The Peanut has asked for a microscope for Christmas this year. That's our science girlie!
But it has lead me down an endless path of researching what might or might not be the best options for a microscope that would allow our daughter to explore, but would not be so sensitive that it would break in the first week.
It's a tough question, with a lot of opinion and review pieces abounding, but not a lot of real, hard data to back them up.
I stumbled across a basic "what to look for and what to avoid" post from PZ Myers at Pharyngula which was very helpful. But I'm still struggling to evaluate best options given that trying something like this out before purchase where we live in WV is not at all a likely prospect. (Shopping in the boonies has its disadvantages. SIGH)
So I'm asking for a little help out there: anyone have a particular brand/style/model of microscope that would work well for a precocious 8-year-old? Something she could use for both slide viewing (compound) and also basic "object under the microscope" (stereoscopic or dissecting) viewing as well?
There are several options available on amazon, but not being able to try before I buy is making me a little nervous about hitting purchase right away.
Any thoughts on what to buy -- or NOT to buy -- would be very much appreciated. Especially if you have had some personal experience with a particular model. Or you bought something, found it utterly lacking and/or hated it on sight. Or found the microscope of your child's dreams and want to share endlessly about it. All that would be most helpful for a befuddled momma. Thanks!
(Photo of spirogyra via Carolina Biological.)
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