Resources   What we'll learn about importance of observation, measurement scale of objects: those we see and those we can't tools for scientific observation

What you'll need

(You can pick and choose among the following. You don’t need everything on this list.)

• hand lenses, Ultrascopes (hand-held microscopes), if available
• Intel microscope set up on one of your computers
• bags and other containers for collecting specimens
• microscope slides, tweezers, droppers
• latex gloves
• collection of everyday materials to look at: sand, sugar, salt, coins, newspaper and magazine pictures, Velcro, etc. Use your imagination!
• notebooks for journals, pens, pencils, markers

Getting started

• Give members hand lenses, Ultrascopes, and the digital camera, if possible, and send them to collect samples of everyday objects, and "hidden" objects around the Clubhouse (go outside if possible, too). Objects should be something that they are seeing in a different way because of the magnification. They may form teams to do the collecting if they wish.
• Participants could sketch or make a digital picture as well as describe the objects in their journals.
• When everyone has re-assembled have participants share their objects with each other.

What next

Creation and invention:

• make works of art, transforming the pictures made with the Intel microscope, scanner, or other means
• have an art exhibition of your creations

Discussion:

• some observations can lead to inventions: for example, Velcro
• who uses microscopes in their daily work? (detectives, among many others!)
• how scientists collect evidence

Field trip possibilities: a local science museum or laboratory that would let you use a Scanning Electron Microscope as well as some other high-powered professional microscopes other labs where scientists might talk about how they use microscopes and other technology to see the unseen

This image of salt crystals was taken on a Scanning Electron Microscope, scanned into a computer, then colored by Dashawn

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