Microscopic Explorations

This GEMS guide, for grades four to eight, features ten learning stations designed to enliven student curiosity in a wide diversity of scientific fields. Using hand lenses and microscopes, students observe, record, and investigate water drop magnifiers, fingerprint ridges, dollar bills, color printing, fabrics, salts, sand, kitchen powders, insects, spiders, brine shrimp, and pond life. The 3Discovery Quilt is one of several options for students to sum up their discoveries. Many of the learning station activities make excellent connections to other GEMS units. This guide represents an innovative partnership between GEMS and the Microscopy Society of America which sponsored its development.

Microscopic Explorations introduces fourth-to-eighth grade students to the basic skills of scientific research, microscopic skills of scientific research, microscopic concepts, and applications and is a guidebook to help teachers and community volunteers put together a science microscopy festival. . . . I highly recommend Microscopic Explorations as a well-organized tool to introduce students to microenvironments in a fun, learning atmosphere. -- Science Books & Films, March 1999