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During this unit of discovery, teachers will encourage students in grades 9-10 to explore the world of microscopy. Throughout these 4-5 class periods, the student should discover the structures, functions, and usage of the various parts of the compound light microscope as well as how to measure specimens using a scientific model. If the extension is selected, the students will additionally discover the mathematical skills needed to compute specimen size, area of the field of view, and total magnification. Students will explore the importance of microscopy to promote their own understanding of microscopic life and cellular function. An additional homework extension allows students to create individual blogs using key terms and review each other's blogs in a round-robin manner.

Type: Lesson Plan

After measuring the "field of view" of your microscope, your students can estimate the size of objects with this calculation.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will learn about the four types of microscopes (compound, dissection, transmission electron, and scanning electron) and compare them using the Model Eliciting Activity, or MEA, approach. Students act as a materials selection committee who will help a teacher decide which type(s) of microscopes are best suited for his classroom.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will learn microscope basics including parts of a compound light microscope, different types of microscopes, and how microscopes work. This lesson includes a 4-day plan that has students label the parts of a microscope with the teacher, in a group, and using a microscope. The students will also complete a presentation on a specific type of microscope.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will address the three main tenets of cell theory by investigating: (1) "How big is a cell?" (using virtual scaling and compound microscope skills); (2) "What do cells do?" (students will build a model of a cell using craft materials); and (3) "Where do new cells come from?" (interpreting evidence from graphs and making new predictions). This lesson would work well paired with a review on what constitutes a scientific theory and student practice of using compound microscopes.

Type: Lesson Plan

Learn how you can use a microscope as a tool to measure objects in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Learn how to determine differences and similarities of the structure and function of compound light microscopes, dissecting microscopes, scanning electron microscopes and transmitting electron microscopes.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Scientists use microscopes to see what is invisible to the naked eye.

Download the CPALMS Perspectives video student note taking guide.

Type: Perspectives Video: Expert

This tutorial will help the learner visualize how a cell or single celled organism can differ in its view when looked at under different magnifications and different types of microscopes. This tutorial can be used by the teacher as an added resource for their lesson about different microscopes and how they work..

Type: Tutorial

A unit that can be used as a whole or in parts. Teaches the parts of a microscope as well as the concept of magnification through lab stations. Includes slideshow, worksheets, links and activities, review and quizzes.

Type: Unit/Lesson Sequence

This is a very clear, thorough, easy to understand video on cells. It includes the history of the microscope, types of microscopes, future microscope technology, and how they all work. The majority of the video is a comparison/contrast of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, including size, structure and function of the organelles in a eukaryotic cell.

Type: Video/Audio/Animation

Paul Anderson takes you on a tour of the cell. He starts by explaining the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. He also explains why cells are small but not infinitely small. He also explains how the organelles work together in a similar fashion.

Type: Video/Audio/Animation

This site provides an introduction to microscopy and microscopes including history, images, and interactives.

Type: Virtual Manipulative