ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

Hi Brian:

We have used Wentzscopes and overall are happy with.  The only drawback to the Wentzscope is that they are not able to look at solid objects very well, for slides they are great but to look at detailed specimens you should go to a video microscope.  

We did some research a couple of years ago and found the MICROeye out of New Zealand.  We have not yet purchased one but I have seen them used extensively in the Childrens area at TELUS World of Science Calgary. They have had few maintenance issues and it is so easy to operate that little instruction is necessary.

http://www.microimaging.co.nz/PRODUCTS/Videomicroscopes%20and%20Videomacroscopes/product%20microEYE%20DISCOVERY.htm

Max Scharfenberger 
VP Programs 
TELUS World of Science - Edmonton 
11211 142 Street 
Edmonton, AB  T5M 4A1 
T (780) 452-9100 
F (780) 455-5882 
[log in to unmask]



-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Brian Hostetler
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 1:12 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Microscopes in Musuems


ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

Hello All-
 
We are putting together an exhibit revolving around Pathology Labs and the work they do.  As part of this we are looking at using microscopes for visitors to try without staff supervision.  Does anyone have experience using unsupervised microscopes in an exhibit, and if so what have you done to effectively allow visitors to use them without breaking them into thousands of tiny bits?  Are actual microscopes worth the maintenance and upkeep trouble?  Or should we replace them with images on an LCD screen?
 
Any reply and/or insights would be greatly appreciated!
 
Thanks!
 
Brian Hostetler
Exhibits and Programs Coordinator
The YouZeum 
Columbia, MO
www.youzeum.org


 
____________________________________________________________________________________
Don't get soaked.  Take a quick peek at the forecast
with the Yahoo! Search weather shortcut.
http://tools.search.yahoo.com/shortcuts/#loc_weather

***********************************************************************
More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at http://www.astc.org.

The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft. To learn more, visit
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.

To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]

**This e-mail is intended only for the person to whom it is addressed (the "addressee") and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use that a person other than the addressee makes of this communication is prohibited and any reliance or decisions made based on it, are the responsibility of such person. We accept no responsibility for any loss or damages suffered by any person other than the addressee as a result of decisions made or actions taken based on this communication or otherwise. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and destroy all copies of this e-mail. 

**Ce courriel est strictement reserve a l'usage de la personne a qui il est adresse (le destinataire). Il peut contenir de l'information privilegiee et confidentielle. L'examen, la reexpedition et la diffusion de ce message par une personne autre que son destinataire est interdite. Nous declinons toute responsabilite a l'egard des pertes ou des dommages subis par une personne autre que le destinataire par suite de decisions ou de mesures fondees sur le contenu de cette communication ou autrement. Si vous avez recu ce courriel par erreur, veuillez communiquer avec son expediteur et en detruire toutes les copies.

***********************************************************************
More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at http://www.astc.org.

The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft. To learn more, visit
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.

To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]