Michelle T Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 DS periodically comments on wanting a microscope. I'm sure he would enjoy it, but I wonder if that interest would last beyond a week or so. Those of you who own microscopes, does it get enough use to justify the purchase? Do your kids really use it much? And if you only had one child, would it still be worth it? Michelle T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 We bought the Sonlight microscope when ds did biology in 9th grade. Although it is fun to use and looks pretty cool on his desk, I have to say that, for us, it was a waste of $. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoVanGogh Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 I have an only child - DS - age 7. We bought a stereo microscope last year and love it! I can't imagine NOT having it now. I keep the scope "put up" but we collect nature samples all the time and pile them up on a wooden tray in the living room. Every other week we have a "scope day" where I pull out the microscope and we spend an hour or so looking at everything we have collected - leaves, rocks, acorns, shells, dead bugs. We look at the items whole, then cut/break/smash them to look at the insides. Also, my son loves to dissect :001_huh: so I bought a dissection kit and we have been working our way through the specimens - earthworm, starfish, clam, etc. Looking at everything under the scope really adds to the study. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelli in TN Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 I don't know that I would call it a waste of money because when we want to use it we are grateful to have it. I really wish we'd had it when my two oldest were homeschooling. But, truthfully, we don't use it frequently. We used it a bunch when my current high schooler was taking biology and I am certain it will get a lot of use as my youngers get to to high school age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in SC Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 You might want to check with your nearest university or children's/science museum. Our local university lends us materials for up to 3 weeks at a time. We also have Fort Discovery, a science museum, that does the same. All of this is free for teachers, including homeschool teachers. My son really wanted a microscope so we borrowed one a few weeks ago with a bunch of prepared slides. He has enjoyed it, but I don't think he still wants to own one. We also borrow almost anything else we need for science. It is a great resource. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda S in TX Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Our indoor, plug into the wall microscope does not get much use. It is always set up and ready, the children just rarely us it. Our Brock Magiscope is used all the time. They take it outside almost every day. Even 3dd and 6ds use the Brock. Melinda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAM Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 We have a Brock Magiscope, I love it but truthfully it is almost never used. I don't regret buying it though...I just hope it will get used someday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafiki Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 We often pull ours out. Even when we are not studying biology, every couple of months one of the boys will want to see something through the microscope (Sonlight). I'm very glad to have it. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIch elle Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 DS periodically comments on wanting a microscope. I'm sure he would enjoy it, but I wonder if that interest would last beyond a week or so. Those of you who own microscopes, does it get enough use to justify the purchase? Do your kids really use it much? And if you only had one child, would it still be worth it? Michelle T :lol: :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoveBaby Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 We are planning on purchasing the brock magiscope for my children with part of our tax refund. I think they will use it a *lot*. I can think of a half-doz. times in the last month or so that *I* would have liked to have used it! I like that it's for field work, so they can take it out this spring and look at all sorts of cool things! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpidarkomama Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 We use ours all the time!!! (Kids are 5, 3, 2, and 1.) My husband is an epidemiologist, so we didn't have to buy one. It's much better than what we need, but he already had it. :) We *love* using it all the time. We're studying cells in R.E.A.L. science/biology right now, and it's great to actually look at the difference between plant and animal cells, and compare many with each other. Bugs or bug pieces are another big hit. Water. Spit. Blood. Dirt. Salt. We look at lots of things. I think my daughter inherited her papa's love of biology. I'm pretty sure she could look through a microscope all day long and not get bored... :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
classics4us Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 When we first got ours we used it all of the time ( that was 2 years ago). Now that we've had it for this long it doesn't get pulled out as often. I do think having a good microscope is a good investment if you have a child who likes science. Remember that your child has years of schooling left and you never know when one might come in handy. hth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 Is there a co-op in your area? Could the co-op buy one and let members use it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hihoboneo Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 I would say borrow one if you can! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen sn Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Only if it is a good one. I had one as a kid - it went to 1500 magnification! We used it ALL THE TIME. Hair, grass, bug parts, scabs, etc..... Of course....I love science so that may be why it was always out. But the ones I have looked at recently are so lame, they have no power at all and where's the fun in that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 To my sons, YES!!!! I am looking forward to finding a good one soon. Anyone have ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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