This session aims to support technicians and teachers (ECTs, trainees and those with limited experience in using microscopes) in slide preparation, allowing them to create their own slides to support their teaching. This will enable students to access a wider range of topics through microscopy, but also will build teacher and technician confidence in teaching how to prepare microscope slides.

Through this session and associated resources:

• You will explore two of the most fundamental components of slide preparation
• You will find out about specimens that demonstrate these components and provide the opportunity to carry out investigations
• Your students will gain a better understanding of the importance of thin specimens and staining, supporting them to produce better preparations in future microscopy lessons 

This webinar is for anyone wanting to become confident in teaching microscopy to secondary students of any age. You will explore the importance of obtaining a thin specimen and the value of achieving contrast through staining, supporting your students to develop their microscopy skills.  

We will look at red pepper (Capsicum annuum), banana (Solanum tuberosum) smears, pear (Pyrus spp.) scrapes and apple (Malus sp.) pulp as examples to use for investigations. These easy to prepare specimens provide the opportunity for students to develop their skills and understanding about slide preparation while answering questions such as ‘What makes the skin of a red bell pepper red?’, ‘What changes occur in the cells of a banana as it ripens?’ and ‘Why do pears have a coarse texture?’  With a secure appreciation of slide preparation, students will be able to produce better preparations for other investigations, including stem sections and root tip squashes. Crucially, this will then allow them to focus more on the biology that they are exploring rather than the methods of slide preparation.

The other sessions in this series are:

Building confidence in Microscopy

4th June 4.30 - 5.45 pm

This webinar is for anyone wanting to become confident in teaching microscopy to secondary students of any age. We will explore some critical concepts in microscopy and suggest some specimens to use. These will help you teach microscopy lessons that help students become confident and enthusiastic users of microscopes and skilled interpreters of what they see. The specimens suggested are readily available and require minimal preparation giving students much more time to practise using a microscope.

Taking things further, calibrating and measuring: How to develop these skills for KS4 and 5 students

25th June 4.30 - 5.45 pm

For those preparing students to use microscopes to a higher level, this session will support teachers in the practical and technical aspects students will need to access. Relevant for ECTs, trainees and those teaching out of specialism, this will also offer breadth of ideas for those teaching post 16 biology.

Cost:

ASE Member: 1 Webinar £20, 3 Webinars £45

Non- members: 1 Webinar £40, 3 Webinars £80

Please note, both can be booked to receive the discount, even if different people are attending. To access the membership discount, all attending must be ASE members.