Biodiversity Microbial Life Activity Engagement for Microscopic Forms of Life

Background 4 Based on Microprise activity in Microcosmos Curriculum (need 2 class periods) 4 Teaches Students how to measure and compare different microorganisms 4 Teaches data collection and organization

Materials 4 Light Microscopes 4 Worksheet with information on microscope function 4 Prepared slides or wet mounts of various protists, for example: –Diatoms –Euglena –Paramecium –Chlamydomonas

Activity Highlights (from worksheet) 4 Using Biology class worksheets on microscopes, students first worked on basic abilities of a light microscope –how images appear (using a letter ‘e’ on a slide) –orientation of image to slide 4 Worksheet covered how to calculate magnification

Activity Highlights (Microprise) 4 Using a clear ruler, students calculated field diameter at each magnification 4 Using field diameter, students calculated size of and drew a simple diagram of one individual for each of 5 slides 4 Compare results on the board and give class results as data for lab reports