Magnifying Microscopes

Magnifying Microscopes in action at Coolbinia Primary School

Former WA Chief Scientist Lyn Beazley had a vision that every primary school in WA should have a set of Magnifying Microscopes.

The Rotary Club of Freshwater Bay, together with the Science Teachers’ Association of Western Australia (STAWA) and the Water Corporation, has been making that dream a reality since 2010 through the Microscopes in Schools project.

Currently we have donated in excess of 24,000 microscopes to over 800 schools, primarily throughout Western Australia, but also in all states of Australia as well as in Asian and Pacific Island countries.

Microscopes have also gone to:

  • Junior Naturalist Group
  • Sydney Institute of Marine Science
  • environmental centres
  • Gifted and Talented students program in the Wheatbelt of Western Australia
  • Science Teachers unit at Curtin University
  • home school families

and various other small groups.

The Magnifying Microscope

The Magnifying Microscope is a small hand-held unit that allows a child to easily move it around to view items indoors or out. An Activity Booklet has been produced by the Water Corporation, in conjunction with STAWA, so that teachers are able to integrate the use of the Magnifying Microscopes with their existing curriculum.

The Water Corporation provide four copies of the Magnifying Microscopes activities booklet and hands-on help for the science teacher in the school. The activities focus on the use of microscopes, plant adaptations to water supply, plant structure and soil composition, and include teacher background notes.

Get Involved

LOGO with black work 2Rotary Clubs are invited to participate by donating a set of magnifying microscopes, emblazoned with the Rotary emblem, to primary schools in their area.

The project works best when a primary school is given a set of 30 microscopes with a supply of 30 EverReady AA batteries (not included – available from your local supermarket). Please do not supply lithium batteries as they are too powerful and may blow the globe.

Each Magnifying Microscope costs $15 – a full set of 30 units costs $450.

Postage can be arranged to clubs outside the Perth metro area.

To order microscopes or find out more, please contact the project coordinator: microscopes@rotaryfreshwaterbay.org.au

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