Biophysical Society Bulletin | June 2023

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BPS Light Microscopy Outreach The Biophysical Society continues to support enhancing K-12 science education with the goals of increasing scientific awareness by the general public and attracting young people to STEM fields. Light microscopy outreach has been an ac tivity of the Society for several years using the small wooden microscope gifts given by Echo Laboratories and Chroma Technology Corp. in 2016. These microscopes have been used by Society members to conduct light microscopy outreach sessions in schools in the United States and around the globe, including in Bangalore and Delhi, India. Recently, Society member Sharyn Endow and members of her laboratory, together with her department’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, led a light microscopy session at Lowe’s Grove Middle School, a Title 1 STEM Magnet School in Durham, NC in which the majority of students are from low-income families and >90% are from groups that are un der-represented in STEM. They used the small wooden micro scope kits and the Biophysical Society Light Microscopy guide. The session was held in the After School Encore Program on March 8, 2023, with 15–18 students in attendance.

The students looked at different specimens (leaves, pep percorns, fabric, histology slides, Lincoln pennies, etc.). The images were striking with the use of cell phone cameras and lights to illuminate and magnify the specimens. Several students even asked to take their scopes home with them to look at other specimens and show their parents. The principal, vice principal, teachers, and others who came to observe the class were very impressed with how the session went, as the students were clearly very interested in assembling the scopes and using them. Other BPS members have also conducted outreach using the small wooden microscopes, including Yuly Sanchez of the Na tional University of Colombia, who held a session in Tumaco, Columbia, and Andreea Trache of Texas A&M University, who used the wooden microscopes in her Saturday Morning Bio physics Program for middle school and high school girls. Using the microscopes to demonstrate principles of light mi croscopy to young people and introduce students to biophys ical concepts has enabled BPS to reach many young people and to help enhance science education around the world, especially in less advantaged areas.

The Biophysical Society is grateful to its Industry Partners.

For Industry Partner Membership information, contact alevine@biophysics.org. SILVER GOLD

PLATINUM

June 2023

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