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  • Summersville science teacher Amy Jenkins demonstrates the use of the school’s new digital microscope which works in conjunction with a classroom SmartBoard. Jenkins expects to use the equipment next week for her classes. KANDACE MCCOY/REGISTER-NEWS

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September 9, 2008

New technology helping Summersville science

By KANDACE MCCOY

kandace.mccoy@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — With a little help from technology, science will become a more interactive subject at Summersville Grade School — and maybe just a little bit more fun for students.

Since its recent purchase of a digital microscope, SmartBoard, projector and computer, the school will be able to provide students with hands-on and interactive study during science class.

Superintendent Steve Danner said when the school board discussed upgrading the science lab, he and science teacher Amy Jenkins began to put their heads together. “Last year we bought six new scopes and more lab equipment over and above normal supplies,” he said. “This year [Jenkins] and I were thinking about the digital scope and we were able to purchase it and the SmartBoard through the technology budget.”

The digital microscope — which includes a digital camera — can magnify up to 1,000 times, Danner explained. Students will be able to easily see bacteria or other cells under the scope as it is projected onto the SmartBoard screen.

As the object under the microscope is displayed to the class as a whole, Jenkins can make notes on the screen with SmartBoard pens, identify parts of the cell and even measure the circumference or diameter of a cell.

“Kids have a better visual,” Jenkins said of the technology. “It’s going to be fun and interactive.”

Danner said being able to save the pictures of the slides with notes will also be beneficial to students who may be absent during science lab. “We can run it to the printer and print out our notes on the screen with the slide picture and send it home to the student,” he remarked.

“This [microscope] will engage students. This is science — they’re getting engaged and looking forward to it because it’s something new and interesting. Once students see it’s something cool, neat or fun, then they’re going to be more accepting,” Danner said.

Students will also gain a broader range of knowledge of science, Danner continued, as the SmartBoard is also connected to the school’s server, allowing Jenkins to utilize the Internet into her classroom lesson.

Jenkins said the microscope also provides more detail of an object on the slide for students to learn. “Instead of having kids share a scope — three to a scope — everyone can look up here at what I’m looking at. When I was a student, I had to be a hands-on or visual [student]. Now they actually get to see it and take what they learned in the classroom and visualize it.”

Cost of the new equipment was about $4,000, Danner said. Jenkins hopes to begin utilizing the new technology next week.

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