BugScope

Type of Resource: Teacher Tools and Information, Online Activities
Free or Fee: Free
Computer Needs: Java Script
Link: Visit the Site!

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Recommendation:

The images on the site are interesting, clear and detailed. Using a high powered microscope without paying to have the equipment is a gift to schools. Plan ahead to be a part of the project and mail specimen in with plenty of time. Read the tips for selecting and shipping specimen to get the best results and gain the most from this project.

Description:

Get a close-up look at insects under high magnification that can be controlled from the classroom! From the website: "The Bugscope project is an educational outreach program for K-12 classrooms. The project provides a resource to classrooms so that they may remotely operate a scanning electron microscope to image 'bugs' at high magnification. The microscope is remotely controlled in real time from a classroom computer over the Internet using a web browser. "Bugscope provides a state-of-the-art microscope resource for teachers that can be readily integrated into classroom activities. The classroom has ownership of the project - they design their own experiment and provide their own bugs to be imaged in the microscope. The Bugscope project is primarily oriented towards K-12 classrooms and there is no cost to participate in the project." There are seven steps to be a part of the Bugscope project: Apply; Schedule Your Session; Test Your Computer and Network Connection; Send Your Specimen; Finalize Session; Run Bugscope Session; Evaluate Session. Find over 30,000 images in the galleries, a 3D gallery of photos and colorized images to utilize in a study of arthropods.

Possible uses:

Use this unique project to supplement a study of insects. Classes can use the Bugscope microscope on one computer, with a computer projector or in a computer lab. Students control the microscope and view specimen up close. They control focus, contrast and brightness. The team at Bugscope sets up 8 preset views of the specimen, too. This site also contains over 30,000 images in galleries that teachers can share with students or students can explore.

Related Resources:

K-3, 4-5, 6-8, 9-12+

Science : Biology

Teacher Tools and Information, Online Activities

Java Script