manual

8
9
6) To change the magnifying strength, turn the rotating lens turret until you
hear a click.
7) Turn the focusing knob until the objective lens is almost touching the slide.
Don’t let the lens touch the slide as you may break the slide and damage
the lens. Now look through the eyepiece and slowly turn the focusing knob
back until you see the sample clearly. Try changing the color filter to
enhance your specimen's detail.
8) To change the eyepiece, simply unscrew it from the body tube and replace
it with the other eyepiece.
How to Make a Prepared Slide
Samples for examination should be very thin so that light can pass through
them. If the sample is too thick, it will appear dark in the microscope. Cloth
fibers, pollen, dust or salt crystals will be easy to see and make good
samples for you to observe.
If the sample is very thin and clear, a drop of red or blue dye may make
details show more clearly. You can obtain dyes from a science supplies shop.
You can also try making a natural dye by putting a slice of beet root in a
blender and using the purple-red beet juice as a dye. Be sure to get an
adult’s permission first. Transfer a drop of the dye to your slide with the
pipette.
Be careful with dyes as they can stain clothing, furniture or carpets.
Making a Temporary Slide
1. Wipe the slide clean.
2. Prepare a thin sample. You may have to slice it with a scalpel or a razor
blade. Be very careful. Check with an adult before using any sharp tools
for slicing specimens.
3. Pick up your sample with the tweezers and put it on the center section
of the slide. Add one drop of water. If needed, you can now add a drop
of dye.
4. Gently place a temporary slide cover over the sample, being careful not to
allow any air bubbles in.
5. Remove any excess water or dye with a piece of paper towel by pressing
it down gently over the slide cover.
6. Now you can observe your slide.
Making a Permanent Slide
1. Start with a clean slide and cover.
2. Follow Steps 2 and 3 on page 8.
3. Before placing the cover over your sample, add several drops of Gum
Media, Canada Balsam, or other commercially available mounting
adhesives. Or, use a piece of transparent tape.
4. Place the cover gently over the sample and carefully squeeze out any
air bubbles.
5. Place your new slide in a safe place and let it dry for a day.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Wash your hands before and after preparing slides
and after every project. Use warm water and soap. Also wash any of your
microscope kit equipment that you may have used. Make sure that an adult
knows what you are doing and is available to help you.
How to Use the Camera Adapter
The camera adapter can help you photograph your findings using a point-
and-shoot camera. To position the camera adapter, remove the microscope
eyepiece and place the camera adapter over the focusing tube. Place the
camera on the camera adapter base plate so that the camera lens is directly
over the hole in the base plate and shoot your photo.