In the new episode, we share the story of Michelle Reed, the Library Media Specialist at Jefferson Jr. High. In this episode we discuss the following topics - What is a makerspace? How can makerspaces empower students? What are some suggestions for teachers looking to get started with a makerspace?

Compound light microscopes have more than one lens and use light to magnify an object.

In a compound light microscope, light passes up through a specimen and then through two or more lenses before reaching the eye.

Climb aboard the Cyclops, a microscopic research vessel, and investigate an amazing hidden world on which all living things depend. The Cyclops houses a team of scientists known as the Micronauts and guides them through their discoveries of biological classification, diversity, and ecology. In this clip, the Micronauts explore the vast populations of filter feeders in the open waters of ponds. While exploring, they must escape the powerful feeding currents of these filter feeders. During this adventure, they also explore the special adaptations of algae and water fleas. Part 1 of the Microscopic Monsters Series.

Climb aboard the Cyclops, a microscopic research vessel, and investigate an amazing hidden world on which all living things depend. The Cyclops houses a team of scientists known as the Micronauts and guides them through their discoveries of biological classification, diversity, and ecology. In this clip, the Micronauts explore the process of photosynthesis. They conduct experiments using paramecium by observing the green algae cells within its body. Through their experiments, they realize the in the presence of light, the green cells generate oxygen and food molecules. Part 2 of the Microscopic Monsters Series.

Climb aboard the Cyclops, a microscopic research vessel, and investigate an amazing hidden world on which all living things depend. The Cyclops houses a team of scientists known as the Micronauts and guides them through their discoveries of biological classification, diversity, and ecology. While making a Downloadable docsary, the Micronauts discover the life-rich weedy shallows of the pond. They encounter single celled and multi-celled organisms, and a story unfolds of the diverse ecology found within ponds. Part 3 of the Microscopic Monsters Series.

Climb aboard the Cyclops, a microscopic research vessel, and investigate an amazing hidden world on which all living things depend. The Cyclops houses a team of scientists known as the Micronauts and guides them through their discoveries of biological classification, diversity, and ecology. While navigating the dense aquatic weed forest of the pond, the Cyclops is pulled off course by a hydra. After escaping its tentacles, the crew begins to study how the hydra reproduces, captures its food, and digests its prey. One of the Micronauts takes a journey inside the hydra’s digestive system to get a first-hand account of the digestive process. Part 4 of the Microscopic Monsters Series.

Climb aboard the Cyclops, a microscopic research vessel, and investigate an amazing hidden world on which all living things depend. The Cyclops houses a team of scientists known as the Micronauts and guides them through their discoveries of biological classification, diversity, and ecology. In this episode, the Cyclops crashes into the bottom of the bond and discovers an ooze populated by bacteria. After gathering some, the Micronauts begin to investigate the chemical method the bacteria uses to decompose organic material. In the end, the bacterial also helps the crew escape the bottom of the pond so they can continue to explore. Part 5 of the Microscopic Monsters Series.

Climb aboard the Cyclops, a microscopic research vessel, and investigate an amazing hidden world on which all living things depend. The Cyclops houses a team of scientists known as the Micronauts and guides them through their discoveries of biological classification, diversity, and ecology. In this episode, the crew continues to observe a variety of bacteria. They discover that bacteria is the food of choice for large single celled protists in the pond. Their observations lead them to make conclusions about the food chain found in the pond. Part 6 of the Microscopic Monsters Series.

Climb aboard the Cyclops, a microscopic research vessel, and investigate an amazing hidden world on which all living things depend. The Cyclops houses a team of scientists known as the Micronauts and guides them through their discoveries of biological classification, diversity, and ecology. In this episode, the Cyclops is washed out of the pond and tumbles into a rapidly flowing stream. In the rapids, they discover aquatic insects living under rocks. Through their careful observations, the Micronauts learn the insects are adapted for living on water-swept rocks. Part 7 of the Microscopic Monsters Series.

Climb aboard the Cyclops, a microscopic research vessel, and investigate an amazing hidden world on which all living things depend. The Cyclops houses a team of scientists known as the Micronauts and guides them through their discoveries of biological classification, diversity, and ecology. In this episode, the Cyclops is swept over a waterfall and becomes trapped inside a plastic bottle, which turns out to be the ideal place to observe aquatic insects inhabiting the white water of the rapids. Part 8 of the Microscopic Monsters Series.

Climb aboard the Cyclops, a microscopic research vessel, and investigate an amazing hidden world on which all living things depend. The Cyclops houses a team of scientists known as the Micronauts and guides them through their discoveries of biological classification, diversity, and ecology. In this episode, the Cyclops is swept over a waterfall and becomes trapped inside a plastic bottle, which turns out to be the ideal place to observe aquatic insects inhabiting the white water of the rapids. Part 8 of the Microscopic Monsters Series.

Climb aboard the Cyclops, a microscopic research vessel, and investigate an amazing hidden world on which all living things depend. The Cyclops houses a team of scientists known as the Micronauts and guides them through their discoveries of biological classification, diversity, and ecology. In this episode, two crew members, Jonathan and Tara, investigate the maze-like catacombs of a termite gallery. In this dark maze, they discover that a termite’s gut is home to a protozoan that digests the wood for the termites. Part 10 of Microscopic Monsters Series.

Climb aboard the Cyclops, a microscopic research vessel, and investigate an amazing hidden world on which all living things depend. The Cyclops houses a team of scientists known as the Micronauts and guides them through their discoveries of biological classification, diversity, and ecology. In this episode, the Micronauts take to the air and discover that lawns and flower gardens are home to a variety of insect pollinators and predators. From the air, they witness the role insects play in the backyard ecosystem. Part 11 of Microscopic Monsters Series.

Climb aboard the Cyclops, a microscopic research vessel, and investigate an amazing hidden world on which all living things depend. The Cyclops houses a team of scientists known as the Micronauts and guides them through their discoveries of biological classification, diversity, and ecology. In this episode, the Micronauts come face to face with earthworms. While exploring their burrows, the crew observes the anatomy of earthworms and develops theories about the role earthworms plays in maintaining terrestrial ecosystems. Part 12 of Microscopic Monsters Series.

Climb aboard the Cyclops, a microscopic research vessel, and investigate an amazing hidden world on which all living things depend. The Cyclops houses a team of scientists known as the Micronauts and guides them through their discoveries of biological classification, diversity, and ecology. In this episode, the crew explores the extreme environment of a shallow salty sea. Their mission is to discover the chemical conditions of a living microbial mat. Part 13 of Microscopic Monsters Series.

One way in which minerals differ is the type of crystal structures they form.