For Year 6 Transition Day, introduce young learners to a fundamental tool in biological investigation: the microscope. In these sessions, students will learn how to use a microscope, identify its key components, and create their own cheek cell slides. These activities will provide an early introduction to microscopy for students taking the next step in their education this September.
An Introduction to Microscopes:
Ask children to identify and name the different parts of the microscope, such as the eyepiece, stage, objective lenses, mirror, and focus controls. Most microscopes are now lit with LED bulbs, ensuring that the children can see a bright disc through the eyepiece.
We recommend the
Motic FunScope Microscope for these activities, a value monocular microscope with simple optical glass objectives mounted on a revolving nosepiece.
Read our Microscope Basics guide on
Page 128/129 of the
SLS Select Education 2024/2025 catalogue
here
Objective:
This activity supports the preparation and observation of animal cell structures. Students will collect their own epithelial (skin) cells by swabbing their own cheeks and examining the resulting specimens under a microscope. This hands-on activity not only demonstrates cell structure but also teaches vital skills in handling laboratory equipment and conducting microscopic examinations.
Materials:
Safety Precautions:
Prepare a risk assessment suitable for your lesson.
Methylene blue is not hazardous, but does stain skin, clothes and work surfaces. Please handle with caution.
On completion of the experiment each child must split their own coverslip from the slide and place in the Milton solution.
Method:
▶ Get the pupils to put on safety glasses before preparing the slide
▶ Begin by setting up the microscope with the lowest power objective lens.
▶ Firmly wipe one side of a cotton bud on the inside of your cheek to collect cheek cells without causing any tissue damage.
▶ Gently roll the side of the cotton bud containing the cells onto the centre of a clean microscope slide.
▶ Add one drop of methylene blue stain directly onto the area where the cells are on the slide.
▶ Carefully place one side of the coverslip into the methylene blue stain.
▶ Slowly lower the other side of the coverslip onto the slide, ensuring no air bubbles are trapped underneath.
▶ Place the slide under the microscope to observe the cells using the x40 objective lens. To view the cells, turn the focus knob slowly until you can see a clear image through the eyepiece.
▶ Once you have a clear view, switch to a higher power objective lens for more detailed observation.
Conclusion:
Produce two scientific drawings of the cells.