MtA_BIOL2201_2026: First time using a foldscope
Apr 03, 2026 • 7:15 PM UTC
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K Glaes
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I recently acquired this foldscope for a school assignment, and I had a great time finding samples from around the house to examine.
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The first sample I prepared was a cut of some off-white cotton fabric that I had left over from my most recent sewing project. As a relatively experience seamstress I've always been vaguely aware of how fabric is composed, many types being a weave of very small fibers that make up a sort of checkerboard pattern. Seeing this up close really makes me appreciate how much work goes into making the fabric that I use so often, and all of the tedious work of hemming seams to prevent fraying.
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The next sample was a trimming from a house plant that was sitting around the house. Studying biology, I'm aware of the many structures that compose plant tissue, which can be seen in this image. I saw what appeared to be the cell walls that help the leaf maintain structure, and the vivid green color that comes from chlorophyll, the pigment that acts as a site for photosynthesis.
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The third sample I prepared was a bit of apple skin that I shaved off with my multitool. I noticed similar structures to the leaf sample, and as those and this apple are both parts of a plant, this makes sense. The red color that makes up the apple skin was also quite striking here.
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The final sample I examined was a strand of my hair. Having a lot of very curly hair, I often notice that when I'm brushing it the strands get everywhere, which certainly makes more sense now that I saw just how thin it is. When comparing to the sample of fabric I first started with, the next closest thing to my hair, this miniscule size is very clear. Although this sample was held taught to keep it in focus, so I couldn't see my hair texture, I did manage to see the pigment that makes my hair the color that it is, light brown.
Overall, using this foldscope was not only a very fun time, it also allowed me to see common things at a much closer perspective, allowing me to better appreciate the seemingly common parts of our life in a whole new light. I would highly recommend getting a foldscope for yourself in order to indulge your latent curiosity and learn more about the world in an accessible way.
Overall, using this foldscope was not only a very fun time, it also allowed me to see common things at a much closer perspective, allowing me to better appreciate the seemingly common parts of our life in a whole new light. I would highly recommend getting a foldscope for yourself in order to indulge your latent curiosity and learn more about the world in an accessible way.
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