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Purchasing a microscope to use at home can be a big investment, one that we want to get right so that we don't waste our homeschooling budgets!
In this post, we are going to look at the pros and cons of three different options for magnifying samples. And once you are armed with this information, you'll be able to choose the best option for your homeschool!
Let's dig in . . .
Technically this is called a currency detection microscope. A palm-sized microscope should:
In other words, you can take this device anywhere to help you look at whatever your heart desires up close.
Pros and Cons
Learn a few more tips for using a palm-sized microscope for science.
This microscope is just like the one you used in school! The standard microscope should have:
The standard microscope is the norm when it comes to options for looking at the microscopic world around us.
Pros and Cons
Listen to episode 27 of our podcast for more tips for choosing a standard compound microscope.
These microscopes are the new kids on the block. An external digital microscope should have:
An external digital microscope is a modern option good for a showing the microscopic work to a group of students.
Pros and Cons
You can add a digital camera lens to a standard compound microscope and achieve some of the same benefits as a digital scope.
What you choose will depend upon two main factors:
Any of the three options above will introduce your students to the world they can't see with their naked eye, so you can't go wrong!
Don't miss the following post to learn how tomake your own slides to view with your standard or digital microscope.
If you still have questions about microscopes, please feel free to leave them in the comments below!
Hi! I am homeschooling my 11 year old son and would like a high quality microscope that will last through high school. Would a binocular microscope be easier to use than a monocular? Thank you
Tracy,
Your younger set might have more fun with a dissection scope, but for the long run, I would recommend a standard microscope. If you have the funds to get them both over the next few years, start with getting the dissection type. If not, just get the standard type. Let me know if you have any more questions!
Paige
Morning. I am homeschooling a 10, 6 and 4 year old. Both a dissecting type and standard type appeal to us. In your experience which would benefit the age group I am working with more?
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Paige Hudson
January 19, 2018
Susie,
If your budget allows, go ahead and get a binocular microscope as it makes it easier to view a sample. If not, a good quality monocular will do fine through high school.
Paige