Technology Advances Hitting Science Classrooms

PRLog (Press Release) - Nov 03, 2008 -
With audio, video and computer technology peaking, educators are catching on and tapping into the technology of hand-held video microscopes for classrooms, which prove to be simpler, more interactive and economical tools than traditional microscopes.

The Scope-On-A-Rope™ (SOAR), pioneered for use in education by Louisiana State University, is the new, high-tech yet simple to use version of that old school microscope. The new SOAR VL-7 model is a hand-held, touch & view camera with output to a computer, projector, TV or LCD display that provides educators with the perfect combination of tried and true learning concepts and new technology teaching methods. The SOAR consists of a small, self-lighted video camera with interchangeable magnifying lenses. Each lens has a “contact tip” which operates simply by touching the tip to the sample; a teacher or student automatically sees an in-focus image on a TV or computer.  

Instant discoveries are made with the SOAR by holding it and touching it to any sample: the visibly active sweat glands in fingerprints, sophisticated observations of micro-ecosystems in drops of pond water and flower centers, tiny fossils in rocks and sand, form and function in natural and man-made objects of all kinds. The live images are instantly shared with the whole class.

Known for its long lasting durability and high resolution images, the SOAR is the
best and most versatile hand-held classroom camera/microscope on the market. It’s a digital camera, a video camera, a document camera, a presentation camera and it can serve as both a dissecting and compound light microscope. Not only can it do much more than a traditional microscope can do, it can also take the place of several pieces of equipment.

The newest Education Kit from School Technology Resources (STR) is used by the Scope-On-A-Rope™ program at Louisiana State University, which has been conducting technology workshops for teachers since 1992.  It includes a new XYZ Stage/Stand for easy, fine focusing and positioning of prepared slides and aquatic samples.  The Education Kit also includes a Teacher Resource CD with over 100 correlated lesson plans for K-12 science instruction.