Join Us for free FOLDSCOPE Training and Resources

SMLA has an exciting opportunity to share with environmental educators around the lake. We have a free training workshop coming up with Foldscope, an innovative organization that has created a paper (!) microscope that is capable of seeing most microscopic creatures who live in the lake or the streams.

Through a grant, this organization is coming to SML to offer free Foldscopes to all attendees as well as full training, and access to additional scopes for use in classrooms, environmental education centers, youth groups and other organized water quality operations.

We have room for 20 attendees who can join us for a 90 minute training on Monday November 24 at 10 am in the SMLA offices at 400 Scruggs Rd.

Please to guarantee your spot! Email lqcchair@smlassociation.org with your interest and number of attendees who will join you. This is not just open to SMLA programs but also teachers and environmental groups around the area.

This will be a 90-minute hands-on Foldscope workshop, where participants will receive their own Foldscope paper microscope and in-person training, fully covered by a recent grant. The session follows a train-the-trainer model, so attendees will learn how to assemble and use the Foldscope, prepare and view samples, connect it to a phone for imaging, and explore how it can be integrated into their outreach or environmental monitoring work.

After the workshop, participants can request additional free Foldscopes to use in their classrooms, labs, or community programs. The only condition to receive Foldscopes is participation in the full session, since the request form will be completed right after the workshop and the Foldscopes will be distributed in person at that time.

• Overview of Foldscope: https://foldscope.com/pages/about
• Tutorial videos: https://foldscope.com/pages/tutorials
• Short video of a Foldscope outreach project in Peru: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtFAodY1Zac