C-MORE Microscopes in Middle Schools Program
C-MORE
Microscopes in Middle Schools Project
C-MORE
Contact Information
As part of its wide-ranging education program, the Center for Microbial Oceanography: Research and Education (C-MORE), based at the University of Hawaiâi at MÄnoa, is partnering with the Hawaii State Department of Education (DOE) and the UH STEM Pre-Academy Initiative to distribute digital video microscopes and related supplies (valued at $1775) to Hawaiâiâs public middle schools statewide.
The oceans are of vital importance to life on Earth: they regulate climate, provide food and oxygen and cycle essential chemical elements and compounds. Marine microbes are the drivers of these ocean processes. For example, phytoplankton (plant-like plankton) forms the base of the marine food web and produce over half the oxygen that we breathe. However, phytoplankton and other microbes can be difficult to conceptualize because they cannot be seen without specialized equipment.
So, how do you get students interested in learning about something they canât even see?
One way is to start with something they can see! If you go up one step in the food web from phytoplankton, youâll find zooplankton. Zooplankton are a diverse group of organisms that feed upon smaller phytoplankton or other zooplankton, or are parasites. Some zooplankton spend their entire lives drifting in the sea. Others only spend part of their life cycle as plankton and then grow up to become fish, crabs, corals or lobsters. Zooplankton can be easily caught and studied right from shore. After completing this workshop, teachers will be able to collect, observe and study plankton with their students through inquiry driven projects.
Participating schools that received a microscope
- Aliamanu Middle
- Änuenue
- Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle
- Ewa Makai Middle
- HÄlau KĆ« MÄna
- Hana High & Intermediate
- Hawaii Academy of Arts & Science
- Hawaii School for the Deaf and Blind
- Highlands Intermediate
- Hilo Intermediate
- Honokaâa High & Intermediate
- Iao School
- Innovations
- Jarrett Middle
- Kahuku High & Intermediate
- Kailua Intermediate
- Kaimuki Middle
- Kalama Intermediate
- Kalanianaâole Elementary & Intermediate
- Kanuikapono
- Kanu o ka âÄina
- Kapaâa Middle
- Kapolei Middle
- Kawaikini New Century
- Kawananakoa Middle
- Ke Kula Niâihau O Kekaha
- Ke Kula âO NÄwahÄ«okalaniâĆpuâu
- Ke Kula âO Samuel M. Kamakau
- Keaâau Middle
- Kealakehe Intermediate
- Kihei Charter School
- King Intermediate
- Lahaina Intermediate
- Lanaâi High & Elementary
- Lokelani Intermediate
- Maui Waena Intermediate
- Mililani Middle
- Moanalua Middle
- Molokai Middle
- Nanakuli High & Intermediate
- Niu Valley Middle
- Olomana
- Paâauilo Elementary & Intermediate
- Pahoa High & Intermediate
- SEEQS â School for Examining Essential Questions of Sustainability
- Stevenson Middle
- University Lab School
- Volcano School of Arts & Science
- Wahiawa Middle
- Waiakea Intermediate
- Waialua High & Intermediate
- Waikoloa Elementary & Middle
- Waimea Canyon Middle
- Waimea Middle
- Waipahu Intermediate
- Washington Middle
- West Hawaii Explorations Academy
- Wheeler Middle
Workshop Locations & Dates
- Kailua-Kona, Hawaiâi
31 January 2015 at West Hawaiâi Explorations Academy - Honolulu, Oâahu
25 October 2014 at Waikīkī Aquarium - Kahului, Maui
11 September 2014 at Iao School - Lihue, Kauaâi
24 June 2014 at Nuimalu Beach Park - Hilo, Hawaiâi
12 April 2014 at MokupÄpapa Discovery Center - Hoâolehua, Molokaâi
18 Jan 2014 at Molokaâi High School - Honolulu, Oâahu
17 November 2012 at UH MÄnoa
Download the syllabus (PDF)
- Honolulu, Oâahu
05 May 2012 at UH MÄnoa
Download the syllabus (PDF) - Lihue, Kauaâi
14 April 2012 at Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School
Download the syllabus (PDF) - Hilo, Hawaiâi
03 March 2012 at MokupÄpapa Discovery Center
Download the syllabus (PDF) - Kahului, Maui
11 February 2012 at UH Maui College
Download the syllabus (PDF) - Honolulu, Oâahu
03 December 2011 at UH MÄnoa
Download the syllabus (PDF)
News
- Plankton Sightings
Capture any good plankton pictures? If so, please add them to our project noah missions: - Hawaii Public Radioâs âThe Conversationâ interviewing teacher Jenny Kuwahara on 05-04-12 (starts at ~38min).
- âWindow on a microscopic worldâ in West Hawaii Today on 02-14-12.
- âUH offering DOE middle schools digital video microscopes via workshopsâ in Hawaii 24/7 on 02-14-12.
- âMiddle schools get microscopesâ in UH System News on 02-17-12.
Supplies Provided
- Motic DM-143 Digital Stereo Microscope (with spare bulbs)
- 80 ”m mesh plankton net
- 2 tow lines (~15 m and ~3 m lengths)
- 2 Collection jars (one weighted, one plain) with lid
- 53 ”m plankton sieve
- 500 ml wash bottle
- 2 Petri dishes
- 3 dissecting needles
- Plankton ID book: A Guide to Marine Coastal Plankton and Marine Invertebrate Larvae by DeBoyd Smith and Kevin Johnson
Resources
- âMicroscopes to Middle Schoolsâ booklet (PDF, 9 MB)
- âPlankton Towâ (PPT, 14 MB)
- âIntroduction to Marine Microbesâ (PPT, 32 MB)
- âIntroduction to Planktonâ â NARRATED (PPT, 51 MB)
- âIntroduction to Planktonâ â NON-NARRATED (PPT, 7 MB)
- "Ecological Data Extension"Â (PDF)
- "Plankton ID datasheet"(.xlsx)