FTL Under the Microscope:Laptop Tool Time or Toy Time?

Bendle Public Schools

Shannon Rush, Bendle Middle Schoolsrush@bendleschools.org

Sandee Lowthian, West Bendle Elementary School

slowthian@bendleschools.org

What is FTL? FTL is the Freedom to Learn program

providing a wireless laptop to every student.

At Bendle, our 3 – 8 grade students have their very own laptop for use throughout the entire day.

Although students use the laptops across the curriculum, we will be demonstrating the use of microscopes with the laptops as a tool and a toy!

Now, who are you???As you introduce

yourselves: Please fill out the raffle ticket for the Digital Blue Computer Microscope to be given away to one lucky participant here today!

This is what you may win!

Tool / Toy

Traditional Microscopes: Total Magnification – 40x, 100x, 400x Cost - $200-300

QX3/5+ Computer Microscope: Total Magnification – 10x, 60x, 200x Cost – $60-80 Captures Still and Moving Pictures, Edits Pictures, Projects Images for Entire Class to View

Benefits – Using the laptop as a tool and a toy! Learning is Fun!!

Turning everyday objects into big opportunities for fun and learning.

Using software to alter images in imaginative and wacky ways.

Creating an audiovisual show with special effects.

Creating time-lapse movies. Printing out posters, labels and

stickers.

What is the bigger picture?

Language Arts Application1st Clue at 200X2nd Clue at 60X3rd Clue at 10X

What is the Bigger Picture?200X

What is the Bigger Picture?60X

What is the Bigger Picture?10X

What is it?

Study the mystery photos and try to identify each one!

They are all common objects that might be found in your home or in a classroom.

Interesting Objects Coins Hair Feathers Onion skin Gemstones Paper Cloth Shells Bark

Classroom Management-Multiple Microscopes Students work

in small, cooperative groups on projects.

We have 4 students to each microscope.

Classroom Management-Single Microscope

Teacher can project using a single microscope for whole group instruction.

Students can use the single microscope for enrichment activities.

Photography Fun

Print your photo right from the microscope!

Add text to personalize your photo project!

Design Ever wonder what it

would be like to design your own flower?

Use the paint tool and then print a poster of your design!

You might prefer to print stickers, labels or a button of your new design!

Wacky Wonders! Tool Time Can Become Toy Time!

Students take a picture they have saved and make wacky wonders of science!

Can you believe this is a candy conversation heart?

Paint Fun!

Design Fun (do you see a theme of what 5th grade students like?)

Students “camouflage” a word!They saved their picture as “fun1”!

Make a Movie Want to watch a crystal

grow? Want to watch bread

mold form? Want to see a banana

ripen? Want to watch an insect

move? Make a time-lapse video

of it! Want to add audio

effects into the image to enhance the drama?

Explore all these and more!

States of WaterSolid to Liquid!

Fixed or Mobile? Microscope Investigations Students can examine

salt and sugar crystals and compare how they are alike and different with the microscope in its fixed position.

Students can examine rocks and their crystals in an effort to identify the type of rock specimen when they lift the microscope off its base.

Tool TimeA Walking Wonder!

Students can take the microscope on field trips!

Life Sciences –Middle School Activities

Investigate samples of pond water –identify organisms found (label parts)

Sample and analyze various water sources for bacterial or chemical contamination

Grow mold on bread and observe mold spores up-close

Compare/contrast plant and animal cells

Earth Sciences –Middle School Activities

Analyze various soil samples to predict composition and permeability

Identify a rock or mineral based on sample

Observe fossils under microscope to see greater details (i.e. petrified fossils or small insects in amber)

Physical Sciences – Middle School Activities

Identify mystery powders by looking closely at crystalline structures (classify as either crystalline or amorphous solids)

Using paper chromatographyto compare ink mixtures

Capture borax or baking soda crystals forming

Miscellaneous Activities Use basic materials

to teach microscopy skills and the scientific method

Forensic Science – Look at various fibersand/or hairs under microscope to solve a crime

Students can design and conduct their own scientific experiments using the microscope

Images of Sample Organisms The dragonfly

wing looks to be light with supports throughout to keep it strong. I think these help the dragonfly fly fast and keep it from being damaged during flight.

Images of Sample Crystals

Sugar crystals have an irregular shape. These types of crystals make up amorphous solids and will melt when heated.

Salt crystals have an uniform geometric shape. These types of crystals make up crystalline solids.

Images of Sample Fibers

I have compared the sample found at the crime with these two images. I feel that the sample must be made of wool because, after looking at the fibers closely under the microscope, the fiber color, thickness, and texture matches.

Images of Sample Plants

Students are assigned to capture an image using the microscope and identify by labeling specific plant parts using Q3/5+ software.

Sample Videos – Asian Beetles

10X – Top View of Asian Lady Beetle

60X – Bottom View of Asian Lady Beetle

Alternative sources Bait shops – meal worms Craft stores – ribbons, fibers, dried plants,

feathers Pet shops – brine shrimp, water plants Hobby shops – prepared slides, bugs under

amber Nurseries – special soils, sands, live bugs,

mosses, rocks and gravel Public Aquariums and Museums – prepared

slides, crystals, fossils Office supply stores – specialty papers, stickers

Resources

Brochure on Digital Blue Computer Microscope

Lesson Plans for the elementary and middle school classroom

Reproducible worksheets Microscope activities websites

And the winner is….

Your turn to get to play!!!

Explore the Digital Blue Computer Microscope in either its fixed or mobile positions!