1. Introduction to the Microscope
Care
Parts
Focusing
Students will have their microscopes out, for reference as we go through each of the steps. As an introduction, students will be asked what kinds of things they can do with this tool.

2. Microscope Care Always carry with 2 hands
Only use lens paper for cleaning
Do not force knobs
Keep objects clear of the cords
When finished - low power, stage down, and turn off
Teacher demonstrates how to hold the microscope, where the lens paper is located and how to use it. Students will be invited to turn the knobs and observe the stage as it moves up and down. Teacher will demonstrate how to store the microscope.

3. Microscope Parts Ocular Lens (eyepiece) Body Tube Revolving Nosepiece
Arm
Objective Lens
Stage
Stage Clips
Coarse Focus
This is the exact version of the microscope used in class. Students will be identifying the parts on the microscopes at their desks as we go along and what their functions are.
Diaphragm
Fine Focus
Light
Base

4. Using the Microscope Place the slide on the Microscope
Click nosepiece to the lowest (shortest) setting
Look into the eyepiece
Use the coarse focus knob to start out
This brings your object in focus. Then use the fine focus knob to “tweak” the focus and make it really clear.
Give students a slide from the “common things” set, each student will practice focusing and changing objectives.

5. Using High Power Follow the steps to focus using low power
Click the nosepiece to medium power and focus
Click the nosepiece to high power and focus
Do NOT use the Coarse Adjustment Knob in high power
Use the fine adjustment knob to bring the slide in focus
Have students exchange slides so they can look at different things, walk them through using the high power objective to focus slides. Emphasize not using the coarse objective during this process, as it will crack the slides.

6. Fill in the table on your worksheet.
What’s my power
To calculate the power of magnification, multiply the power of the ocular lens by the power of the objective.
What are the powers of magnification for each of the objectives we have on our microscopes?
Fill in the table on your worksheet.

7. The black line as you look through the microscope…
This is a pointer – it moves as you turn the ocular lens (eyepiece)
You don’t need to draw this in when you draw your pictures.
This is used to point to a specific part of your slide when you want someone else to see it.

8. Comparing Powers of Magnification
We can see better details with higher powers of magnification, but we cannot see as much of the image.
Which of these images would be viewed at a higher power of magnification?

9. How to make a wet mount slide
1 – Get a clean slide and cover slip.
2 – Place ONE drop of water in the middle of the slide. Don’t use too much or the water will run off the edge and make a mess!
3 – Place the edge of the cover slip on one side of the water drop.

10. How to make a wet mount slide continued…
4 – Slowly lower the cover slip on top of the drop.
Cover Slip
Lower slowly

11. How to make a wet mount slide continued…
5 – Place the slide on the stage and view it first with the low power objective. Once you see the image, you can rotate the nosepiece to view the slide with the different objectives.
You do not need to use the stage clips when viewing wet-mount slides!

12. REVIEW before you try it You’re not writing this…it’s just review.
1 – Turn on the microscope and then rotate the nosepiece to click the low power objective into place.

13. Finding your image in low power
2 – Place a slide on the stage and secure it using the stage clips. Use the coarse adjustment knob (large knob) to get it the image into view and then use the fine adjustment knob (small knob) to make it clearer.

14. Finding your image in low power
3 – You need to be looking through the microscope as you turn the coarse adjustment knob.
YOU NEED TO TURN THE KNOBS!!!

15. Going to higher powers
4 - Once you have the image in view, rotate the nosepiece to view it under different powers. Draw what you see on your worksheet!
Be careful with the largest objective! Sometimes there is not enough room and you will not be able to use it!

16. Tip…
When you move to higher powers, you may need to move your slide over as you’re looking through the eyepiece (It might look like your object has “moved”).

17. More Tips…
You could also align the part of you object you want to see with the pointer. That makes it easier because the pointer is in the middle of your field of view.

18. When finished…
4 – Turn off the microscope and return the slides you used.
5 – Put your microscope back into low power
6 - Move your stage all the way down.

19. When finished… Return the slides and letter “e” to the pink card
Put the 2 station cards below the pink card

20. Ok, go try it out.
Remember you have to turn the knobs!!! 