Abstract

Scanning electron microscope (SEM) is a type of microscope used for seeing the microscopic world at higher magnifications than is possible with a light microscope. The SEM uses high-energy finely focused beam of electrons to form very detailed 3-dimensional magnified images that allows scientists and engineers to study in depth the surface structure of materials and biological samples. We aim to introduce the educational community to the use of microscopes as tools to advance hypothesis-driven science teaching at one level and to include them in a general science curriculum to help capture the imagination of the younger students. The SEM is an expensive and complicated research and industrial instrument, thus limiting its availability in the classroom. With remote SEM (rSEM), the SEM is connected to the internet and is made more accessible to public school students. Special software interfaces the rSEM to remote users and permits real time control on the microscope and allows classroom teachers and students worldwide to conduct research or scientific inquiry of their choice all from a personal computer over an internet connection. We hope to introduce the resources to teachers inspiring them to implement rSEM as a science teaching tool.

Mentor

Richard Boyle

Lab site

NASA Ames Research Center (ARC)

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URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/star/28

 

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