1. Observing single cells (and other nasties) under the microscope The wonderful world of pond scum

2. Preparing wet slides Can be done with either type of slide, a proper wet mount or a flat slide Use a pippette to put a SMALL drop of liquid on Place a cover slip over it

3. If you can't see anything Firstly - focus on a bubble using a low magnification Secondly – increase the magnification, you may be able to see something now if you move the slide a little Thirdly – there may not be anything there after all – make a new slide

4. Things you might see

5. More things you might see When observing many algae what may appear as one organism is actually a colony of single celled organisms

6. Your task See what you can find Draw what you find Share what you find See if you can identify what you find Pond Life Identification Kit: http://www.microscopy- uk.org.uk/index.html?http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/pond/index.html