The Grade 6 cell study unit has begun! Middle School Science Teacher Claudia Edwards' students learned that cells were first discovered only after the invention of the microscope, highlighting how advances in technology shape scientific understanding. They were introduced to the different parts of the microscope and were required to pass an “Anatomy of a Microscope” quiz before being able to use the equipment independently. Working with a lab partner, students then explored a variety of plant and animal specimens. As they observed, they considered which objective lens best enabled them to focus on the organization, patterns, and structures they saw. They carefully documented their observations through labeled diagrams and detailed notes in their science notebooks, practicing the important scientific skills of observation and record-keeping.