Since 2011, Furman has been coordinating a program that enables teachers to access\u00a0handheld, digital microscope for use in their classroom. \u00a0The program is FREE (no cost to the teachers or school) and only requires a short training session\u00a0(preferably for a group of teachers at one school) before the teacher can request one or more scopes to be\u00a0used in the classroom.<\/p>\n
It is a microscope but one that does not require\u00a0tweaking knobs and looking through an eye-piece. \u00a0The scope has interchangeable lens so you can magnify at\u00a030X, 50X, 100x, 200x or even\u00a0400X. \u00a0These \u201cTouch & View\u201d lenses allow you to magnify images by touching them with the microscope lens tip – ie. they focus\u00a0instantly.<\/p>\n
Through a collaboration with Lousianna State University\u00a0(LSU) and\u00a0a borrowed scope, \u00a0Furman piloted a loaning program in 2010-2011. Through NSF and\u00a0NIH funding, we now have 8\u00a0scopes available (see descriptions below). Any South Carolina teacher involved with science curriculum in a public, private, or parochial K-12 school within the upstate region of South Carolina, or an administrator wishing to promote science education within his\/her school (or district)\u00a0is eligible to request use of the instrument.<\/p>\n
All of our scopes have been purchased through School Technology Resources (STR).\u00a0 For a full description of the software and hardware requirements and capabilities consult the STR site<\/a>.\u00a0 A brief description of the three types of scopes is provided below.\u00a0 This YouTube video<\/a> also provides a good overview for the first two scopes – the ProScope HR2 and the Scope-on-a-Rope L2.<\/p>\n Interested in trying out one of these scopes or learning more about the program? \u00a0Complete the online form and Dr. Kaup will be in touch via e-mail to share more details and\/or set-up a time to come visit your school and demo the scope for you.<\/p>\n To print\u00a0a flyer with details about the loaning program click here Furman Scope Flyer [PDF].<\/a><\/p>\n\n
\nUtilizing a USB connector – this scope connects to any desktop or laptop computer and can thus be used to display images on a linked projector or Promethean board. \u00a0The accompanying software program (provided by STR) enables still and video capture capabilities.\u00a0 Interchangeable lenses enable magnification of 30, 50, 100, 200 or 400 times.<\/li>\n
\nThis analog version enables direct connection to any TV or projector (only needs to plug into a yellow video connector).\u00a0 Without the need for a computer, this system provides the best resolution on your TV or projector.\u00a0 In addition, the lenses (available in 30,\u00a050, 100, 200 and 400x) are interchangeable with the ProScope HR2 (described above).<\/li>\n
\nProScope Mobile is the first Wi-Fi digital camera microscope available. The ProScope Mobile displays live images wirelessly to an iPhone, iPad\u200b, or iPod touch.\u00a0\u00a0It creates its own Wi-Fi network, allowing multiple devices within range to connect to it and display the live image on many screens simultaneously using the free app and Windows software. Images can be captured simultaneously to all devices using the capture button on the camera handset; the images are saved right on the iPad\/iPhone\/iPod touch for viewing or downloading. The ProScope Mobile is battery powered and uses the same lenses (30x\u00a0up to 400x) and accessories as the ProScope HR2 and the Scope On A Rope L2.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n