Microscope and Activity Journal

Part of the Nancy B's Science Club series, this set pairs a junior microscope with an activity journal for guided observations. The beginner microscope features 30x-400x magnification, LED lighting, a coarse focus knob and a rubber eyepiece cup. There are actually two lights one on the bottom and one on top, so you can use it as a light microscope (for semitransparent slides) and a dissecting microscope (for 3-D objects). Although all plastic, the microscope has a sturdy design and is battery-powered, so you can take it out in the field without worry. While you can't compare this one to an actual compound microscope on optics, it seems to work pretty well for an inexpensive scope, especially in the low magnification range. Several tools are also included with the microscope - four prepared slides, seven blank slides, seven cover slips, a Petri dish, specimen vial, spatula, tweezers, scalpel, stirring rod, test tube and pipette. The 22-page activity journal both acquaints students with how to use the microscope and provides ideas for projects and activities that they can complete while also giving them spaces to record observations. Activities include a variety of subjects, including examining cheek cells, the marks made by various writing utensils, ground spices and more. Please note that the microscope is only battery-powered and requires 3 AA batteries, not included.