For this biology lesson, students label and identify the different parts of a microscope. They complete 16 short answer questions about each part's function and complete 12 review questions in the end.

Second graders become familiar with the parts of the microscope and how it works.  In this microscope instructional activity, 2nd graders experiment with different light and settings.  Students answer questions based on...

In this environmental issues worksheet, students are given 10 current topics that are problems in our environment today. They complete sentences about each topic by filling in the blanks with the appropriate terms. Some of the issues...

Explore the powers of ten while examining a Blue Morpho butterfly wing. Learners discover there is a lot more than meets the eye when one looks close enough.

Students perform a simulation of the workings of an electron microscope to discover that the resolution will need to improved to detect objects in the nano-scale. They use wooden dowels as detectors to determine the shape of objects in...

For this human cells worksheet, 7th graders complete a science experiment using human cheek cells. Students sketch the cells at high and lower power and label the cell nucleus, cytoplasm, and cell membrane.

In this microscopes worksheet, 7th graders read information about microscopes and how they work. Students then complete several questions about the passage. Students study the diagram of a microscope using the letter definitions.

High schoolers collect samples of common dust from their homes and school for examination under a microscope. They identify the components of their samples using the provided "Atlas of Indoor Dust Particles." Pupils take samples form a...

Students use their bee sticks to cross-pollinate their Fast Plants and also focus in on the anatomy of flowers. They analyze how the parts of a system go together, and how these parts depend on each other. Finally, students describe...

Students project and measure the suns image using a refracting telescope.  In this sun's diameter lesson students calculate the magnification of the telescope and determine the diameter if the Sun. 

Students demonstrate their ability to properly make observations using a compound microscope. They prepare an onion skin slide and focus on it in both low and high power. Then they measure the diameter of one of the cells.

Students work in pairs to construct a simple stereoscope.

A collection of intermediate experiments, for students aged ten and up, for exploring the magnification, reflection, and refraction of light.

Student groups rotate through four stations to examine light energy behavior: refraction, magnification, prisms and polarization. They see how a beam of light is refracted (bent) through various transparent mediums. While learning how a...

Using the Lens Equation and the Magnification Equations, students determine numerical information about image distance and image size.

Looks at the differences and similarities between a light microscope and an electron microscope. Discusses their structure, how images are formed, their resolution and magnification, how color is manifested, their portability, cost, and...

While a ray diagram may help one determine the approximate location and size of the image, it will not provide numerical information about image distance and image size. To obtain this, students are introduced to the Mirror Equation and...

This site from Georgia State University Physics Department provides a discussion of how light refracts through the lenses of a microscope. Demonstrates the parts of a microscope and includes an interactive form in which the magnifying...

The premier web site on the physics of microscopy. Includes several pages and numerous Java applets about microscopes and refraction. Thorough, well-illustrated, interactive, fun, and educational. What more can one ask for?

This is a site full of information about various microscopes and the objects and processes scientists study with them. Includes timelines and interactive simulations.

In this activity, students use a virtual biology lab to perform investigations and learn lab procedures using compound and dissecting microscopes to look at a variety of animal and plant cells.

Learn how to calculate the total magnification of a microscope on this concise site. Links to making a slide, questions on the use of the microscope, and other related microscope topics are included on this site.

This site from Georgia State University Physics Department gives a discussion of the manner in which light is refracted by refractive telescopes. Discusses the Galielean telescope and the astronomical telescope.