Exploring the Microscopic World at American University
Aug 03, 2026 • 7:06 PM UTC
United States
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aventurini
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On April 1 and 2, 2026, students at American University participated in two interactive Foldscope workshops designed to introduce them to accessible microscopy and the microscopic world around them.
The workshops brought together 20 students from across the university, including 16 undergraduate students and four graduate students enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs. Participants represented diverse academic backgrounds spanning the natural sciences, social sciences, environmental studies, and education, highlighting the broad appeal of microscopy across disciplines.
The workshops brought together 20 students from across the university, including 16 undergraduate students and four graduate students enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs. Participants represented diverse academic backgrounds spanning the natural sciences, social sciences, environmental studies, and education, highlighting the broad appeal of microscopy across disciplines.
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During the workshops, students learned how to assemble and use a Foldscope and explored the materials included in their kits. The activities focused on slide preparation and specimen observation using Foldscope slides. Students practiced positioning slides, locating specimens, adjusting the microscope, and obtaining clear images. They also learned how to prepare water samples for observation, attach a cellphone to the Foldscope to visualize and document specimens, and use different lighting conditions to improve the visibility of microscopic structures.
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By bringing together students from different majors and academic levels, the two sessions demonstrated the potential of Foldscope activities to make microscopy approachable to a broad audience. The workshops encouraged students to examine familiar materials from a new perspective and showed that exploring the microscopic world can begin with a compact and affordable tool.
The Foldscope workshops were organized at American University by Andressa M. Venturini, with support from the Department of Environmental Science and the Fast and Curious program.
The Foldscope workshops were organized at American University by Andressa M. Venturini, with support from the Department of Environmental Science and the Fast and Curious program.
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