There is a universe all around us that we never see. We live side by side with microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and algae but remain largely unaware of their presence.
Having access to a quality microscope changes that. Students of all ages are captivated by the incredible detail they can discern with a microscope’s magnification.
Unfortunately, many students lack access to a microscope.
While some public libraries or universities may have microscopes available to lend out, typically the waiting list is long.
Because they are so many incredible things to examine with a microscope—things that could inspire a student to pursue a career in science—it’s our desire that every middle and high school student could have access to a microscope. This is why we were elated to find out about the new, affordable microscope – the Foldscope.
The mission of Foldscope and by that extension ours is “to break down the price barrier between people & the curiosity and excitement of scientific exploration.”
To date, Foldscopes have been used by over half a million people in over 135 countries. Not only are they used in the classroom, but they are also beneficial to public health and safety. Foldscopes have been used to detect the microscopic eggs of agricultural pests, to detect fake currency and medicine, to detect bacteria and other pathogens in drinking water, and much more.
We think that the Foldscope is a great tool for exploring the microscopic world. Because of its size and makeup, one is able to use the Foldscope in situations where a microscope isn’t feasible. For instance, we can take our Foldscope when we take a hike or visit the neighborhood rivulet and have it at the ready if we come upon something we’d like to investigate.
The Foldscope community offers many opportunities for real-world applications of data and discovery. We can say with utmost conviction that frugal innovation is our future, and if one is passionate about developing such technologies, then one should give it a try as it is the need of an hour. Manu Prakash undertook this initiative with a noble cause and intention. The success of Foldscope is the result of such a noble intention. The thought he had put to work towards the scientific community is truly inspiring and appreciable.
