Zoom into the Microworld

By Deirdre Molloy

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Users can discover the fundamentals of optics and microscopy with MyScope.

Discover MyScope™ Outreach, a free e-learning resource for peopled aged 8 years and upwards, created by the Australian Microscopy and Microanalysis Research Facility. This interactive, virtual microscopy experience includes hands-on activities and provides an array of samples to explore, from everyday bugs and objects to forensic evidence.

The essentials of optics and microscopy are easy with MyScope Outreach:

  • visualise magnification levels
  • learn how to use a scanning electron microscope (SEM)
  • capture an image in the virtual SEM to save, print or share

Developed in consultation with science educators in Australia and beyond, MyScope Outreach went live in April 2016 at the USA Science & Engineering Festival in Washington DC that attracted around 300,000 visitors. There was great excitement as kids explored the micro and nanometer world. Home schoolers and science teachers sat down to learn about the resource and plan how they could use it in class. Parents and grandparents joined in to share the fun of exploration.

This new e-learning platform leverages technology originally developed for professional research. Launched in 2011, MyScope online training for advanced research is now used by more than 100,000 students, scientists and engineers annually worldwide. The new STEM resource was developed with industry support.

“MyScope Outreach brings the excitement and power of microscopy to young people around the world.” says Prof. Julie Cairney, CEO of the Australian Microscopy and Microanalysis Research Facility.

Deirdre Molloy is the Multimedia Communications Officer at the Australian Microscopy and Microanalysis Research Facility. Find out more about the innovative STEM resource that brings the thrill of technology and discovery to Australia’s future scientists at myscopeoutreach.org.