DIY Smart Phone Microscope

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This is an astonishingly simple and inexpensive way to build a microscope that allows students to capture digital images of the world just beneath the surface. This project was originally published on the Instructables website.

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Grade Range:
3 to 12+

Duration
2-4 Hours

Supplies
  • 3x 4 ½” x 5/16” carriage bolts
  • 9x 5/16” nuts3x 5/16” wing nuts
  • 5x 5/16” washers
  • ¾” x 7” x 7” plywood  — for the base
  • ⅛” x 7” x 7” plexiglass  — for the camera stage
  • ⅛” x 3” x 7” plexiglass  — for the specimen stage
  • Scrap plexi (~ 2″x 4″) for specimen slide (optional but useful)
  • laser pointer focus lens (use two for increased magnification)
  • LED click light (necessary only for viewing backlit specimens)

Tools:

  • Drill
  • Assorted bits
  • Ruler