Blog

Summary:

• Owl pellets contain the indigestible bones, fur, and exoskeletons of their prey,
• Owl pellets provide information about the owls that live in an area,
• Scientists can reconstruct the skeletons of the owl’s prey from what they find in owl pellets,
• Use your Foldscope 2.0 to take owl pellet dissections to another level and share your pictures and videos on the Microcosmos!

Summary:

• Polarized light only vibrates in one direction,
• Some materials are birefringent causing color patterns that can be seen with polarized light 
• Use your Foldscope to record this phenomena and share it on the Microcosmos!!

Summary:

• Evaporation is the process of a liquid turning into a gas,
• As water evaporates, any salt dissolved in the water will crystalize and fall out of solution,
• Share your observations of what water evaporation revealed with your explorations!

Summary:

• Bubbles are only spherical when there are no unbalanced forces acting on their surface
• Bubbles can get quite large because bubble solution lowers the surface tension of water
• Share your observations of bubbles with others to show what you learned!

Summary:

• Seeds are composed of only three parts: seed coat, embryo, and food source.
• The intricate beauty of seeds can be seen in microscopic images.
• Share your observations of seeds with others to show what you learned!

Summary:

• Dust is a combination of pollen, dirt, insect parts, hair, dust mites, and skin cells.
• Microscopic organisms like bacteria, mold, and fungi are all around us - even though we can’t see them.
• A Foldscope and a petri dish can help you to see the dust and microorganisms that live all around us.
• Share your observations with others to show what you learned!

Summary:

• Vascular plants distribute water and food internally via specialized structures.
• Xylem moves water up from the roots to the leaves.
• Phloem moves food up and down to where it is needed.
• You can see these structures using your Foldscope! Share your observations with others to show what you learned!

Summary:

• Ladybugs are not all female.
• Ladybugs are not bugs.
• Microscopic studies can reveal connections between the structure and function of the different parts of the ladybug.
• Share your observations with others to show what you learned!

Summary:

• The microscopic properties of soil can help you to understand the macroscopic properties of soil and how it is used.
• Making connections between a natural resource and its cultural significance can deepen your understanding and appreciation of the resource.
• Share your observations with others to show what you learned!

• Students need opportunities to use scientific tools and equipment
• Using a fun thing like candy can make taking scientific measurements an enjoyable experience
• Share your observations with others to show what you learned!

Foldscope Explores... The Fibonacci Sequence

This blog explores the pattern of numbers known as the Fibonacci Sequence. You will learn how to calculate numbers in the sequence, how to model the numbers into a spiral, and how to find the Fibonacci Sequence in nature! And of course, you will take a close look at what you find by putting it in a Foldscope!

Summary:

• Spider webs are made of four basic parts
• Microscopic views of spider silk reveal the structural differences of the four parts
• The vibrations traveling along the silk strands alert the spider as to what is happening on the web
• Share your observations with others to show what you learned!