Magnifying Microscopes for Schools

Magnifying Microscopes for Schools is a project of the Rotary Club of Freshwater Bay. The project is the result of a wish by WA Chief Scientist Lyn Beazley for every primary school in the state to have a set of magnifying microscopes.

The Rotary Club of Freshwater Bay, the Science Teachers’ Association of Western Australia (STAWA) and the Water Corporation, joined together to make Lyn’s wish come true.

“The Microscopes in Schools project was awarded a Significant Achievement Award from Rotary International in 2013, and has received a letter of support from Major General the Honourable Michael Jeffery.”

The magnifying microscope is a small hand-held unit that allows a child to easily move it around to view items indoors or out. An activity booklet has been produced by the Water Corporation, in conjunction with STAWA, so that teachers can integrate the use of the microscopes with their existing curriculum.

The Water Corporation provides copies of the magnifying microscopes activities booklet and a free incursion to demonstrate use. The activities focus on the use of microscopes, plant adaptations to water supply, plant structure and soil composition, and include teacher background notes. The microscopes are particularly useful in school gardens.

Since its humble beginnings in 2009, the project has expanded to include all Australian states and territories, as well as countries in Asia and the Pacific. More than 22,000 magnifying microscopes have been donated to more than 700 schools. In excess of 130 Rotary clubs along with corporations and individuals have sponsored the project.

The Microscopes in Schools project was awarded a Significant Achievement Award from Rotary International in 2013, and has received a letter of support from Major General the Honourable Michael Jeffery.