Earlier this year, the Penn-Trafford Community Education Foundation (PTCEF) purchased ten new microscopes for the high school biology classes. In a recent lesson, students used the new microscopes to compare and contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and the structures that are found within each. Other lessons using the microscopes have included comparing plant vs animal cells, observing protist cells, and identifying phases of mitosis in onion cells.
“Using microscopes is a vital skill within the biology classroom,” states teacher Mrs. Henney, who was instrumental in acquiring the new equipment. “Seeing the cells in person provides a much more valuable and relevant experience for students, as opposed to looking at pictures on their computer.”
Ben Zierski observes bacteria cells
Levi Smail compares Elodea cells to the other type of plant cells he observed (onion cells)
Tre Muhitch and Colton Tyburski observe onion cells and identify key organelles
Lily Gaal uses the microscope to observe human cheek cells