Student Microscopes For Children

Microscopes for children are generally low power, rather sturdy optical microscopes. These microscopes are generally bought by the schools for their science laboratories. These microscopes are usually used in primary and secondary schools. For most people, ones who are not involved in higher study of science, the only microscope they have ever used was in the school. So when they try to picture a microscope, the image of their school microscope pops up in their minds.

Even though the microscopes for children are usually of a poor quality, it still has made history in the field of microscopy. After the World War II, a young man by the name of Herbert J. Mossien understood the marketing potential in producing a microscope that could be sold to schools in large quantities. Till that time, the role of the microscope was confined to being a precision instrument. These used to quite expensive. Bausch and Lomb, the company that Herbert worked for smelt the commercial potential of Herbert’s assessment. As per their expectations, it became a huge commercial success. The idea appealed to the schools of that time and they made bulk purchases. Sputnik had just been launched, there was a great emphasis on the study of science and it was a timely move.

 

A typical school microscope of that time was a low power, double lens device. It had an eyepiece that needed to be adjusted with the help of two knobs. One of these knobs was for rough adjustment while the other managed finer focus adjustments. There was a rotating platter on which the primary lens was mounted. With the help of this platter, three differently powered lenses could be rotated into the line of view.

 

Since this microscope was quite reasonably priced, the optical quality of its lenses was generally very poor. So even though there were three lenses to choose from, the highest powered lens, that was also the longest in size, was often of no use. This high powered lens often managed to crush the slide beneath it, as it was so long.

 

There used to be an adjustable mirror right beneath the slide. This mirror later got replaced by a battery powered light bulb. From the look of it, the microscope for children looked like any other two lens optical microscope set. Its distinguishing factor was its low cost and durability.

 

When you decide to buy this microscope, you must be aware of a few important things. It is better to be an informed and knowledgeable customer. Today there are two types of microscopes available in the market- high power and low power. If you want to examine very small things such as life in pond water, an insect’s legs, bacteria, blood cells etc, then you would require a high power microscope. If you want to examine slightly larger things such as a bee, a fly, coins, stamps, sand grains, or fabric weaves etc, then you can make do with a low power microscope. You must know why you want to buy a microscope, before you buy one.

 

To be on the safe side, it is always a good idea to go in for a high power microscope as it can be used for all purposes. For example, you can look at an ant’s body with the naked eye as well, but seeing it through a high power microscope is an altogether different experience. Be absolutely sure before you go ahead and buy microscopes for children.