Applications of microscopy in science education: gifted youth, public school, and the next-generation science standards (NGSS)

ABSTRACT

Microscopy is not specifically mentioned in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and consequently secondary education limits its use to learning parts, procedures, and observing fixed specimen slides. However, when alternative approaches (See Section IV in this paper) are encouraged, microscopy provides opportunities for hands-on learning, engagement, use of models, and gaining a sense of size, scale, and hierarchical organisation. This article reviews living organism- and ecosystem-based microscopy originally designed for gifted and talented education, and how it could support the NGSS Life Science Framework. The paper begins with a review of curriculum, then discusses (1) five ongoing microscope applications relevant to the NGSS, including mini-ponds modelling ecosystem-organism functions; (2) data from pre- and post-testing as a measure of comprehensive learning; and, (3) a culminating communication project/exhibit on pond life, environmental conditions, and pollution effects.

KEYWORDS:

• Gifted and talented
• biology education
• protists
• pollution
• secondary education
• NGSS
• Microscopy

Acknowledgments

The author wishes to express his appreciation to many individuals at John Hopkins CTY, who have carefully monitored and evaluated the annual changes made in the SCOP course, allowing it to reach its present format. Second, numerous technical specialists at Carolina Biological Supplies have provided invaluable help and insight on many of the products used, which have made the course and organisms what it is today.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.