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 Zoom
Technology
The heart of technology in MAIS ZOOM will be the DigiScope, a
beginner model LED field microscope (manufactured by Motic
Instruments) with a built-in CMOS digital camera connected to field
mobile laptops or classroom/lab-based PCs via USB cables. In short,
DigiScope is a digital camera hooked to a microscope that enables
images to be displayed on a computer screen. The DigiScope features
options of 10x to 50x or 10x to 100x manual zoom lenses that
provide on-screen magnification of 42x to 210x. The manipulating
software interface is on a teacher and student-friendly
CD-ROM. Still and video images of “tiny worlds” can be captured,
viewed in real time, automatically saved, printed, or viewed in
time-lapse sequences. |
Exhibiting both good magnification and resolution, the DigiScope is ideal for capturing images of Paramecia, flower pollen, insect eye parts, a mosquito’s proboscis, crystal growth, plant and animal cells, a flea’s leg, and much, much more. Further, the camera can be taken out of the microscope body to look at things that won’t fit on a slide—like human fingerprints, mosquito larvae, and germinating seeds. DigiScope becomes the technological tool for science discoveries, investigations, and experiments.
There are two DigiScope models. The DigiScope 150 features a 10x to 50x manual zoom lens that provides on-screen magnification of 42x to 210x. The lower magnification provides a larger field of view. The DigiScope 300 features a 20X to 100X manual zoom lens. In both cases the zoom is seamless, providing exceedingly crisp images and an exceptional 4 mm depth of field. Because of the camera's high frame rate (~10fps) focusing can be done in real-time.
Both DigiScope models come with two stages - a slide stage with molded-in stage clips for viewing regular microscope slides, and a reversible whole objects stage or” swimming pool" stage. The whole objects stage side is great for studying bugs, leaves, small rocks or other non-slide specimens. The swimming pool side features a small indent that is ideal for the study of pond water.
Incident illumination (top and bottom) is provided by bright LED bulbs powered by three “AAA” batteries. The light intensity control function allows one to choose the illumination level that works best for the object being viewed.
The DigiScope's camera plugs directly into either a PC or Mac via the included USB cable that works with desktops, laptops and even projection devices. To prevent loss, the cable is permanently attached to the camera. The camera can be removed enabling the microscope to be taken anywhere. Image size can be configured to best suit the computer screen upon which specimens are being viewed. Choices include: 160x120, 176x144, 320x240, 355x288 and 640x480.
The DigiScope is affordable, rugged, portable, and designed specifically for the grade level of MAIS students targeted in this project. Students engaged with DigiScope technology find new ways to “zoom in” on high-interest science experiences. Field-testing with students and teachers show enthusiasm and interest running very high and sustained with each new “gee whiz” discovery. There were choruses of expressions like “Awesome!,” “Cool!,” and “Hey, look at this!!!”
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