Warden students use electron microscope

WARDEN — Warden High School students in Darin Orton’s zoology class observed insects under the scanning electron microscope at the Beckman Institute at the University of Illinois.

The Warden students scheduled time on the equipment, collected specimens and mailed them to the university. On the appointed day, the class logged in to the microscope through the Internet.

 Students were able to control the microscope to observe various aspects of the specimens and capture images for use later. The students captured 236 images.

In addition, students asked questions to the lab technicians related to the insect specimens. Examples of some questions regarded the number of lenses on the compound eyes of insects and how hairy some of the specimens were, according to principal Chris Rust.

Orton said the activity was a valuable learning experience for his students.

“This was my first experience with the scanning electronic microscope, but it won’t be my last,” Orton said.

— Staff report