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MarilynW
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| Posted: July 07 2010 at 2:56pm | IP Logged
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We will be using Castle Heights Biology for High School - for those who have used it - do I need to purchase a microscope?
Related question- I have been researching microscopes for a while - I know we should probably have a better quality one (we use one of the smaller personal microscopes) - the main issue has been space as we do not have a dedicated "science space". Any recommendations for a (not too highly priced yet good) microscope?
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AtHomeScience
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| Posted: July 07 2010 at 3:26pm | IP Logged
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I have found Bargain Microscopes to be the best deal around. I purchased my scope through them--it's a great scope at a great price.
You can get an excellent 40x to 400x scope for $175 including shipping. You can get a 40x to 1000x scope (has a 4th oil immersion lens) for $245 including shipping.
I have yet find anyone else that comes close to these prices for equal quality scopes.
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MarilynW
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| Posted: July 13 2010 at 9:57am | IP Logged
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Just wanted to update that I have been discussing this with Castle Heights - and yes a microscope is necessary for Experiences in Biology. I am pleased too as my sixth graders need a better microscope too.
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Marilyn
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MarilynW
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| Posted: July 13 2010 at 10:01am | IP Logged
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AtHomeScience wrote:
I have found Bargain Microscopes to be the best deal around. I purchased my scope through them--it's a great scope at a great price.
You can get an excellent 40x to 400x scope for $175 including shipping. You can get a 40x to 1000x scope (has a 4th oil immersion lens) for $245 including shipping.
I have yet find anyone else that comes close to these prices for equal quality scopes. |
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Kris - my dh and I had been looking at 2 microscopes - I wonder if you could tell me your opinions on them:
1.Sonlight Ultra Microscope
2. Home Science Tools Home Microscope
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: July 13 2010 at 12:18pm | IP Logged
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The Home Science Tools microscope is a good one. We bought ours from them and have been very happy with it.
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AtHomeScience
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| Posted: July 13 2010 at 1:13pm | IP Logged
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Sonlight gives you the most bells and whistles for the price. IMHO, the iris diaphragm and the mechanical stage are more important options than coaxial focus. You can buy a mechanical stage from HTT for an additional $25. The HTT microscope with the iris diaphragm is $210, and then add on the mechanical stage and shipping you are just over $240. Sonlight gives you all that plus coaxial nobs for $230.
Now the 1000x Bargain Microscopes model has halogen lighting--hot but very bright--plus coaxial nobs, iris diaphragm, mechanical stage, AND the oil immersion lens. Total is $245 with shipping.
Fluorescent light does not dry out your wet mount slides with the heat and it is whiter than tungsten. Tungsten is the cheapest and hardest bulb to replace because there's so many types out there. Halogen is the brightest and whitest and used in professional scopes; it is hotter than fluorescent.
Is it worth the extra $15 for an oil immersion lens and halogen lighting? Yes, it is well worth the money but you can certainly do everything you need to for high school biology without them. One use for oil immersion is looking at blood cells. You get a whole lot more detail at this magnification.
HTH!
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AtHomeScience
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| Posted: July 13 2010 at 7:17pm | IP Logged
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Actually, you reminded me that I needed to write my 2010 post for buying a microscope. It is a little different this year since prices and features have changed, and I didn't know about the Sonlight Ultra.
You can read the blog post here.
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MarilynW
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| Posted: July 13 2010 at 7:27pm | IP Logged
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Thanks so much Kris. I enjoyed reading your post.
Just wondering - why is a mechanical stage so helpful?
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AtHomeScience
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| Posted: July 13 2010 at 7:42pm | IP Logged
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A standard stage has two clips to hold the slide. If you want to scan around the slide you either need to pull off the clips, find what you want, and hope you don't bump the slide putting the clips back on, or try to push the slide with the clips on. Try to chase after a swimming organism with those clips on...
With a mechanical stage, you put the slide onto a spring-loaded arm to hold it and then you turn two nobs to smoothly move it back and forth (one nob), up and down (other nob.) Soooo nice to have.
It is like comparing an outhouse to indoor plumbing.  It's up to you if you think it is worth the price.
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MarilynW
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| Posted: July 14 2010 at 6:57am | IP Logged
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Kris - you have me convinced
I am excited about finally having a really good microscope - though a bit anxious about how to set it up and use it - I hope it comes with good instructions!!
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| Posted: July 14 2010 at 7:17am | IP Logged
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MarilynW wrote:
Kris - you have me convinced
I am excited about finally having a really good microscope - though a bit anxious about how to set it up and use it - I hope it comes with good instructions!! |
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I'm excited for you, M! A good scope makes a huge difference!
Adventures With a Microscope by Richard Headstrom is a fantastic little book containing 59 Adventures with the Microscope. It could be a stand-alone course all on its own for an elementary Biology. It offers wonderful explanations and has a simple little chapter at the beginning entitled, "Useful Supplies for Your Laboratory Table and Shelf". We love this little book!
A World In a Drop of Water: Exploring With a Microscope by Alvin Silverstein is another fantastic gem!
Usborne's World of the Microsope is a good little reference to have on hand. I actually prefer finding older copies of Usborne books because they're so affordable, so I can't comment on the content of the book I linked. We have the 1989 edition (which is going for 1 cent right now, btw).
Microscopes and Magnifying Lenses by Janice Van Cleave - love her books!
Enchanted Learning has some free printables on the microscope, too!
Hope this gives you a start with your brand new shiny microscope, Marilyn! Have fun!
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| Posted: July 14 2010 at 7:34am | IP Logged
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Thanks so much Jen. I had actually ordered the Adventures with a Microscope and the Usborne book - I figured that I could pull a unit together for my elementary children. I am going to check out the other books at the library - and also Enchanted Learning.
Hijacking my own thread - I just cannot bring myself to use a textbook for Grade 6 - like Biology I have decided to just get my own plan together. I figured some fun physics that they have already been doing with the books mentioned in the other thread, physics workshop, their electronic circuit sets, knex, magnetix etc. A Microscope Unit. And then some fun chemistry using all our various Chemistry sets and maybe Janice Van Cleave. Also nature study.
I figure that although I am not science genius - it is more important for my children to want to discover and explore and create then it is to fill their heads with facts.
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: July 14 2010 at 12:38pm | IP Logged
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MarilynW wrote:
I figure that although I am not science genius - it is more important for my children to want to discover and explore and create then it is to fill their heads with facts. |
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That would be true even if you were a science genius! Your plan sounds great!
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AtHomeScience
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Did you go with the Sonlight Ultra? There's not much at all to it--if you Google "how to use a microscope" and you'll get articles, illustrations, videos, and animations.
If you ever become a hard-core microscope enthusiast pick up The Microscope and How to Use It by Dr. Georg Stehli, published in 1970. It is like Durell's Amateur Naturalist for home microscopy! 
BTW, the Usborne Complete Book of the Microscope (Internet Linked) has stunning photography but is of little use for home microscopy.
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Topic: Castle Heights Biology Lab - microscope?
