Look at something up close!

Magnifying lens and microscopes help us to see things that are hidden to our naked eyes. They help us to view the natural world in a new way and to understand how our world works on a microscopic level.

This month take a moment to look at something up close. You can do this by purchasing pre-made slides or by making your own slides.

Don't have a microscope? No problem!

You can get a macro lens that clips onto your smartphone or you can purchase a palm-size microscope (currency scope) for less than $10! You can't see as much as you can using a microscope, but these two options will help you zoom in much closer than you can normally see. (The picture above was taken with a clip-on macro lens!) 

Here are a few ideas for samples to view:

• Hair
• Pollen
• Paper with a printed picture
• Plant Stem
• Flower Petal
• Soil
• Creek water
• Feathers
• Crystals

So, take that dust cover off your microscope or pull out your macro lens and view the objects around you up close and personal!

Need some help with microscopic science?

• How to make a microscope slide at home
• The palm-sized microscope
• Choosing a microscope for homeschool use