Getting Started with Teaching Microscopes: a uHandy Review

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Ever since we started teaching in a hybrid or hyflex context, I’ve been trying to find hands-on teaching activities where students online could still connect theoretical knowledge to practical experience. Those who are online don’t necessarily have access to chemicals or solutions that in-person students would have. While I’ve spoken extensively on how to create a community through learning circles or groups consisting of online and in-person students here, I still want to ensure that the students are going through some semblance of an experiment at home. 

Experiments using household chemicals are a great entry point but are limiting.. Students can mostly observe the differences between physical and chemical properties and not much else. Furthermore, it can't be assumed that all students have the same amount of resources (i.e. there’s only half a jar of white vinegar in the kitchen and the experiment calls for a full jar), so students had to make do with what they have. This is when I realized that students could actually conduct microscale experiments. 

I first focused on microscale experiments when I was teaching abroad as we didn’t have access to a lot of resources. I also realized that since the students are using weaker concentrated solutions, it would be a lot more meaningful for them to make qualitative observations, which would be great if they had access to microscopes.

In comes uHandy, the handy mobile microscope.

What is uHandy?

uHandy is a small, portable, mobile and tablet lens attachment that has both low (optimized for 10~120x) and high magnification (optimized for 30x~360x).

The kit also includes any other pieces you may need.The low magnification lens already works well with ambient light, however, if you find yourself needing an extra light source, the kit already comes with an USB-charged light.

In terms of collecting samples, uHandy provides really intuitive stickers that allow users to collect samples and save them to view for another time. These sample collections are ideally for dry objects such as flower pollens or insect parts, and not ideal for solution-based observations. To support observations on solution-based experiments, uHandy provided small petri dishes to place on top of the lens so that the user can take pictures or record a video. 

Review of uHandy

When I first received my uHandy, I was very impressed because in addition to the kit containing every tool that I needed to support my lenses, I could also use standard slides to test out my lenses and familiarize myself with setting it up.

I say setting it up, but in actuality all it takes is a simple clip and adjusting the lens so it covers your camera lens. I personally preferred using the front facing camera because I can immediately see the quality of the image while also having my iPad lying down flat on my desk. However, if you need a stand, uHandy also provides a tablet and phone stand should you need to treat your tablet or phone like a microscope where you place the slides or samples underneath the tablet or phone.

There were plenty of hand-held microscopes before uHandy, I was mostly familiar with the USB charged microscope lenses, but it doesn’t offer as high of a magnification as the uHandy lens. What I really love about is how uHandy microscope provides the option for students to inquire and discover the differences between the two magnifications, something that older USB charged microscope lenses aren’t able to offer.

An image of kosher salt using the uHandy high magnifying lens.

An image of kosher salt using the uHandy low magnifying lens.

An image of a butterfly leg slide, one of the prepared slides that comes with the teacher kit.

What’s the Learning Curve like?

As I’ve mentioned above, uHandy is very easy to set-up. My only learning curve is honestly learning how to adjust the lens so that it allows me to capture the best looking images. In addition to that, you also need to be comfortable with becoming a photographer yourself. What I mean by that is that you have to familiarize yourself with your own personal device’s camera, things like:

• How do you increase or decrease exposure?

• How do you zoom in or out?

• How do different modes (photo, video) look?

These factors are important to consider when taking photos while using uHandy. It’s not necessary to take photos, but as a science teacher, I like to always have my students be in the habit of collecting quantitative as well as qualitative data, and images are always a good reference point for them to refer to when completing their analysis.

How I could see myself using uHandy

Microscale Chemistry Experiments

In chemistry, students need to learn about the different types of reactions. Most of them struggle with single and double displacements because students have to remember what ion combinations are soluble and insoluble. Furthermore, they have to determine if the reaction has occurred if there is a precipitate. Sometimes the production of the precipitate is so small that students aren’t able to tell the difference.

By attaching the uHandy microscope to their personal devices during an experiment or demonstration for the class, students could see microscopically what’s happening with the solutions and what it means when a precipitate is formed.

Introduction to Microscope

uHandy microscope is a fantastic entry point for the microscope lessons. I’ve also found it very daunting for students to be fiddling with a real microscope as they aren’t necessarily confident in their own lab skills yet and are very timid around the microscope. In addition, students are often bogged down with the different knobs and dials on the microscope and aren’t focusing on how to adjust accordingly so that they could view their slides appropriately.

As the first tool for students to use, students could focus on what the microscope does and determine the magnification of the lens from the image or draw a scientific drawing of the image. By using uHandy microscope, students could practice important transferable skills that they would need to rely on later in their scientific career.  

Remote Teaching and Learning Tool

Since it is so easy to set-up, I can easily connect my personal device to the computer so I can show my students what certain reactions look like microscopically, or how certain materials look microscopically in our structures unit in general science. Any tool that allows me to create a familiarity that is similar to a classroom for my students online and in-person is a good tool for me as an educator.

If you are interested in getting your hands on this fantastic tool, make sure you take a look at the Teacher Kit as it offers a wide range of tools that I’ve already highlighted above.

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