My father and I went to Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh (India) to hold a foldscope workshop for rural kids at the Agastya International Foundation (AIF) on the 11th of August. We went there with the wildlife expert Dr. R Bhanumathi. We had 36 people in total, 21 students and 15 teachers. We split the group into two: 18 with my dad and 18 with me. First they assembled the foldscope.

After assembling the foldscope we looked at a variety of premade slides such as onion skin and dog intestine cross-section. They were so amazed when they looked at these sample for the first time.

The particpants just didnt want to stop; some even didnt break for lunch. The participants then made their own slides and looked at a variety of samples like petals, pollen, dirt, leaves, rotifers, cheek cells, and ants.

We took an hour to look at our own samples under the slides. Everyone wanted to see what the other had found and share the wonders they had seen under the foldscope.

Sadly the day came to an end and every one had to go home, but everyone had learned something new and amazing that day.

I find it amazing how every kid can see amazing things under the foldscope and how the foldscope can easily reach so many different people across the world. I had an amazing experience.