Mobile scanning electron microscope
Microscopes provide insights into the natural world. As the technology becomes more sophisticated, we can observe and explore objects with incredible detail.
Some universities have mobile scanning electron microscopes that are used for outreach in schools. The University of Waikato Te Aka Mātuatua | School of Science has a Hitachi TM4000 tabletop microscope that spent 2024 on the road visiting schools in the Waikato region, with PhD students alongside for technical support. This was part of a University of Waikato outreach project. Get in touch with your closest university to see what outreach they offer.
Hitachi TM4000 tabletop microscope
The Hitachi TM4000 is a tabletop scanning electron microscope. The 2024 outreach project Magnifying curiosity by investigating the very small was supported by Unlocking Curious Minds and saw the TM4000 spark the minds of students across the Waikato region. Contact the University of Waikato for more information and to inquire about the TM4000 SEM.
The TM4000 shows all ages and fields of interest that our surroundings are more than what we can see naturally. Taking a sample of interest and viewing it from a different perspective opens up a whole new world of possibilities. When we examine and wonder about our world more deeply, putting discovered objects into a scanning electron feeds our natural curiosity, sparks further inquiry, and enriches the learning experience while stimulating our interest in STEM.
About scanning electron microscopes (SEM)
Most students have access to light microscopes. These use visible light to illuminate the object being looked at and focus the light using one or more glass lenses. Two kinds of light microscope are common in the classroom: the stereomicroscope (which looks at the surface of a sample) and the compound microscope (which looks at a thin cross-section).
Electron microscopes allow us to view objects at far higher resolution than a light microscope. This is because the wavelength of visible light limits the resolution of light microscopes and the wavelength of electrons is far smaller.
Resolving power of microscopes
Different types of microscope have different resolving powers. Light microscopes let us distinguish objects as small as a bacterium. Electron microscopes have much higher resolving power – the most powerful allow us to distinguish individual atoms.
Download a PDF of this infographic here.
The scanning electron microscope (SEM) lets us see the surface of three-dimensional objects in high resolution. It works by scanning the surface of an object with a focused beam of electrons and detecting electrons that are reflected from and knocked off the sample surface. At low magnifications, entire objects (such as insects) viewed on the SEM can be in focus at the same time. That’s why the SEM is so good at generating three-dimensional images of lice, flies, snowflakes and so on.
Electron microscope images – slideshow
To see how different objects can look once magnified, have a look at this collection of images taken using a scanning electron microscope (SEM).
Use the Slideshow menu for further options, including view full screen, and go here for the download option.
Developing curiosity and the nature of science and technology
There is a myriad of reasons for bringing the SEM into the classroom. For most students, it offers the opportunity to explore things at the microscopic scale – to observe things the human eye isn’t capable of seeing. For older students, it provides an excellent context for exploring the dynamic nature of science. Few things have changed our understanding of the natural world as has microscopy.
Microscopes are also an excellent context for exploring the nature of technology. Whether the purpose is simply making observations with an amazing machine or delving more deeply into the big science ideas associated with microscopy, SEM offers multiple opportunities for STEM learning.
Resources to deepen the learning experience
This interactive curates resources from the Science Learning Hub and Inspire STEM Education. The teaching activities can be used in most classroom situations to introduce ākonga of all ages to the types of images they are likely to see while using a SEM. It introduces some of the key terms and content vocabulary. Remember that all Hub resources have a glossary button – allowing you to select, download and edit/simplify any of the glossary terms from the resource.
A scanning electron microscope in the classroom – resources
Use this interactive to discover a range of resources that support learning about microscopes and help prepare students to get the most out of their experiences with a scanning electron microscope (SEM).
Select here to view the full transcript and copyright information.
Nature of science
Experiencing a SEM in the classroom supports the ‘Understanding about science’ strand. Microscopes are continuing to build our understanding of the natural world. The data they provide is used as evidence to support and/or challenge current thinking. Using the SEM also provides insights into how scientists work, along with the collaborative nature of science and science outreach.
Related content
Exploring with microscopes – introduction curates many of our resources in one handy location.
The topic Microscopes and telescopes has additional resources. Use the filters to narrow your search.
Use our Microscopes collection to find additional resources. Remember, you can copy and save this collection and add your own resources to it.
Activity ideas
Go from the high-tech SEM to a fun and accessible low-tech option by making a simple microscope with everyday materials.
These activities also use everyday materials to model how scientists interpret data from electron microscopes:
Using shadows to build 3D images – model how scientists interpret microscopic data
Useful links
Visit the University of Waikato website to learn more about an SEM visit to your school. While there, check out other science resources and experiences on offer to schools.
Inspire STEM Education provides Australian school students with research-grade scientific equipment and support – similar to the experience offered by the University of Waikato.
Unlocking Curious Minds
The University of Waikato initiative Magnifying curiosity by investigating the very small is supported by the Unlocking Curious Minds contestable fund.
