BL Workshop
Make a Microscope
Click here for a PDF version of these instructions.
- Paper punch
- Thin piece of cardboard (a postcard or file card)
- Aluminum foil
- Needle
- Toothpick
- Petroleum jelly
- Glue
- Eyedropper
- Distilled water
- Scissors
- Flashlight or other light source
Step One: Punch a quarter-inch hole in the cardboard. Cut and glue a piece of foil on the card to cover the hole. Do not get any glue over the hole. Gently poke the needle through the foil. Make the pinhole round and smooth; the more round the hole, the better your microscope will work.
Step Two: With the tip of a toothpick, carefully pread a thin layer of petroleum jelly just around the hole on both sides of the foil. Make sure to keep the hole open, free of jelly. With an eyedropper, squeeze a drop of clean distilled water into the pinhole. The petroleum jelly should hold the water in the pinhole. You may have to tap the card gently to get the water
in the hole.
Step Three: Point the flashlight upward. Place the object you want to study over the light. Look at the object through the water drop.
Read 11 comments about “Make a Microscope”
If you enjoy disapproving looks from those around you, then this trick is for you!
November 3rd, 2007 at 12:43 pm
the scop was able to see cells
May 23rd, 2007 at 7:27 pm
Of course it does!!!!!!!!!!!
April 29th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Does it really work?
April 13th, 2007 at 11:32 am
By using it can we see a cell?
April 12th, 2007 at 8:03 pm
this will be cool it will probly be expensive for distilled water though
April 10th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
that’s so primitive, it’s cool
April 5th, 2007 at 4:10 pm
SOOOOOOOOOO COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL
April 3rd, 2007 at 6:20 am
this going to be cool
April 1st, 2007 at 5:50 pm
Cool scope!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 31st, 2007 at 6:47 pm
I like your hobbies you hav on this website!!!!!