Melbourne High

Microscope fun in Marine Science. Students completed a microscope lab during Marine Science class, which allowed them to observe small ocean organisms that cannot be seen with the naked eye. It helped connect the lesson to real examples they could see. Junior Joli Bartczack said the lab made learning more interesting. “It shows a different perspective on things than we’re used to by zooming in,” Bartczack said. She observed plankton, barnacle larvae, and a baby ocean worm during the activity.

Marine science teacher Gregory Stauffer, who has taught for 21 years, explained that the purpose of the microscope activity was to educate students on how to use them and learn about different types plankton. “We use it to view things that are too small for the naked eye,” Stauffer said. In his class he enjoys doing hands-on and interactive activities with the kids to make learning more interesting. When asked what he hopes students will take away from this lab, he said, “Remember how to do kohler illumination and know it’s complicated, and I hope they found the critters interesting.”

Microscopes in Marine Science: In Mr. Stauffers Marine Science class, junior Joli Bartczack looks at plankton under the microscope. This activity was an opportunity for students to see close up what they were learning about in class. It made learning more interesting, interactive, and fun. “It shows a different perspective on things than we’re used to by zooming in,” Bartczack said when asked why she enjoyed using the microscopes. Photo by Lily Hock.