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What are all of these things for?
a) Microscope The microscope holds samples of very small things on
clear slides. It shines a bright light through the small sample, and then
lenses make the sample look very big. Your microscope can make things
look 50 times, 150 times, 300 times, 450 times, or even 900 times larger
than the way you see them with your own eyes.
b) Eyepieces The eyepieces are special magnifying lenses that work with
your microscope’s other eyepieces.
c) Camera Adapter Photograph your findings using your point-and-shoot
camera and adapter.
d) Projection/Drawing Device – This device lets you project an image of the
slide you are examining either on a white wall, onto its own small viewing
screen, or onto a piece of white paper. You can share your discoveries
with friends or trace the image to create your own drawings.
e) Scalpel – A scalpel is a sharp blade used to cut very thin pieces of
material so you can look at them with your microscope.
f) Spatula - The spatula has a large flat blade, but it is not as sharp as the
scalpel. The spatula is used for scraping off bits of material for testing and
to mash and flatten soft samples.
g) Tweezers – The tweezers are used to pick up small samples and to
handle samples that you don’t want to touch with your hands like slimy
mold!
h) Magnifying Glass – This is useful for taking a close look at a sample
before examining it under the high power magnification of your
microscope.
i) Measuring Graduate – This plastic cup is marked with measuring lines so
that you can accurately measure quantities of liquids in your experiments.
j) Stirring Rod Use this rod to mix fluids until they are well blended. An
example is when you mix salt in with water.
k) Pipette – This is a plastic device that you can dip into a liquid to transfer a
drop or two to a slide for examination.
l) Test Tube with Cap – This thin, clear tube is used to hold liquid samples
when you want to see if anything is happening, such as when a sample
changes color.
m) Petri Dish – This round, flat dish with a clear cover is used to grow and
observe samples, such as molds.
n) Specimen Vials These are little plastic bottles with tight-fitting lids. They
are used to carry your samples from where you collected them to where
you have your microscope set up.
o) Prepared Slides – These slides have samples on them that have been
prepared by professionals for you to examine.
p) Blank Slides – These are the clear slides that you will place prepared
samples on for examination under your microscope.
q) Slide Labels – These are little pieces of paper with sticky backs. You can
write on them and stick them on your slides to record information such as
when the sample was prepared.
r) Slide Covers – These are little squares made of thin, clear plastic. They
are used to cover very small samples on a slide. See the instructions in
this guide for making temporary and permanent slides.
s) Storage and Carrying Case – This heavy-duty case has been specifically
made to hold the components of your microscope set safely and securely.