Usually the most fascinating things to view close-up are the things you see every day. The stereo microscope lets you get that closeup view of familiar things like rocks and soil, bugs and leaves. Because of the special stereo design, you're able to perceive depth while looking at something 20X its normal size.

Once you're ready to go to the next level, the compound microscope will take you up to an amazing 1000X! Designed for viewing plant or animal cells, or even microorganisms, this high-power microscope works best with specimen slides. We've include a starter kit for preparing your own slides, as well as some slides with premounted specimens.

The World of the Microscope contains everything you need to know about using a microscope. Lavish illustrations and thoughtful writing will guide you through your journey. Read about the history and future of microscopes, and learn how to collect and view your own specimens.

This specimen kit includes 5 prepared slides, as well as a collection of tools for making your own slides. There's a Petri dish for holding liquid samples, and 5 blank slides and cover slips for mounting thin-section specimens, like tissues. There's an easy-to-use micro-tome for slicing specimens, and red and blue stains to improve contrast in highly-translucent specimens. A vial, stirring rod, and pipette will help prepare wet-mount slides. And, of course, there are tweezers to help with the more-delicate subjects.