I use this lab as an introduction in my Microbiology course, we usually start it on the first day. It could be used in any biology course where you want kids to get comfortable using the microscopes.
Goal of this lab is to get students used to looking into a microscope, observing specimens, then accurately drawing what they see. In my class, we use these skills with a good chunk of the labs we do, whether it is is simple staining, gram staining, identifying cells, etc. good observation and drawing skills are important.
The lab itself is pretty simple. Choose any number of slides of your choice, just make sure there are enough slides for the number of groups in your class. I like to choose slides that are interesting to look at, have unique stains, and identifiable structures. Here is a list of slides that I think work well.
leaf epidermis
yeast
algae
neurons
Planaria
frog blood
frog skin
volvox
spirogyra
any fungi
Then set up microscopes with each slide. Go ahead and get them focused. You can put them on low, high, or oil immersion. Students will need to identify magnification and write that in their drawing. This also helps them see the differences in magnifications.
Students start at one of the microscopes. Look into the microscope and then draw what they see. You can give them a template for them to draw on, or have them make the drawings in a lab notebook. Here's an example of an entry.
Then once students have completed all the stations, give them an identification sheet. This sheet has only a written description of the organism. They have to read the statements, then look at their pictures, and try to match up each specimen with correct description. The goal is for them to see the importance of drawings that are accurate enough to compare with the descriptions.
Here is an example:
Specimen _____ large round or oval structures with smaller round structures found inside. --Volvox
Just remember, kids don't always need a worksheet and a long protocol to follow directions, especially if they are in upper classes. My students in micro are asked to fill out information in their notebook and given some autonomy on how they want to do that. In college, they aren't going to get recipe labs every time and they need to start getting used to making those decisions on their own. This is an easy lab to do that with.
Would love to hear your comments and thoughts!
Happy Teaching!
Mrs. Townsend