Introducing foldscopes to young monks in Bhutan
Nov 13, 2025 • 5:26 PM UTC
Bhutan
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Workshops and Events
Akshatha Nayak
Between the mountains and the oceans, you're bound to find me!
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It's the gradual onset of Winter here in Bhutan, with a global event for peace called the Global Peace Prayer going on in the capital, it has engaged most of the Bhutanese adult monks.
I noticed there was not a single post or information on usage of Foldscope anywhere from Bhutan online. Perhaps, its had no online presence or this could possibly the first few Foldscopes in a Bhutanese school, specifically Bhutanese Buddhist school.
This Buddhist school is in Punakha, Bhutan.
The young monks aged between 9-12 years old, many hadn't heard of what a microscope is. Since the school follows a religious curriculum, they were unaware of what a microscope looks like.
The 1st thing I show usually is a fabric fiber from the clothing we wear to casually convey how anything can be a sample and everything can be science. The moment they saw the magnified fiber/thread pieces they were in absolute awe, calling it a "foreigner's magic" at first!
I noticed there was not a single post or information on usage of Foldscope anywhere from Bhutan online. Perhaps, its had no online presence or this could possibly the first few Foldscopes in a Bhutanese school, specifically Bhutanese Buddhist school.
This Buddhist school is in Punakha, Bhutan.
The young monks aged between 9-12 years old, many hadn't heard of what a microscope is. Since the school follows a religious curriculum, they were unaware of what a microscope looks like.
The 1st thing I show usually is a fabric fiber from the clothing we wear to casually convey how anything can be a sample and everything can be science. The moment they saw the magnified fiber/thread pieces they were in absolute awe, calling it a "foreigner's magic" at first!
Gradually we explored leaves, tiny live insects, hair, dust etc and they started grasping the science behind microscopy. They were surprised to see dust & pollens along with their cloth fibers. The time was limited but their learning was quite quick! They were now curious about looking at lice, skin hair, soil, and even what a nasal mucus actually contains!
They called in their teacher to take care of the foldscopes so that each one of them can use it judiciously when they need it, and the teacher was as excited as the little ones to have them!
While I explained the online resources, they spend more of their time in the offline world, but I do believe they will make the most of it!
This experience was one of a kind for both- the young monks as well as for me, and it will definitely remain special :)
They called in their teacher to take care of the foldscopes so that each one of them can use it judiciously when they need it, and the teacher was as excited as the little ones to have them!
While I explained the online resources, they spend more of their time in the offline world, but I do believe they will make the most of it!
This experience was one of a kind for both- the young monks as well as for me, and it will definitely remain special :)
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