FW: TAXACOM,

[Mary Barkworth]

Granted hand lenses are much cheaper. I hate them.  Never could get my
glasses, the hand lens and everything else in line, was never sure that I
was seeing what I was supposed to see, and how do you draw when you are
holding the hand lens and the object?  I know, this brings into serious
question my qualifications as a botany type person.  It is not the only
thing.  To all those for whom a hand lens, works - more power to you.

On a more constructive note - check out: http://www.discoveryscope.com/
Discovery scopes are an elaboration on a hand lens that I think might
work, but I do not work with young people.  They cost more than hand lens,
but a lot less than a dissecting scope. For what it is worth, i have used
them in the field and in teaching. One can pass around a sample that is
held in pinchers - and be fairly sure that the students can really see
what you want them to see.  Another suggestion: check out a good toy store
(not the toy section of a Wal-Mart type store) or nature store - one can
buy what are, essentially, boxes with a magnifying glass for a lid.
Again, they make it possible to share what one is seeing - but the
magnification might not be useful.

Mary
-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Jefferies [mailto:D.W.Jefferies at SHU.AC.UK]
Sent: Friday, March 09, 2001 9:56 AM
To: TAXACOM at USOBI.ORG
Subject: Re: Taxacom,


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