Kitazawa Chisato

In science classes, the use of a microscope evokes an enthusiastic and exciting response from students. When students attempt to gain an understanding of the size of samples under a microscope, micrometers of two types are generally required to measure sizes. An eyepiece micrometer contains an attached eyepiece lens, while a stage micrometer is placed on the stage to provide accurate information pertaining to length. When the magnification of the objective lens is changed, the scale of the eyepiece micrometer is changed. Hence, we need to measure the scale of the eyepiece micrometer before observation for each magnification. However, students can find this principle difficult to comprehend when calculating the ratio. In this study, we introduced teaching material demonstrating the eyepiece micrometer using a kitchen towel wick in an effort to explain the principle of scale when using a microscope. This approach should prove useful in helping to clarify the principle using simple material that students can easily make themselves. Finally, this method should facilitate an understanding of difficult concepts by encouraging students to experience changes in image size from different perspectives using familiar materials, or in other words, elements of “STEAM”.

Microscopic observation is one of the most basic and important skills for experiments in biology classes from compulsory education through to higher education. Microscopic observation in biology can help us better understand the microstructures of organisms and convey notions of beauty and fascination regarding the detailed nature of the microworld, which we cannot observe through our unaided eyes. However, many lab classes were postponed for the summer break because it was difficult for the faculty to conduct lab classes using equipment such as microscopes for non-face-toface learning at the university in the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under this situation, we planned that students do the experiment at home using handmade microscope. Students could make a simple Leeuwenhoek microscope very easily and use to understand the principle of the microscope. A non-face-to-face class required students to take the initiative in learning, which led to a better understanding of the principles of microscopy. Hence, the future integration of this nonface-to-face learning using a handmade microscope into an existing face-to-face lab class will be very useful for the teaching of science, especially biology, at many schools by science teachers and researchers.