Microscópios para educação

Stereomicroscopes and upright microscopes are the most popular microscope designs for the classroom.

Traditional microscope slide-mounted specimens are usually observed using an upright microscope (though a stereo microscope may also be usable for this purpose). This includes observation of H&E-stained human cell and tissue histopathology slides. Upright microscopes are generally more conducive to very high magnification and high-resolution imaging, which requires the objective lens to be placed very close to the sample.

Stereomicroscopes are useful for observing large specimens with a pseudo-3D stereoscopic view. This can include various model organisms during dissection, large geological samples such as rocks and fossils, and so much more. Working distances are routinely in the tens of mm, allowing for straightforward sample access and manipulation.

When crafting a microscope for the classroom, Nikon’s optical engineers and designers face a unique challenge. How do you design for both exacting optical quality and an instrument that can withstand heavy use (and potentially abuse) by novices?

One of the most important things we do is to create a lightweight and compact instrument body with obvious grip locations to facilitate regular handling and minimize the likelihood of drops and other damaging events. Both the ECLIPSE Si and ECLIPSE Ei upright microscopes also feature an integrated cord wrap to facilitate handling and storage.

Both the Si and Ei feature upper stage limits that are adjustable using a vertical stop. This feature helps avoid the accidental ramming of objective lenses into slides.

Adding the right camera to your educational microscope unlocks a world of possibilities for setting up your virtual classroom.

The Digital Sight 1000 requires only a monitor and a mouse for image observation and capture, and even basic analysis functions such as distance measurements. This allows for straightforward combination with web-conferencing services for real-time remote image sharing.

Remote image sharing can also be performed using a 3^rd party WiFi-enabled camera configured on one of Nikon’s educational microscopes. Nearby users can directly connect to the camera via WiFi, allowing students to see images on instructor microscopes or instructors to monitor the work of students. This approach provides an option for social distancing within the classroom that doesn’t rely upon an internet connection.