Friday, July 29, 2011

Becoming HighTech

18th century microscopes from the Musée des Arts et Métiers, Paris

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A microscope (from the Greek: μικρός, mikrós, "small" and σκοπεῖν, skopeîn, "to look" or "see") is an instrument used to see objects that are too small for the naked eye. The science of investigating small objects using such an instrument is called microscopy. Microscopic means invisible to the eye unless aided by a microscope.
There are many types of microscopes, the most common and first to be invented is the optical microscope which uses light to image the sample. Other major types of microscopes are the electron microscope (both the transmission electron microscope and the scanning electron microscope) and the various types of scanning probe microscope.



An example of a modern light microscope






When I was in High School, microscope is just one of the so many things that exist only in pictures, books and visual aids of my science teacher. I am one of the thousands or even millions of students who are not lucky enough to be given a chance to handle and manipulate microscope. Because of this, there are so many Biological concepts that seems like a fiction to me. But I love fictions; fairy tales, drama, scifi and alike. Maybe this is one of the factors why I choose to take Bachelor of Secondary Education major in General Science.
During my college days, I am lucky enough to manipulate different kinds of microscope such as compound microscope and light microscope.
Nowadays teaching Biology with the aid of microscope is an inspiring and "head up highing" experience. Inspiring because whenever I see students who are very excited and eager to manipulate the microscope, I feel so energized. It seems that I have adrenaline that can last for a day.
"head up-high" because seeing the students successfully and  very amaze in viewing their specimen under the microscope, gives a feeling of being an effective teaching.

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A2KJkevFAzFOtgoAOTyJzbkF?p=compond+microscope&fr=yfp-t-701&ei=utf-8&x=wrt&y=Search

This is an example of a compound microscope that is available for students of Antipolo National High to use.  At present, Antipolo National High School have 6 new units of compound microscope.

Aside from a chance to use microscope and teach Biology with the aid of microscope, I had also given a chance to experience the virtual microscope. I have encounter this virtual microscope because of our MAT Sci. 202 professor, Prof. Tessie A. Estrabo.
For you to experience the virtual microscope, please click on the link below.
http://www.udel.edu/biology/ketcham/microscope/scope.htm

Upon knowing that there are virtual microscopes which are available for the students who are inclined in using the net, I had asked my students to try it. The next day, I can hear them saying "we are becoming HighTech!"

References:
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