Science·Organisms & Life Processes·procedural
Using a Microscope
Use a light microscope correctly to prepare, focus, and examine biological specimens, including making accurate labelled drawings at an appropriate magnification
Suggested ages 11–12
Evidence of understanding
- Sets up a light microscope safely and correctly (course focus then fine focus)
- Prepares a wet mount slide with a biological specimen (e.g. onion skin)
- Calculates the magnification of an image (magnification = image size ÷ actual size)
- Draws an accurate labelled diagram of observed cells with a scale
Assessment prompt
If Using a Microscope had to use a school microscope to study a biological specimen, could they set it up correctly, find what they're looking for, and produce a labelled scientific drawing of what they see?
Standards alignment
MS-LS1-1US · ngss-ms
MS-LS1-1
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Middle School
KS3.Sci.Bio.Cells.1GB · uk-nc-2013
Cells as the fundamental unit
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · KS3
KS3.Sci.WS.SA.4GB · uk-nc-2013
Use appropriate techniques and apparatus safely
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · KS3