Anna Budich

It was a blessing in disguise Dr. Christian Budich found an article about Foldscope while he was doing his usual literature research in his office. On that same day, he sent me the link to see if this is possible to do in Manila, Philippines. Back in Manila together with some friends, we created a volunteer organization called KIDS Club that aims to help create a safer and better community for the Filipino children. For a country where majority of its people strive to make both ends meet, most of the chilren do not have the opportunity to even touch a real microscope all their lives.
 


 
 After seeing how the Foldscope project helped the children in Africa and India, I immediately sent an email to Dr. Manu Prakash for possible collaboration. To our surprise, it did not take a week before he sent us a positive response. When we received the sample kits, we were like excited kids opening our Christmas presents.
 


 
 Doing the actual experiment with the children in Manila took us longer than what we targeted due to some challenges along the way. The target participants for this workshop are students who are non-readers. That is why we needed to make sure that the presentation and the instructions that we give must be easy to understand
 
 
 and in Tagalog.  Finally after several months of planning and coordinating, Dr. Christian and I flew to Manila to conduct the Foldscope workshop.
 

<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-15773" class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_15773" style="width: 600px">
 <img alt="Me and My Environment Poster" class="wp-image-15773 size-full gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="15773" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="Me and My Environment Poster" data-recalc-dims="1" height="800" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_15760/Me-and-My-Environment-Poster.jpg" width="600"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-15773">
 KIDS Club’s announcement poster
 </figcaption>
</figure>

 
 The Foldscope workshop was the first series of capacity building activities under the “Me and My Environment Program” of KIDS Club. This program aims to enhance the children’s awareness and appreciation of the environment particularly our nature through different disciplines like science and the arts. The workshop was held at Kasiglahan Village Elementary School in Rodrgiues, Rizal on April 30, 2016. It was participated in by 30 children (4-12 years old), some parents, and members of KIDS Club and Silid Aralan (our partner NGO).
 


 
 Dr. Christian is the scientist in our group hence, he was the one who gave a short background about the history and use of microscope. Despite the difficult terminologies and concepts presented, the children were so excited to listen because it is not everyday that they have a foreigner visitor at their school. Also, it was their first time to see pictures of microscopes.
 

<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-15774" class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_15774" style="width: 1024px">
 <img alt="Foldscope in Manila 2016" class="wp-image-15774 size-full gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="15774" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"5.6","credit":"","camera":"NIKON 1 J1","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1462017664","copyright":"","focal_length":"30","iso":"640","shutter_speed":"0.016666666666667","title":"","orientation":"1"}' data-image-title="DSC_3049" data-recalc-dims="1" height="669" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_15760/DSC_3049.jpg" width="1000"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-15774">
 A brief introduction about microscopy
 </figcaption>
</figure>

 After the presentation, the children grouped themselves with three members each team. Members of KIDS Club were then asked to support one group as they try to construct their respective Foldscopes. Christian gave a step-by-step instruction on how to make the Foldscope and from time to time went around to make sure the all of them did it correctly.

<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-15761" class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_15761" style="width: 1024px">
 <img alt="Foldscope in Manila 2016" class="wp-image-15761 size-full gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="15761" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"3.5","credit":"","camera":"NIKON 1 J1","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1462018900","copyright":"","focal_length":"10","iso":"800","shutter_speed":"0.04","title":"","orientation":"1"}' data-image-title="DSC_3061" data-recalc-dims="1" height="669" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_15760/DSC_3061.jpg" width="1000"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-15761">
 Children excited to start making their own Foldscopes
 </figcaption>
</figure>
<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-15762" class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_15762" style="width: 1024px">
 <img alt="Foldscope in Manila 2016" class="wp-image-15762 size-full gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="15762" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"4","credit":"","camera":"NIKON 1 J1","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1462019009","copyright":"","focal_length":"13.1","iso":"400","shutter_speed":"0.033333333333333","title":"","orientation":"1"}' data-image-title="DSC_3071" data-recalc-dims="1" height="669" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_15760/DSC_3071.jpg" width="1000"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-15762">
 Dr. Christian showing step-by-step instructions
 </figcaption>
</figure>
<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-15763" class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_15763" style="width: 1024px">
 <img alt="Foldscope in Manila 2016" class="wp-image-15763 size-full gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="15763" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"5.6","credit":"","camera":"NIKON 1 J1","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1462019640","copyright":"","focal_length":"27.6","iso":"800","shutter_speed":"0.016666666666667","title":"","orientation":"1"}' data-image-title="DSC_3095" data-recalc-dims="1" height="669" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_15760/DSC_3095.jpg" width="1000"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-15763">
 A little girl excited yet careful as she creates her own Foldscope
 </figcaption>
</figure>
<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-15764" class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_15764" style="width: 685px">
 <img alt="Foldscope in Manila 2016" class="wp-image-15764 size-full gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="15764" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"4.2","credit":"","camera":"NIKON 1 J1","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1462019884","copyright":"","focal_length":"15.1","iso":"800","shutter_speed":"0.125","title":"","orientation":"1"}' data-image-title="DSC_3113" data-recalc-dims="1" height="1024" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_15760/DSC_3113.jpg" width="685"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-15764">
 A mom helping her child make the Foldscope
 </figcaption>
</figure>

 
 Once they have finished making the Foldscopes, both the young and adults felt proud and excited to use it! For the experiment, we used the onion skin as a sample. Each participant had their turn to see the sample using the Foldscope. All throughout this exercise, the room was filled with awe and giggles of curious children. The adults were as excited as the children because it was also their first time to do such experiments.
 

<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-15765" class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_15765" style="width: 1024px">
 <img alt="Foldscope in Manila 2016" class="wp-image-15765 size-full gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="15765" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"3.5","credit":"","camera":"NIKON 1 J1","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1462022857","copyright":"","focal_length":"10","iso":"800","shutter_speed":"0.016666666666667","title":"","orientation":"1"}' data-image-title="DSC_3212" data-recalc-dims="1" height="669" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_15760/DSC_3212.jpg" width="1000"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-15765">
 Preparing their paper slides for the experiment
 </figcaption>
</figure>
<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-15768" class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_15768" style="width: 1024px">
 <img alt="Foldscope in Manila 2016" class="wp-image-15768 size-full gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="15768" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"3.5","credit":"","camera":"NIKON 1 J1","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1462024198","copyright":"","focal_length":"10","iso":"800","shutter_speed":"0.05","title":"","orientation":"1"}' data-image-title="DSC_3247" data-recalc-dims="1" height="669" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_15760/DSC_3247.jpg" width="1000"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-15768">
 Children and adults feeling amazed with the beauty of the onion skin through Foldscope
 </figcaption>
</figure>
<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-15767" class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_15767" style="width: 1024px">
 <img alt="Foldscope in Manila 2016" class="wp-image-15767 size-full gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="15767" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"5.6","credit":"","camera":"NIKON 1 J1","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1462024038","copyright":"","focal_length":"30","iso":"800","shutter_speed":"0.16666666666667","title":"","orientation":"1"}' data-image-title="DSC_3244" data-recalc-dims="1" height="669" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_15760/DSC_3244.jpg" width="1000"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-15767">
 Projected image of the onion skin through Foldscope
 </figcaption>
</figure>

 
 Afterwards, we then asked them to draw what they saw. It is very interesting to see that despite the same sample that they all have, they provided different interpretations of what they saw.
 

<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-15766" class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_15766" style="width: 1024px">
 <img alt="Foldscope in Manila 2016" class="wp-image-15766 size-full gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="15766" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"3.5","credit":"","camera":"NIKON 1 J1","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1462023861","copyright":"","focal_length":"10","iso":"800","shutter_speed":"0.016666666666667","title":"","orientation":"1"}' data-image-title="DSC_3237" data-recalc-dims="1" height="669" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_15760/DSC_3237.jpg" width="1000"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-15766">
 Drawing the images they saw using the art kit given by KIDS Club
 </figcaption>
</figure>
<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-15771" class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_15771" style="width: 1024px">
 <img alt="Foldscope drawing" class="wp-image-15771 size-full gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="15771" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="Foldscope drawing" data-recalc-dims="1" height="586" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_15760/Foldscope-drawing.jpg" width="1000"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-15771">
 Different interpretations of the onion skin drawn by the children
 </figcaption>
</figure>

 
 At the end of the workshop, the children got more excited when we informed them that we will leave the Foldscopes for them to use at school through their mentors from Silid Aralan, our partner NGO.
 


 
 Overall, the workshop was a success. The children were introduced to microscopes and had an opportunity to do an experiment using Foldscope. Here are some of the messages/comments from the participants about Foldscope and the workshop:
 

<blockquote>
 
 “Microscopy is a very difficult subject to study. The presentation made it easier for me to understand what microscopy is and the hands-on workshop made it very interesting to learn more about the topic.” – Monica
 
 
 “We were as excited as the children to try making the Foldscope and using it to see the onion skin sample. It was amazing how to see a different perspective of the things you somehow neglect every day.” – Evalyn
 
 
 
</blockquote>
<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-15769" class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_15769" style="width: 1024px">
 <img alt="Foldscope in Manila 2016" class="wp-image-15769 size-full gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="15769" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"3.8","credit":"","camera":"NIKON 1 J1","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1462024791","copyright":"","focal_length":"11.8","iso":"800","shutter_speed":"0.016666666666667","title":"","orientation":"1"}' data-image-title="DSC_3268" data-recalc-dims="1" height="669" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_15760/DSC_3268.jpg" width="1000"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-15769">
 Some of the Filipino children that participated together with Dr. Christian Budich showing their Foldscopes
 </figcaption>
</figure>
<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-15770" class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_15770" style="width: 1024px">
 <img alt="Foldscope in Manila 2016" class="wp-image-15770 size-full gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="15770" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"4","credit":"","camera":"NIKON 1 J1","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1462024952","copyright":"","focal_length":"13.1","iso":"800","shutter_speed":"0.016666666666667","title":"","orientation":"1"}' data-image-title="DSC_3274" data-recalc-dims="1" height="669" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_15760/DSC_3274.jpg" width="1000"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-15770">
 Workshop participants together with the members of KIDS Club and Silid Aralan
 </figcaption>
</figure>

 
 About the Author:
 
 Anna Budich is the founder of KIDS Club. It is a volunteer organization, composed of young professionals, that aims to help create safer and better communities for the children in the Philippines.

Me and My Environment through Foldscope

When my husband and I were designing the workshop concept for Manila, one question came to mind. Is it possible to integrate the Foldscope to other disciplines especially the arts? If yes, how can I do it with the our learners? How can I make them see the images of samples from the Foldscope in an artistic way? Would they be able to see and appreciate their beauty?


 During the first leg of
 <a href="https://microcosmos.foldscope.com/?p=15760" target="_blank">
 Me and My Environment through Foldscope
 </a>
 , the learners were intrigued with the image of an onion skin from the lens of the Foldscope.  We asked them to draw what they saw and  it is amazing how they came up with different interpretations of the same sample.


 Upon returning to Tokyo, I was happy with the output of the said workshop and at the same time my eagerness to use it as an artwork strengthened.  Fortunately, my husband played with some more samples after the workshop. One of which is a part of a Malaysian mum stem cut lengthwise.

<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-16470" class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_16470" style="width: 768px">
 <img alt="Foldscope in Ikebana_1" class="wp-image-16470 size-large gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="16470" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"2.4","credit":"","camera":"iPhone 4S","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1462025631","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.28","iso":"50","shutter_speed":"0.0018115942028986","title":"","orientation":"1"}' data-image-title="Foldscope in Ikebana_1" data-recalc-dims="1" height="1024" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_16464/Foldscope-in-Ikebana_1.jpg" width="768"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-16470">
 A Portion of a Malaysian Mum Stem from the Foldscope Lens
 </figcaption>
</figure>

 When I saw this image, it reminded me of the wilderness. The top portion resembles the sun shining brightly above the mountain cliff while the bottom is similar to the water of a raging river.  Using this interpretation as an inspiration, I tried to create an Ikebana arrangement.

<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-16471" class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_16471" style="width: 912px">
 <img alt="Foldscope in Ikebana" class="wp-image-16471 size-large gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="16471" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"3.5","credit":"","camera":"NIKON 1 J1","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1464178741","copyright":"","focal_length":"11","iso":"220","shutter_speed":"0.016666666666667","title":"","orientation":"1"}' data-image-title="Foldscope in Ikebana" data-recalc-dims="1" height="1024" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_16464/Foldscope-in-Ikebana.jpg" width="912"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-16471">
 Ikebana Arrangement Inspired By A Foldscope Image of a Malaysian Mum Stem
 </figcaption>
</figure>



 The white peony and gladiolus symbolize the sun while the small yellow solidaster flowers represents its rays. The big dark peony leaves on the other hand mimic the rock formation or mountain clip while the euonymus leaves are like the water of the river.


 Reflecting on the questions I mentioned earlier vis-a-vis the Ikebana arrangement I made, I believe it is doable to combine the learnings and discoveries using Foldscope to other disciplines especially the arts. While the learners get more curious of the scientific findings using the Foldscope, it is also possible for them to appreciate the different patterns, shapes, and colors of the Foldscope images. For the next workshops, I hope that we would be able to tickle the artistic side of the learners more.


 
 About the author: Anna Budich is the Founder and Chairperson of
 <a href="http://kidsclubphilippines.org/" target="_blank">
 KIDS Club Philippines
 </a>
 , a group of friends and colleagues that aim to create safe and improved communities for the children through volunteerism. She is also a licensed Ikebana teacher under the Sogetsu School of Ikebana in Tokyo, Japan.

Me and My Environment 2: Foldscope in Ikebana

<header class="entry-header title-font lens-single-entry-header">
 
 Following the success of the workshop entitled “Me and My Environment through Foldscope” held last April 2016, KIDS Club and Silid Aralan Inc. (SAI) has finally created the first Foldscope Club in the Philippines! Known as the
 
 Silid Aralan KIDS Foldscope Club
 
 , it consists of eight learners from SAI’s i
 <a href="http://silidaralan.org/index.php/ilead/" target="_blank">
 Lead Program
 </a>
 mostly Grade 5 and above students.  It aims to provide a venue for learners and science enthusiasts to gather and explore science through Foldscope.  It is hoped that through this club,
 
 the number of science professionals in the Philippines would increase in the future.
 
 
 <h3 class="entry-title" style="text-align: justify">
 The Foldscope Club Workshop
 </h3>
</header>
<div class="entry-content">
 
 To have a clear understanding of microscopy and Foldscope, a workshop was organized for the learners on 16 July 2016 at SAI Main Office, Rizal, Philippines.  During the workshop, the students learned about the brief history of microscopy, background of Foldscope as well as the history, composition, and types of cells. They also played a game called Twist and Shout wherein learners needed to form words such as lens, light, etc.
 
 <figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_456">
 <img alt="Silid Aralan KIDS Foldscope Club_16" class="wp-image-456 size-full gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="456" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="IMG_3652.JPG" height="360" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_17528/IMG_3652.jpg" width="640"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text">
 Learners Group Themselves for the Ice Breaker Activity
 </figcaption>
 </figure>
 <figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_458">
 <img alt="Silid Aralan KIDS Foldscope Club_29" class="wp-image-458 size-full gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="458" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="[]" data-image-title="IMG_4006-0.PNG" height="360" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_17528/IMG_4006-0.png" width="640"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text">
 Word Familiarization through Playing Twist and Shout
 </figcaption>
 </figure>
 <figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_459">
 <img alt="Silid Aralan KIDS Foldscope Club_30" class="wp-image-459 size-full gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="459" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="[]" data-image-title="IMG_4006-0.PNG" height="360" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_17528/IMG_4006-01.png" width="640"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text">
 Mr. Aries Borgonio, SAI Project Leader for Baguio, Presents the History of Microscopes
 </figcaption>
 </figure>
 <figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_453">
 <img alt="Silid Aralan KIDS Foldscope Club_2" class="wp-image-453 size-full" height="360" src="http://i1.wp.com/kidsclubphilippines.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Silid-Aralan-KIDS-Foldscope-Club_2-e1468925897937.jpg?resize=640%2C360" width="640"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text">
 Assembling the Foldscopes
 </figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 After that, they tried to assemble the Foldscope units with the help of the SAI mentors. Ms. Remie Segui, KVES Coordinator, showed the step-by-step instructions on how to assemble the unit. For the newbies, it was an enjoyable experience. Same goes for some who already experienced it during the ”
 <a href="http://kidsclubphilippines.org/kids-club-first-year-anniversary/" target="_blank">
 Me and My Environment workshop
 </a>
 ” last April.
 
 <h3>
 
 The Tomato Skin Experiment
 
 </h3>
 
 Once finished assembling, they started making their samples using tomato skin. Next, they examined the tomato skin using Foldscopes. They were amazed by the image of the tomato cell observing it through the lens. Mr. Johnson Donato, a Biology Student and LEAP Scholar, assisted the learners during the experiment. He also explained the cells that they saw from the lenses.
 
 <figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_452">
 <img alt="Silid Aralan KIDS Foldscope Club_1" class="wp-image-452 size-full" height="360" src="http://i0.wp.com/kidsclubphilippines.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Silid-Aralan-KIDS-Foldscope-Club_1-e1468925993797.jpg?resize=640%2C360" width="640"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text">
 Brief Introduction of the Experiment Topic and Its Objectives
 </figcaption>
 </figure>
 <figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_454">
 <img alt="Silid Aralan KIDS Foldscope Club_3" class="wp-image-454 size-full gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="454" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="IMG_4006.PNG" height="360" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_17528/IMG_4006.png" width="640"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text">
 Creating Samples Using Tomato Skin
 </figcaption>
 </figure>
 <figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_455">
 <img alt="Silid Aralan KIDS Foldscope Club_12" class="wp-image-455 size-full gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="455" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="IMG_3659.JPG" height="360" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_17528/IMG_3659.jpg" width="640"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text">
 Observing the Tomato Tissue Using Foldscope
 </figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 Finally, the learners drew the image they saw . Same with the previous workshop, each learner had a unique interpretation of the same sample.
 
 <figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_451">
 <img alt="Foldscope Club Philippines" class="aligncenter wp-image-451 size-full" height="319" src="http://i2.wp.com/kidsclubphilippines.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Experiment-No-1-Drawings.jpg?resize=640%2C319" width="640"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text">
 Images of the Tomato Skin Drawn by the Learners
 </figcaption>
 </figure>
 <h3>
 
 The Creation of the Club
 
 </h3>
 
 After the workshop, Mr. Angelo Roxas, SAI Project Leader for Rizal and Foldscope Club Focal Person, presented the purpose and objectives of the club.  After confirming their membership to the club, the learners identified their leader, assistant leader, and rapporteurs.  They will help the mentors identify and prepare experiment topics and assist members during experiments. Furthermore, they will assist the mentors and learners during documentation.
 
 <figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_457">
 <img alt="Silid Aralan KIDS Foldscope Club_28" class="wp-image-457 size-full gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="457" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="IMG_3656.JPG" height="360" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_17528/IMG_3656.jpg" width="640"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text">
 The Members of Silid Aralan KIDS Foldscope Club
 </figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 The club will serve as a champion and benchmark for other Foldscope clubs that KIDS Club and Silid Aralan will establish in the near future throughout the Philippines.
 
</div>

Silid Aralan KIDS Foldscope Club: First Foldscope Club in the Philippines

Since our establishment last July 2016, members of the SAI KIDS Foldscope Club in the Philippines have been actively conducting a series of experiments using their Foldscopes. Below are some briefs of the experiments we have done so far:

<h2>
 
 August: Learning and Comparing Everyday Commodities
 
</h2>

 One of the main goals of the club is for the learners to have a different perspective and appreciation of the usual things they see every day.  Using the samples from earlier experiments, they observed and compared the skins of an onion and tomato. They were fascinated by the difference of the samples in terms of shape and color of the cell.

<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-19229" class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_19229" style="width: 1024px">
 <img alt="foldscope-philippines-6" class="wp-image-19229 size-full gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="19229" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="foldscope-philippines-6" data-recalc-dims="1" height="563" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_19223/Foldscope-Philippines-6.jpg" width="1000"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-19229">
 Playing Spot the Difference Before the Experiment
 </figcaption>
</figure>
<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-19230" class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_19230" style="width: 1024px">
 <img alt="foldscope-philippines-10" class="wp-image-19230 size-full gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="19230" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="foldscope-philippines-10" data-recalc-dims="1" height="563" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_19223/Foldscope-Philippines-10.jpg" width="1000"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-19230">
 Drawing the Images of the Tomato and Onion Cells
 </figcaption>
</figure>
<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-19232" class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_19232" style="width: 1024px">
 <img alt="onion-and-tomato" class="wp-image-19232 size-full gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="19232" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="onion-and-tomato" data-recalc-dims="1" height="563" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_19223/Onion-and-Tomato.jpg" width="1000"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-19232">
 Comparing Tomato and Onion Skin Cells
 </figcaption>
</figure>

 After that, they tried to compare everyday crystals: salt and sugar.  As an introduction to the topic, the learners first had a game. With their eyes closed, they needed to identify whether the crystals are salt or sugar.  During the discussion the learners mentioned that they found out that although salt and sugar look very identical, their shapes are very different from the lens.

<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-19231" class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_19231" style="width: 576px">
 <img alt="foldscope-philippines-14" class="wp-image-19231 size-full gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="19231" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="foldscope-philippines-14" data-recalc-dims="1" height="1024" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_19223/Foldscope-Philippines-14.jpg" width="576"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-19231">
 Guessing Game: Salt or Sugar?
 </figcaption>
</figure>
<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-19234" class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_19234" style="width: 1024px">
 <img alt="salt-and-sugar" class="wp-image-19234 size-full gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="19234" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="salt-and-sugar" data-recalc-dims="1" height="563" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_19223/Salt-and-Sugar.jpg" width="1000"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-19234">
 Images of Salt and Sugar Drawn by the Kids
 </figcaption>
</figure>


<h2>
 
 September: The Concept of Division of Labor
 
</h2>



 As the children become more familiar and at ease in using the Foldscope, we now try to slowly teach some concepts which they can also incorporate in their daily lives.  For this month, we reiterated the concept and value of “Division of Labor” which could also help them work efficiently as a team.  For the first experiment, the learners observed the different parts of a Hibiscus plant – stem, leaf, and petal. Through the experiment, they realized that each part has its own role in order for the whole system to work properly.  Aside from the division of labor, they also learned about photosynthesis and pollination.  However, these topics were only discussed briefly due to limited time.

<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-19227" class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_19227" style="width: 1024px">
 <img alt="foldscope-club-4-1" class="wp-image-19227 size-full gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="19227" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="foldscope-club-4-1" data-recalc-dims="1" height="563" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_19223/Foldscope-Club-4-1.jpg" width="1000"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-19227">
 Preparing the Samples for the Plant Experiments
 </figcaption>
</figure>
<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-19228" class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_19228" style="width: 960px">
 <img alt="foldscope-club-4-4" class="wp-image-19228 size-full gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="19228" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="foldscope-club-4-4" data-recalc-dims="1" height="720" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_19223/Foldscope-Club-4-4.jpg" width="960"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-19228">
 Discussing Photosynthesis and Pollination
 </figcaption>
</figure>
<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-19233" class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_19233" style="width: 1024px">
 <img alt="sai-kids-foldscope-club-experiment-no-4" class="wp-image-19233 size-full gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="19233" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="sai-kids-foldscope-club-experiment-no-4" data-recalc-dims="1" height="586" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_19223/SAi-KIDS-Foldscope-Club-Experiment-No-4.jpg" width="1000"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-19233">
 Leaf, Petal, and Stem Cell Images of A Hibiscus Plant
 </figcaption>
</figure>

 To further explain the concept of Division of Labor, the next experiment used ants as another example. During this session, the children enjoyed observing the different parts of an ant using the Foldscope. During the discussion, the children were amazed by how these insects communicate with each other using
 
 <a alt="Pheromone" class="gcloudimg" href="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_19223/Pheromone" target="_blank">
 pheromones
 </a>
 ( a chemical produced by social insects), sound, and touch.
 
 They also learned the tasks of each ant in the colony according to their age and roles. As they discussed the images they saw under the Foldscope lens, the group also discussed about the different parts of the ant and their functions. They were surprised to know that the ants don’t have lungs like humans and most animals.

<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-19225" class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_19225" style="width: 576px">
 <img alt="ant-experiment-6" class="wp-image-19225 size-full gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="19225" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="ant-experiment-6" data-recalc-dims="1" height="768" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_19223/ant-experiment-6.jpg" width="576"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-19225">
 Playing the Ant Puzzle
 </figcaption>
</figure>
<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-19226" class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_19226" style="width: 1204px">
 <img alt="ants-foldscope" class="wp-image-19226 size-full gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="19226" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="ants-foldscope" data-recalc-dims="1" height="498" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_19223/Ants-foldscope.jpg" width="1000"/>
 <figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-19226">
 The Different Parts of the Ants Drawn by the Learners
 </figcaption>
</figure>

 To know more about SAI KIDS Foldscope Club and our activities, please visit
 <a href="http://kidsclubphilippines.org/sai-kids-foldscope-club/sai-kids-foldscope-club-montalban/" target="_blank">
 KIDS Club website
 </a>
 .

Anna Budich

Earth

Posts

Me and My Environment through Foldscope

Me and My Environment 2: Foldscope in Ikebana

Silid Aralan KIDS Foldscope Club: First Foldscope Club in the Philippines

Updates on SAI KIDS Foldscope Club Activities

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Foldscope Lens Magnification