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STAO Microscale Science Project

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-From January 1997 issue of ‘Crucible’ Volume 28.3.

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Introduction
In science, hands-on activities are always desirable, particularly when these are real time, actual experimentation, not just virtual simulations. This conflicts with our current reality: budget cuts; safety concerns in overcrowded classes; other demands on teacher time; the temptation of using CD-ROMs to replace hands-on experiments; and the lack of adequate facilities.

What is Microscale Science?
Again these odds, there is an alternative way of doing science experiments by the way of microscale science. This offers unparalleled speed with respect to set-up labs and clean-up, an opportunity for students to do multiple trials, and the possibility of including pre-lab and post-lab discussions, all in the same period. In essence, this is during science with simple, small plastic wares and small amounts of materials. Test tubes and beakers are replaced with Reaction Plates, or Microplates. These are flat clear polystyrene dishes with 0.4 mL or 3.0 mL capacity wells, very easy to clean, and have two axes of letters and numbers to mark the contents. Solutions are stored in 50 mL Culture Bottle/Flasks. Both the Microplate and culture flasks are stackable, making it possible to store whole class sets of equipment in a single 11 L tote box. Graduated cylinders, dispensing beakers, and eye droppers are replaced by a variety of polyethylene bulb pipettes with capacities ranging from 1.0 to 8.0 mL. These micropipettes deliver 23 to 48 drops per mL. They can also be labeled for future use Q-Tips, plastic cocktail toothpicks and McDonald’s plastic coffee stirrers take the place of test tube/beaker brushes, glass rods and spatulas. A single electronic centigram balance allows an entire class to complete massing in a few minutes.

Advantages of Microscale Science
Microscale Science reduces the scale of an activity by at least a factor of ten and sometimes more. For example, less than 1 mL of vinegar and 10 mL of a weak base are sufficient to get several sets of data to find the amount of acetic in vinegar. Microscaling means:

  • less time in preparing and performing experiments
  • more time for science investigations
  • simple inexpensive equipment
  • smaller quantities of materials used
  • conservation of resources
  • fewer safety hazards
  • less waste and pollution
  • better control of disposal problems
  • saving in storage space

STAO’s Microscale Science Project
Indeed, Microscale Science is a viable hands-on alternative to the more expensive traditional experiments or the virtual experience of computer simulations. The need for its promotion and development is urgent and fits into the mandate of STAO to promote excellence and leadership. Accordingly early this spring, a STAO Microscale Science Advisory Committee was established involving executives, representatives from Curriculum, Elementary, Safety Committees and experienced STAO members. A federal grant was applied for and secured from the Human Resources Development, Canada, under the Summer Career Placements Program. Malcolm Cunningham, a graduate of education and science, and master of education candidate in Education at Queen’s University, was the research associate. The work was done under the direction of the Advisory Committee with professor Peter Chin, of the Faculty of Education at Queen’s University, and secretary of the STAO Safety Committee, as the on-site supervisor.Guided by the belief that students familiar with active experimentation in the elementary grades will be more likely to continue studying science throughout secondary school and beyond, the project focused on grades 7 and 8 science.

This project concluded successfully last summer. A manual entitled The STAO Microscale Science Project, Microscale Laboratory Exercises for Intermediate Science was produced. It includes eight exercises designed for grades 7 and 8 science, with a problem-solving and hands-on, minds-on approach as the focus, using low-cost microscale science equipment and substances readily available in any drug store or grocery store. This is an ideal platform for applications in intermediate science because laboratory facilities are not an absolute requirement, and the equipment is inexpensive, readily available, accurate, adaptable and does not require specialized knowledge. There are four exercises in each of the physical and biological science:

  • Calibration of Volume
  • Qualitative Determination of Density
  • Quantitative Determination of Density
  • Melting Point
  • Culturing Fresh Water Algae
  • Microscopic Identification of Algae
  • Estimation of Population
  • LD50 Intervention Laboratory

The activities are designed to help students develop technique with microscale equipment and an inquiry approach to science.

Each exercise includes:

  • Laboratory Exercise Title Page, with an executive summary of the lab, relevant outcomes in the Common Curriculum, and overall goals required for each task,
  • Optional Pre-Lab Activity Sheet,
  • Pre-Lab Activity Data Sheet,
  • Laboratory Activity Sheet,
  • Laboratory Activity Data Sheet,
  • Post-Lab Activity Sheet, and
  • Post-Lab Activity Data Sheet.

There is a Teacher Resources section, highlighting:

  • Pre-Lab Activity Resources,
  • Laboratory Activity Resources,
  • Post-Lab Activity Resources,
  • Concept Check,
  • Resources, and
  • Extensions/Considerations for Special Learners.

All student activity sheets and activity data sheets are available as photocopy-ready COPY MASTERS.

Because of the high quality of work in this project, Malcolm Cunningham was awarded a Fellowship by Dow Chemical of Canada.

Teachers interested in obtaining the Microscale Laboratory Exercises for Intermediate Science document can order it through STAO’s Membership Office. The cost is $40 prepaid and includes the booklet, one individual kit containing a Microplate, Culture Flask, and an assortment of micropipettes. Class sets with 15 individual kits, materials for performing the exercises in physical science, and one document can be ordered at a cost of $160. All prices include shipping and taxes.

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