On 1st December the Year 7’s visited Kuwait University’s Nanoscopy Department to enhance their recent science topic. Students experienced the powerful magnification capability into nanometer (nm) and atomic scales of the different types of microscopes on campus to view and analyse various specimens, including; kidney stones, cockroach wings, red blood cells, rat’s liver, leaf, root and stem tissue and the various methods of specimen preparation, using solvents for drying samples and surface coating in gold leaf. They learnt how different microscopes are used for studying different parts of cells. SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) and LSM (Laser Scanning Microscope) to study the surface topography of samples, VPFESEM (Variable Pressure Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope) to see the 3D surface of materials, STEM (Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope) to see inside cells, AFM (Atomic Force Microscope) having the highest resolution capable to seeing right down to atomic scale for analysis of atomic composition of materials. Students were able to put into practice their knowledge of organelle and cell identification by answering some of the questions posed to them by the university staff. Students enjoyed their visit and came away all having learnt some new facts about what they had experienced as well as reinforcing what we have learnt in class.
Mrs Mahmoud
(Head of Science)
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