Making the Invisible Visible

“These are not just microscopic images. They are easels that paint a story. A story of journey and discovery. A story of awe and wonder.”
                                                                                                                                                             - Shannon Kennedy, Visual Artist

Explore the amazing hidden world through a microscope and a camera! Take photos of various objects of your choosing through the lens of the microscope. Together we will build a class collage of these hidden treasures and make the invisible visible!

Preparation
Student Survey
1.   Do you have a smartphone with a built-in camera? (If no, then no need to answer questions 2-4)
2.   Are you able to bring that device to school?
3.   Are you allowed and willing to install a FREE photo editing app on your device?
4.   Are you willing to allow a few other students to use your device in a small group during science class?

To prepare for class
1.  Find objects that you are interested in looking at under the microscope. Not all objects work well. If you can hold a flashlight to the specimen and see light through it, you are more likely to get a good image. Bring these to class on block day.
2.  Come to class on (Wednesday, January 20 or Thursday, January 21) with the Pixlr Express app  and Google Drive installed on your device. Bring your device to class.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nsl92VfEi7I&feature=em-upload_owner


In Class
Step by Step for Activity
1.  Once the microscope is set-up, open the Pixlr Express app on your device.
2.  Click “Camera”.
3.  Place your camera lens over the microscope eye hole. This will take adjustment. Your goal is to see the microscope image through your camera.
4.  Once you can see the image, hold the device very still!
5.  Have a group member tap the screen to focus the image.
6.  Once the image is focused, have a group member tap the button to take the photo.
7.  NOTE THAT THIS WILL TAKE TIME TO GET RIGHT.
8.  Each time you take a photo, click SAVE in the upper right corner of the screen. Then click GALLERY. Click ORIGINAL.
9.  Click CLOSE to return to the home screen. Take at least 5 images. You will narrow this down to your BEST photo.


EDITING YOUR IMAGES
1.  Once your group has collected the images, use the Pixlr Express app to edit the photos.
2.  For this project you are ONLY to use contrast and color:
3.  To adjust contrast: click the two circles and then hit AUTO CONTRAST or ADJUSTMENTS.
4.  To adjust color: click the two squares and adjust the color using EFFECTS. For each photo you took, create a different variation using the contrast and color adjustments.        Then SELECT your BEST version.
5.  Tap SAVE IMAGE.
TURNING IN YOUR IMAGE - PLEASE UPLOAD ONLY ONE!
Install Google Drive App on your phone! Look at all of your images and choose the ONE you will share.
1.  Open Photos App on Phone.
2.  Open Photo on Phone.
3.  Click the Send button. (Macs: Square with arrow.)
4.  Select Google Drive. Make sure you are on school email account.
5.  Click “My Drive” → “Making the Invisible Visible” → “Put Micro Images Here” → click your period’s folder. Click SAVE HERE..
6.   Hit UPLOAD.

Project Resources
Special thanks to Ms. Jennifer Fry and Mrs. Trish Mihalek