Microscopes for Schools

M4S Competition

M4S Competition 

The Microscopes 4 Schools (M4S) Competition is an exciting image competition for primary schools, aimed at pupils of Year 5 and 6 learning age. It is free, no preparation is needed by teachers and all the planning and support is provided by the M4S team. 

The aim of the M4S Competition is to stimulate the scientific curiosity of children by connecting the microscopic world to everyday life and to introduce children to the world of research.  

Watch our video for more about the competition and on how and why we use microscopes in science.

How it works

1. We Send You the Microscopes
Pupils taking images of samples with a digital microscope at school activities.

The regional M4S teams will provide schools with a hand-held digital microscope DinoLite kit to borrow for two weeks.

The kit will be delivered in person or posted via courier free of charge. Pupils can then try their hands at taking images of biological samples (e.g. leaves, flowers, insects, feathers, etc.) with the microscope kits and schools can submit their 10 best images to the regional annual competition.

The winning schools are awarded prizes ranging from a digital imaging system to stereoscope microscopes.

​See competition eligibility and rules.

The DinoLite is a hand-held digital microscope with an incorporated camera and is very easy to use. It will be connected to a laptop computer that has the DinoLite software already installed, provided as part of the M4S microscope kit.

Please watch our video and follow the step-by-step instructions to see how to set up and use the microscope (the step-by-step guide is also provided inside the microscope box we send you).

The school will not have to replace the microscope or computer, or pay for their repair, if damage occurs but this could compromise the competition so please do take care:

  • The microscope and the computer should be stored in a safe place when not in use (e.g. in a lockable drawer).
  • The teaching staff should supervise the children when they use the equipment.
  • Please follow the packing instructions when returning the kit to the storage case and ensure all items are returned.

 

Meet the Scientist virtual visit.

In addition to lending schools a microscope for the competition, the M4S Competition provides an online session for each school during the two-week competition slot.

These sessions are hosted by scientists and a member of the M4S regional hubs who will introduce microscopes, explain the incredible work that takes place in our labs as well as answer children’s questions about any aspect of science, including careers.

M4S competition eligibility and rules

Eligibility
  • The M4S Competition is open to schools in areas of the M4S regional hubs.
  • Priority is given to schools from underprivileged areas where fewer children may have exposure to science careers or consider going on to pursue higher education.
  • The M4S regional hubs will contact eligible schools and invite them to take part in the competition.
  • Only images of biological samples can be entered (e.g. insects, plants or anything else that excites the children).
  • The samples should be collected and imaged by the pupils.
  • Each school can enter a maximum of 10 images.
  • The images should not be “retouched” with Photoshop or similar software.
  • The main criteria for the selection of the winning image will be quality and originality, so submitting diverse images of different biological samples will increase your chances of winning.




M4S Regional Hubs