PUBLICATION
The InSciEdRS View: A User-Friendly and Accessible Microscope with Easy-to-Follow Companion Curricula
- Authors
- Shams, S., Olson, S., Ekker, M.P., Salmi, A., Ekker, S.C., Pierret, C.
- ID
- ZDB-PUB-240416-18
- Date
- 2024
- Source
- Zebrafish 21: 101108101-108 (Journal)
- Registered Authors
- Keywords
- K-12 education, modular curricula, science education, student microscope
- MeSH Terms
-
- Animals
- Students
- Microscopy
- Curriculum*
- Humans
- Zebrafish*
- PubMed
- 38621211 Full text @ Zebrafish
Citation
Shams, S., Olson, S., Ekker, M.P., Salmi, A., Ekker, S.C., Pierret, C. (2024) The InSciEdRS View: A User-Friendly and Accessible Microscope with Easy-to-Follow Companion Curricula. Zebrafish. 21:101108101-108.
Abstract
Microscopes are essential for research and education in science. Unlike computers and online learning tools, however, microscopes are not currently a fixed element in K-12 classrooms, due to steep cost, needless complexity, and often requiring a prohibitive level of staff training to effectively deploy. In a collaboration with Area 10 Labs, Integrated Science Education Outreach (InSciEd Out) developed a state-of-the-art alternative microscope, the InSciEdRS View, to reduce the financial barrier, prohibitive per-student cost, unnecessary complexity, and extensive staff training. Utilizing a 1080p camera and a lunchbox-style case, this Wi-Fi- and USB-connectable microscope comes with all necessary components for visualization of microscopic specimens (10 × -50 × magnification). While built to handle the rigors of classroom use, its imaging capability and battery-operation can make it flexible for a laboratory or fieldwork as well. We further highlight here K-12 curricula that we have developed using larval zebrafish to enable teachers, science outreach leaders, and parents to support active hands-on science observations. The InSciEdRS View microscope and the InSciEd Out curricula are readily scalable, translatable, and accessible for traditional and neurodiverse students and integrating these in various settings can be an efficient way to achieve better outcomes in science education.
Genes / Markers
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping