Cell (Phone) Microscopes in Class

This might be pretty cool.  For about $20, you can purchase something to add to your iPhone (and really any cell phone).  A tiny glass (or plastic) bead attached to your camera lens can turn your phone into a microscope.  An app would then help the resolution to create better images.

Ichneumon Wasp's Compound Eye - Charles Krebs

It may help doctors diagnose blood disorders, but I am interested in the opportunities for science education.

Almost every child has a cell phone.  At least enough have them for group work.  Many students have smart phones with high resolution cameras.  A small grant could pay for enough kits for the class and the apps.

We should see a technological revolution in the classroom.  This could change how we teach cell biology, but also how we teach spectroscopy in chemistry.  Cool stuff could be coming soon.