker and Maurice Smith.

Scope-On-A-Rope

Lesson plans for hand held digital magnifying camera "microscopes". From Louisiana State University

The Microscopy Primer

A freely accessible primer in light microscopy for educational purposes or self-study.

Electron Microscopes and Their Use

Electron Microscopy for Dummies

An overview that includes electron microscope techniques, specimen preparation, cryo, Single Particle Reconstruction

Museum of Science, Boston

The site has information on how an SEM works, a gallery of images, teacher resources which includes information on building a light microscope and techniques for light microscopy, and links to other science sites.

World of Scanning Electron Microscopy, Iowa State University

The site also has multiple introductions to electron microscopy each geared for a different level of education starting with elementary. There is also an image gallery.

MicroWorlds

Learn about the far ultraviolet and the soft x-ray regions of the electromagnetic spectrum and how they are used in this very special microscope.

Sites for Learning About Microscopic Worlds

Virtual Cell

Virtual Cell is a collection of still images, texts and movies covering the structure and functioning of a typical plant cell. Clicking the mouse, allows you to see different parts of the cell. Electron micrographs are included. University of Illinois

Microbe Zoo

A quality resource for microbiology education that will appeal to children and adults. The emphasis is on how microbes are a part of your life. Includes descriptions and images. Techniques used for imaging are laser scanning confocal microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and light microscopy. Digital Learning Center for Microbial Ecology, Michigan State University

Micromachines the MEMS Initiative

Imagine working machines with gears no bigger than a grain of pollen. From Sandia National Laboratories