Scanning Electron Microscopy Applications for Community College Science Instruction

北亨内平社区学院(NHCC)的本科生物实验室增加了全自动扫描电子显微镜，这将使低年级的科学教学水平成为可能，而在此之前，只有高年级和研究生才能接受科学教学。使用较老的手动扫描电子显微镜(SEM)，一个针对低年级大学生的扫描电子显微镜应用试点项目表明，扫描电子显微镜的实验室经验可以激发人们对科学学科的更大兴趣和理解。全自动、用户友好的扫描电子显微镜将允许生物系进行以下改变：(1)将增加一门专注于结构生物学技术的新课程，其中包括学生研究部分；(2)学习细胞和分子生物学的学生将在细胞和组织结构检查方面获得更多的动手实验室经验；(3)生物学入门课程的所有学生都将有机会亲身操作扫描电子显微镜--经验本身和制作的显微照片将补充用于研究复杂结构的其他实验室和讲座材料；以及(4)访问中学生的实验室演示和访问大学和中学的教育工作者进行研究项目的机会将增加。

The addition of fully automated scanning electron microscopy to the undergraduate biology laboratories at North Hennepin Community College (NHCC) will make possible a level of science instruction at the lower-division that was, before this time, reserved only for upper-division and graduate students. Using an older, manually operated Scanning Electron Microscope(SEM), a pilot project with SEM applications for lower-division college students has demonstrated that SEM lab experiences generate a greater interest in and understanding of science subjects. A fully automated, user friendly SEM will permit the following changes to be made in the Biology Department: (1) A new course focusing on techniques in structual biology that includes a student research componen will be added; (2) students studying cell and molecular biology will have enhanced hands-on lab experience in the examination of cellular and tissue structure; (3) all students in introductory biology will have an opportunity for firsthand operation of a SEM -The experience itself and the micrographs produced will supplement other laboratory and lecture materials used for the study of intricate structures; and (4) laboratory demonstrations for visiting secondary school students and opportunities for research projects by visiting college and secondary school educators will increase.