MicroscopyEducation
Scanning electron microscopy is an invaluable tool for
examining sample surfaces, but incorporating EDS capabilities allows operators to chemically analyze a sample, facilitating the integration of chemistry, physics, and forensic sciences into experiments. Te technology works by analyzing unique X-rays generated by displacing the electrons within an atom using an electron beam. EDS can both qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the chemical composition of an object by detecting both the elements present and the amount of each. Te AZtec- Live One Xplore EDS system provided by Oxford Instruments requires minimal training, allowing students and teachers to benefit from additional experience in scientific analysis. Delivery of the program was coordinated by the partner
institutions. Te application process was overseen by IRIS, who reviewed all school applications and selected the successful can- didates from the submitted proposals. Te applicants selected to host the SEMs then agreed to a five-to-six-week slot on the cal- endar. Ahead of the delivery of the SEMs, rigorous preparation was carried out, with comprehensive information packs that con- tained key information on setup requirements, general advice, and important questions and answers sent to the schools in advance. On arrival at the host schools, remote supervision of
unpacking the microscopes, setup, and training of teaching staff was carried out over Microsoſt Teams. Tis typically took around 90 minutes, with follow-up training, lasting around two hours, two days later. Te thorough preparation and collabora- tive effort between the host schools and the project staff meant that of each six-week loan period, support was only required for roughly the equivalent of a day. Providing up-front infor- mation and the expert support and advice of the participating institutions meant that the project could be run smoothly with minimal external input, further increasing the number of stu- dents who could engage. Te host schools were able to propose their own projects,
and they used the SEMs in a variety of ways, highlighting the diverse uses of electron microscopy and chemical analysis. Sut- ton Grammar School investigated diatoms as environmental indicators in water systems, with NHM staff showing the stu- dents the diversity of aquatic life in bodies of water. Folkestone School for Girls focused on determining if flour is truly vegan, by examining commercially available flour for identifiable traces of insects. Te SEMs have also been used to study biomimicry in bio-
logical structures and in comparative studies of insects on a microscopic level. Other experiments carried out by teachers and students included spectroscopic analysis of antique coins, and investigations into microstructures and failure modes of different metals.
Discussion Te project was an overwhelming success, with no adverse
Figures 1A–C: The SEM in use by students in workshops at the Anthony Gell school.
for electron microscopy must be preserved or coated to produce high-quality images, so by removing this step, the process was sim- plified and more images could be produced in shorter timescales.
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incidents reported, no serious technical issues, and resound- ingly positive feedback from all who took part. Te project has been confirmed to run until September 2022, and the SEMs have been used in museums participating in the NHM’s Real World Science project to give staff and the public the opportu- nity to use them (Figure 3). Te pilot highlighted how crucial the comprehensive prep- aration and planning was to the overall success of the project,
www.microscopy-today.com • 2022 July
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