Kit Description
2 Kits
1 Tub per Kit
The Private Eye® is about the drama and wonder of looking closely at the world, thinking by analogy, changing scale, and theorizing. Designed to develop higher order thinking skills, creativity, and scientific literacy, it is an excellent way to introduce the power of learning by asking questions. Using magnifying loupes, students look closely at familiar objects and use analogies to connect form and function. A great learning experience for all age groups! Learn more at http://www.the-private-eye.com
Web resources for size & scale, powers of 10 concepts
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Wikipedia: Private EyeQuick background on the Private Eye Project and some additional links.
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The Scale of the Universe 2Zoom from the edge of the universe to the quantum foam of space-time and learn the scale of things along the way! Developed by 14 year old twin brothers! Pleasant music, too.
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Cell Size and Scale interactiveFrom the Genetic Science Learning Center, use this quick interactive to help gain a sense of the size and scale of cells and molecules.
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Nikon Universcale-visual scale/magnification demonstrationFrom the nanoworld to the universe
— The worlds we measure using our infinite yardstick.
We are able to view all entities, from the microworld to the universe, from a single perspective. By setting images up with a scale, we are able to compare and understand things which cannot be physically compared. -
Nikon's Small World Galleryimages from Nikon's photomicrography competition
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Powers of 10 video (Eames)Powers of Ten takes us on an adventure in magnitudes. Starting at a picnic by the lakeside in Chicago, this famous film transports us to the outer edges of the universe. Every ten seconds we view the starting point from ten times farther out until our own galaxy is visible only as a speck of light among many others. Returning to Earth with breathtaking speed, we move inward- into the hand of the sleeping picnicker - with ten times more magnification every ten seconds. Our journey ends inside a proton of a carbon atom within a DNA molecule in a white blood cell.
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Cells AliveExcellent collection of photos, videos, and interactives for learning more about cells. Try the cancer cell cam or the bacteria cam!
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Zoom by Istvan Banyai (You Tube video made from the book)fun example of size and scale
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Metric system prefixesGood graphic of metric prefixes. Search Google Images for many variations.
Asking Questions and The Power of Ignorance
Ignorance: How it drives science. Book by Stuart Firestein (2012).
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Stuart Firestein on TedEx (video)The pursuit of ignorance (with reflections on the education system and testing). Filmed February 2013.
Useful Links
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Project MICRO from the Microscopy Society of AmericaMSA members have collected a great collection of microscopy resources including advice on buying microscopes. A link takes you to the Lawrence Hall of Science GEMS guides site, co-developers of the Microscopic Explorations guide.
In The News
{A place for articles, news clips, etc covering topics related to each specific kit}
Private Eye Frequently Asked Questions
Podcast
Private Eye Notebook Table of Contents
| Table of Contents | ||
| Tab | Document | |
| Kit Inventory |
Complete List of Equipment and Materials Included Private Eye Kit Inventory List |
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| Kit Contents | * The loupe—a 5X magnification tool (36 loupe set) * Natural specimens to observe * 6-well plates & Petri dishes to collect specimens * Private Eye® guidebook and posters |
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YouTube Video: The Private Eye developer Kerry Ruef
Meet founder Kerry Ruef as she introduces The Private Eye, shows examples of students using the process, student artwork and writing. Hear teachers talk about the effect of using the program in their classrooms, and about The Private Eye Training-the-Trainers Institute.