Microscopic Investigations: Exploring the Unseen (Online class for Grades 7-12), is a rare, once-a-year, virtual opportunity to explore the eyes of science through a scanning electron microscope!
Have you ever wondered how we know what viruses, cells and even atoms look like? The exploration of the microscopic is as vast a frontier as outer space. The ability to scan an image of microscopic reality has transformed science, medicine, and technology.
Students in Microscopic Investigations will have access to basic microscopes for the duration of the class to explore anything they can find inside and outside their homes. Have you ever looked at a flower petal in a microscope? Believe me, it is jaw-dropping. But it gets better. Students will learn how to prepare and send a sample to experts at Hitachi labs and work one on one (virtually) to see their image on a scanning electron microscope (SEM). This is an opportunity most adults never get to experience. Scanning Electron Microscopes are cutting edge technology, and at $20,000 each are not your average classroom piece of equipment. Whether you’re interested in a career in science or simply a fun way to spend the summer as a micro-naut, this class is sure to be surprising, unusual and will change how you see the world.
Instructors Barbara Miner and Mike McKeag, worked as microscopists (specialists in microscope imagery), for a combined 60 years at Intel. Barbara managed an electron microscopy lab and Mike is known for his images of micro-technology, but spends his free time photographing the inner workings of flowers as well as outer space through telescopes.
This class is my personal favorite pick of the summer!
Microscopic Investigations: Exploring the Unseen (online) July 31 - Aug 7, 9 - 10:30 AM, Six Meetings, Fri. - Fri., No meeting on Sat. or Sun. Only 8 spaces available.