4
5
Place the microscope on a flat surface near a bright light, or in the daytime, a window.
Locate the mirror and adjust the angle so that when you look into the eyepiece you
see a bright circle of light.
Do not point the mirror toward the sun as eye damage
may result
. If there is no bright light available or, if the room lighting is poor, you can
use the microscope’s electric illuminator. To turn on the illuminator, flip the mirror
over so that the light bulb is aimed upward. The light will come on by itself. Look
through the eyepiece and adjust the angle of the light until you see a bright circle.
Once you can see a bright light circle in the eyepiece your microscope
is ready for use.
Choose one of the prepared sample slides from your set. Place it un
der the two
spring clips on top of the stage.
Next, choose the magnifying power you want to use. Your microscope can provide
magnifying powers of 300X, 600X, and 1,200X.
Remember that the longer objective lenses provide the higher powers.
Most ob-
serving is done at low power.
To change the magnifying strength turn the revolving lens turret until
you hear a
click.
Turn the focusing knob until the objective lens is almost touching the slide.
Don’t let the lens touch the slide as you may break the slide and damage the
lens. Now look through the eyepiece and slowly turn the focusing knob back
until you see the sample clearly.
H
OW TO
M
AKE A
P
REPARED
S
LIDE
Samples for examination should be very thin so that light can pass through
them. If the sample is too thick it will appear dark in the microscope.
Cloth fibers, pollen, dust, or salt crystals will be easy to see and make good
samples for beginners to observe.
If the sample is very thin and clear a drop of dye may make details show
more clearly. Methylene blue dye can be obtained from an aquarium supply
store.
You can transfer a drop of dye from the bottle to your slide with the pipette.
Be careful with dyes as they can stain clothing, furniture, or carpets.
M
AKING A
T
EMPORARY
S
LIDE
1.
Wipe the slide clean.
2.
Prepare a thin sample. You may have to slice it with a scalpel or a
razor blade. Be very careful. Ask for adult help.
3.
Pick up your sample with the tweezers and put it on the center section
of the slide. Add one drop of water. Or, if needed, you can now add a
drop of dye.
4.
Gently place a temporary slide cover (plastic) over the sample, being
careful not to allow any air bubbles in.
5.
Remove any excess water or dye with a piece of paper towel by press-
ing it down gently over the slide cover.
