Interactive
CK-12 Foundation

Microscopes: Focal Point

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
The 1590s saw the invention of the first compound microscope. Scholars learn about how microscopes work and how to properly focus one. The lesson stresses the science fields that use microscopes and the difference between electron...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Microscope and Cell

For Teachers 11th - 12th
In this science worksheet, students calculate the size of different samples using the microscope as part of a formal lab assignment.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Apple Anatomy

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore produce by examining an apple in class. In this microscopic food lesson, students slice an apple in a specific manner so they can fit it onto a slide and view it through a microscope. Students identify the different...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating a Universally Designed Lesson Plan

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Students investigate plant cells. In this multiple intelligences lesson, students engage in a variety of activities to foster an understanding of plant cells and how they work. Students read, write, observe, and role-play parts and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

I Breath What? Activity-Pollution Detector Worksheet

For Teachers 7th - 9th
In this pollution worksheet, students collect particles using a pollution detector and then observe their results under the microscope.  They calculate the average number of particles collected in three different locations. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Capturing Bacteria Growth

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students grow bacteria. In this bacteria growth lesson, students allow bacteris to incubate for 2-3 days. The teacher uses a document camera to show how to remove the bacteria from the plate. Students remove a small sample of bacteria...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Examining Pond Life

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students collect and examine microscopic life from a local pond. In this biology instructional activity, students examine local pond water, searching for protozoa, with the use of a microscope. Students identify the various life forms in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Magnificent Microscopes

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students use a microscope in a series of activities that are designed to help them explore the "invisible world" and make meaningful microscopic discoveries and learn the importance of the microscope as a tool in science and research.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Calculations Related to the Microscope

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine microscopes and how to calculate total magnification.  In this calculations lesson students complete an activity of calculations. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to Biology

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners examine a microscope and learn its functions.  In this microscope lesson students prepare a wet mount slide and complete calculations. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Defining the Difference Between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine microscopic life by conducting a scientific investigation. In this cell analysis instructional activity, students define the prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and discuss their word origins. Students view each type of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Microscopes

For Teachers 7th
In this microscopes worksheet, 7th graders read information about microscopes and how they work. Students then complete several questions about the passage. Students study the diagram of a microscope using the letter definitions.
Organizer
Curated OER

Cell Theory, Scientists, & Cell Types

For Students 6th - 10th
In this cells worksheet, students compare the characteristics of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. Students describe how different scientists contributed to the cell theory. This worksheet has 6 short answer questions and 1 graphic...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Diversity of Protists

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students identify under a microscope several different genera of protists. They discuss the three different categories of protists. Students discuss characteristics of the protists that they have already been taught. They view and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Seeing Cells

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students discuss what comes to mind when they hear the term cell and discuss what a cell is in biological terms. They look at pictures of cells and color a picture of a cell diagram, writing the job of each part as they go. After the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Time Lapse Seed Germination with the QX3 Intel Digital Microscope

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use the time-lapse feature of the QX3 Intel Digital Microscope to observe germination of seeds. They use the QX3 Intel Digital microscope to create time lapse video films of seed germination experiments.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pond Life Identification Kit

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore ecology and biodiversty. They use the wet-mount procedure to make several slides to view using the microscope and draw what they see.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Microscopic World

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Young scholars identify magnification by first using a magnifying glass and then with photos taken through a microscope. They complete a handout that leads them through each activity stated. Finally, students use their microscope to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Microscope

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Young scholars investigate the parts and functions of a compound microscope. They explore various websites, label the parts of a microscope on a worksheet, view prepared slides, and create drawings of the prepared slides.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Natural and Synthetic Fibers

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study written descriptions of what various fibers look like through a microscope and with the naked eye. Then they actually view these fibers through a microscope and sitting on a table. They identify which is which based on...
Organizer
Curated OER

Microscopes Online

For Students 7th - 10th
In this microscopes worksheet, students access a website to complete questions about the early compound microscopes and the scientist involved in the development. This worksheet has 1 graphic organizer, 7 fill in the blank, and 10 short...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Feeding Paramecia

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students prepare a slide of Paramecium cultures and observe (through a microscope) the organism's thin transparent membrane and what happens as they "feed" them stained yeast cells. They sketch the path the ingested yeast takes as it...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pollen Collection And Identification

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate plant reproduction, pollen collection and identification. They collect pollen samples over a twenty four hour period and examine them under a microscope.
Unit Plan
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Berkeley Lab: The Particle Adventure: Wavelength, the Cave

For Students 9th - 10th
This analogy story explains the manner in which the wavelength of light affects the maximum resolution of a microscope.