Question:
How do you start using Foldscopes in classrooms or outreach programs?
Congratulations on making the choice to bring the world of microscopy to your students! Engaging students with genuine, meaningful, and hands-on science experiences is a crucial part of the learning process. Unfortunately, this is often a cost prohibitive barrier, as science equipment is really expensive. And this is precisely why Foldscopes were invented. An equitable and accessible science education is a fundamental right of all students and Foldscopes can make it happen! This blog will help you to determine which Foldscope is right for your audience, if you need accessories, and which training will make the introduction and normalization of Foldscopes successful for you and your students.
Classroom Kits:
In the Foldscope store there are basic classroom kits (20 Foldscope Minis or 20 Foldscope 2.0s) and large classroom kits (100 Foldscope Minis or 100 Foldscope 2.0s). The large classroom kits also come with 20 accessory pouches (more on accessories below), so you will want to keep that in mind as you consider kit size. Ask yourself how many students you will be working with and if your students will be sharing Foldscopes or getting their own. We recommend that each student have their own Foldscope to keep in their backpacks as this allows them to be active participants in science wherever they are. And the more we can get our students to see that science exists beyond the classroom, the better!
Foldscope Mini or Foldscope 2.0:
There are two different versions of Foldscopes available as classroom sets: the Foldscope Mini and the Foldscope 2.0.
The Foldscope Mini is minimalist in both design and size. It is the perfect tool for younger explorers or those looking for a more exploratory microscopy experience. It is also ideal for outreach programs serving as an introductory tool - and the ease of use makes it a great giveaway that your audience will continue to use on their own! Note that while it is possible to take pictures with a Foldscope Mini, it does not come with a magnetic phone coupler or LED light module coupler. And don’t confuse its simplicity for lack of quality. The Foldscope Mini still provides 140X magnification!
The Foldscope 2.0 is an updated version of the original Foldscope that still comes with a standard 140X magnification lens. This microscope works well in a variety of classroom settings, outdoors, while conducting research in remote places, and for citizen science projects. The Foldscope 2.0 has a streamlined assembly process which means that your students can start doing real microscopy within minutes of opening the envelope! The Foldscope 2.0 also features a magnetic phone coupler - allowing you to take pictures and capture video of your microscopic discoveries.
Accessories:
It is important to remember that Foldscopes can be used as standalone tools. However, we do offer accessories to enhance your microscopy experience (visit our store to see all of the accessories that we offer). Below are just a few of the accessories that we offer. The following will help you decide which could work for your situation.
Premium Accessory Pouches are available for both the Foldscope Mini and the Foldscope 2.0. Note that twenty accessory pouches come with the large classroom kits, but they are also available for purchase separately. These pouches contain slides, stickers, and a variety of sample collection and preparation tools. They are helpful for sample collection and provide a more complete portable microscopy lab for indoor and outdoor exploration.
The LED Light Module 2.0 Kit is a set of 20 lights that attach via a magnet to the back of your Foldscope 2.0. This is helpful for capturing pictures and video and providing uniform lighting to improve the viewing experience. The LED Light Module 2.0 also allows you to explore the microcosmos using brightfield, darkfield, and reflective lighting!
For those wanting a wider variety of magnifications when exploring the microcosmos, the 2.0 Lens Kit is a great accessory to include in your classroom. This kit provides twenty 50X magnification lenses and twenty 340X magnification lenses. These lenses are interchangeable with the standard 140X lens that comes with all Foldscope 2.0s. The 50X lenses give a wider field of view, allowing you to see more of your sample at once under the Foldscope. The 340X lenses are perfect for viewing a smaller area but in much greater detail!
Trading Cards are another important accessory to consider. There are blank trading cards that can be used to mount specimens as dry or wet mounts (just like a glass slide, but without the risk of breakage!). The blank cards can be reused or decorated by your students to show off their science and art skills! MicroRealm Explorer Cards go beyond your traditional prepared slides. With real specimens, beautiful illustrations, scientific information, and fun facts - every card is a window to the microscopic world!
Training:
While we offer tutorials and video expert tips on how to use a Foldscope, we strongly encourage you to sign up for a training session so that you can feel 100% confident in how to assemble, use, and teach with a Foldscope. There are many options available depending on your situation. We have 90 minute online Foldscope 101 workshops (how to use a Foldscope), 90 minute online Foldscope4Educators workshops (best practices for using Foldscope in a classroom or outreach program), and in person training at your facility for groups of 20 participants (perfect for a whole school initiative to incorporate Foldscopes into the curriculum or for organizations looking to conduct outreach programs using Foldscopes). You can also reach out to us for a free 15 minute consultation to help you decide which is right for you or even to customize a training for your group!
Connect:
Share your observations, discoveries, pictures, and interdisciplinary extension activities with the Foldscope community. Submitting your Foldscope images related to the topic to the Microcosmos will help build up a strong scientific database that can help support new and innovative scientific research! Tag us on social media when you post the results of your explorations, creations, and discoveries! We love to see how Foldscopers around the world are using their Foldscopes in new and innovative ways!
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