I got in touch with the foldscope team last year, to develop some workshops within the program I was implementing for work. “Innovation with purpose”.
The program consists on implementing an innovative technology “plasma water sanitation system” to guarantee access to secure and potable water for vulnerable people.
Our vision is to connect advanced technology and science with poverty, social and environmental unrest.
Have to say that it was fun to assemble the foldscope from scratch. The first time I used the foldscope, was a complete failure. We could not determine if we were seeing bacteria or dust in the lens.
Even though I had some help (lab team), it was so hard to guess the size of the bacteria. (it would help if you could make examples of the sizes expected when you see some components, alive or dead).
After a few attempts, we were able to see some e.coli (conjunto) in the samples. Or at least we thought so. We even dyed the sample with fuchsin.
After that, we tried with different and bigger samples. I took a very small bug that infested my cactus, and was amazed to see it was some kind of beetle with dots.
A job partner took a sample from an abandoned swimming pool with algae and something else we could not determine.
Even though we had some difficulties with correctly making the samples and having the conditions to see correctly, we managed.
So, we decided to develop a pilot workshop with 10-11 year old kids in one of the schools we are currently working.
The workshop consisted in presenting virus and bacteria, teach them how to grow bacteria and after that try to see bacteria from prepared samples.
Dear @Javiavs,
What a wonderful window into your work. Congratulations; it’s incfedible what you are doing and it’s fantastic to hear how the kids reacted. We definitely need more women scientists and more people like you..
The link to sanitation and hygiene with science education is deep; and it’s wonderful to hear how the kids reacted.
I hope your microscopes arrive on time (customs is always unpredictable and little bit confusing).
Here are a few hints and posts that would help in exploring and imaging bacteria. They are very small and hence it requires some practice – but once you have the tricks – you will be imaging bacteria regularly. Your images posted look fantastic..
http://microcosmos.foldscope.com/?p=16549
https://microcosmos.foldscope.com/?p=29951
Cheers
Manu