The Bugscope project, offered through the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, allows K-12 classrooms to remotely operate a scanning electron microscope (SEM) in real time from a classroom computer to create incredibly cool images of insects and other "bugs" at high magnification. Detailed instructions for scheduling a session and using the SEM are provided. Classrooms design their own experiments and mail their own specimen(s) to Bugscope, which provides the imaging services completely free of charge. The only equipment required on the part of the classroom is a computer with Internet access. Users can also visit Bugscope's fantastic image collection: a 3D image gallery (requires Stereoscope Java applet or DepthCharge plugin) and a set of 42 psuedo-color stereograms for an up-close look at spider fangs, mouse stomach, and even "fly booty."
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