STEM Science Project: DIY iPhone Microscope

I’m trying to do more science experiments with my son. We made a homopolar motor, learned about electricity with PlayDoh and LED lights, built a gamer remote control, made a 3D hologram projector, created a protective device for a raw egg, learned about the science of Ramune Japanese soda, and wondered why ice cubes crack in drinks.

I’m always looking for fun and easy science experiments so this DIY Phone Microscope got my attention. The video below made it sound easy:

I ordered my supplies and thought it would be easy to do, but boy was I wrong. First of all, the supply list is deceptively challenging:

1) Inexpensive laser pointer

I bought this Silvercell Wireless USB PPT Presenter PowerPoint Remote Control Presentation Pointer on Amazon for $7.69. It was the least expensive one I could find.

The issue is taking off the lens. It does not pop off with a pencil like the one in the video.

Not only do you have to use pliers to pull off the tip but the lens is encased in bronze, with one end covered up. It’s quite a task to remove the lens.

After freeing the lens from the laser pointer, it has to be pounded with a hammer to remove the bronze cover so that you can see into the lens.

2) Poster Tack

I failed to procure poster tack but I used double-stick masking tape and that was fine.

3) Flashlight

For $9, I bought this pack of four small flashlights, figuring that it will come in handy for something else. These flashlights, while the right size, are not flat on the bottom. I had to tape it to get it to stand upright. One flashlight also takes 3 AAA batteries which are not included.

4) Hard clear plastic to make mock glass lab slides. I used the packaging for an office supply for that.

5) White piece of paper. I used half an index card.

6) Puddle water. We used water from a stream but it sat in my office for two days.

This was the setup: we taped down the flashlight with the light side up. We placed the half index card on top of the flashlight and then the clear plastic “slides”.  That black contraption is a tripod for my iPhone. We tried using that for the iPhone, but it was hard to get the lens in the right spot over the flashlight slide.

Finally, we had the pieces in place. It could be that the pond water organisms were dead but this is what we saw:

I tried again a few weeks later when the weather warmed up. This time, instead of a running brook, I got swampy water from the ditch by my public library.

I used a card with the letter “r” to make sure it worked. Again, there are no living organisms. I think I am seeing specks of dirt. It’s been cold here lately, so I have to try again when the weather is warm for an entire week.

I let the same jar of muddy water sit in my office for two days, and I FINALLY got some action!

Sandor Katz and the Tiny Wild by Jacqueline Briggs Martin and June Jo Lee, illustrated by Julie Wilson

Pair your DIY microscope with this book about microbes found in the kitchen and refrigerator. That’s right! Microbes are found in fermented foods such as kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickles. Learn about Sandor Katz who turns vegetables into deliciousness that is also good for your gut health. The recipe for his Kraut-Chi (that’s kimchi + sauerkraut) is included in the backmatter. [picture book biography, ages 6 and up]

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