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Using a Microscope

PROCEDURAL
Science›Organisms & Life Processes|Ages 11—12|ID: mt_lMLeNLDRO8

Use a light microscope correctly to prepare, focus, and examine biological specimens, including making accurate labelled drawings at an appropriate magnification

Mastery Evidence

  • Sets up a light microscope safely and correctly (course focus then fine focus)
  • Prepares a wet mount slide with a biological specimen (e.g. onion skin)
  • Calculates the magnification of an image (magnification = image size ÷ actual size)
  • Draws an accurate labelled diagram of observed cells with a scale

Assessment Prompt

“If [child] had to use a school microscope to study a biological specimen, could they set it up correctly, find what they're looking for, and produce a labelled scientific drawing of what they see?”

Curriculum Standards3 alignments

MS-LS1-1Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Middle Schoolcodes only
Standard code — full text not included in this dataset.
KS3.Sci.Bio.Cells.1The national curriculum in England
Cells as the fundamental unit

cells as the fundamental unit of living organisms, including how to observe, interpret and record cell structure using a light microscope

Science · KS3
KS3.Sci.WS.SA.4The national curriculum in England
Use appropriate techniques and apparatus safely

use appropriate techniques, apparatus, and materials during fieldwork and laboratory work, paying attention to health and safety

· KS3

Prerequisites1

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