Taxacom,

[Dave Jefferies]

Can I suggest as a first stage that the use of the hand lens is
encouraged. In the UK we can get very workable x8 and x10 lenses for
about 5GBP ($8?). I have found the the x8 is a bit easier for
beginners to use but that x5 is usually not sufficient to open up the
world. The advantage of a hand lens is that it can be taken outdoors
as well as being used in the lab. In fact my general advice to natural
history groups is that you can forget your jeans but never forget your
hand lens when you go out to the countryside.

Add a notebook and pencil so that the user records and sketches and
here comes the next generation of scientists tooled up and ready to
go.

Dave


Robin Scribailo wrote:
>
> Taxacom,
>
> Since we have been discussing microscopes I have a request. I recently had the opportunity to loan out five of our dissecting microscopes to my son's third grade class for two weeks. I spent a class discussing soil with them and we looked at fungi, worms and anything else that could be put under the scopes. The impact on the class and other classes over the two weeks who rotated around so they could use the microscopes was very heartening. Many of the students had "no idea" how interesting biology could be and exclaimed that they wanted to become scientists and wanted to switich so they could be in the room with the scopes. Unfortunately, most of them will lose that enthusiasm over time with inadequate teaching in biology. The teachers did not realize these kinds of microscopes (dissecting versus those requiring slides) existed, which are far more appropriate for elementary school,  and are now asking about what they might purchase with very limited funds. A zoom would be nice but
> really raises the price. I am more familiar with research scopes and have little experience with lower end models. I think something of decent quality is warranted but I have no experience with Fisher brand, Tasco, etc...,.  Does anyone have experience or recommendations on what and where to buy. Used is certainly a possibility. People can respond directly to me.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Robin

--
Dave Jefferies
Sheffield Hallam University
d.w.jefferies at shu.ac.uk
0114 2253757