Good things come in (2) different small packages. Our pocket microscopes are compact and perfect for a clear, close look at stamps, coins, flora, insects or assorted minutiae. The 30X version measures 5-3/4" x 1-5/8" x 3/4" in black plastic with a focus knob, on/off switch, small LED for illumination, and a vinyl carrying case. Requires (2) "AA"s. The 60X version is a microscopic 3-1/4" x 1-3/16" x 3/4" and has a built-in white LED illuminator powered by (3) coin-cell batteries that are included. Magnifies from 60-100X, with coarse- and fine-focus knobs, and has a vinyl carrying case.

When you peer through your magnifying glass at this specimen, or focus your microscope on it, even at the lower magnifications which work best, you're looking at one big bug. Make that (4) big bugs. The insects are real, encased in clear acrylic blocks 1-3/4" x 1-1/4" x up to 11/16" thick, and ready for inspection. Set 1 includes a scorpion, giant ant, wasp and a flower bug. Set 2 is a cricket, locust, yellow leaf beetle, and crab. No, not a crab louse or a crab spider, but definitely a crab ugly.

Microscope glassware for examination of blood, pond water, mold, and other minutiae. All of the microscope slides are optically clear glass 26mm x 76mm (about 1" x 3"), between 1mm and 1.2mm thick. The well slides, of course, have a concave well to hold a drop of liquid. Our each is a package of (12) well slides, or a box of (72) standard slides with ground or beveled edges. Cover glasses are the smaller and very thin pieces of glass used as the top of the glass slide sandwich. They are often used temporarily by simply dropping them onto a drop of liquid to flatten and spread it and to minimize evaporation. More confident microscopists will cement them in place to permanently preserve a specimen. Our each is a package of (100) cover glasses 18 mm square, #1 thickness (0.13mm to 0.17mm). If you need one, you need both.

Begin their microscopic education here, with this 40-640X student microscope from Levenhuk®. Featuring an adjustable eyepiece, variable white LED illuminator, and adjustable iris. Comes with a cover; (5) blank and (5) prepared slides; pipette; brine shrimp, yeast, sea salt and glue samples; forceps; a microtome; 58-page user guide; and a 23-page manual. Includes (2) “AA” batteries and a lifetime warranty through the manufacturer.

Our newest Celestron® compound (biological) microscope is even better than the last one we offered. This one comes with a 3.5" color LCD viewing screen that rotates 180° for easy sharing in a lab, classroom or at home. It has an upgraded 5-megapixel camera that can record 625 hi-res photos or 20 minutes of 30fps video to the included 1GB SD card. The 4X, 10X and 40X objectives provide 40X, 100X and 400X optical magnifications, and the digital zoom raises it up to 1600X. On-screen, button controlled settings allow you to easily adjust exposure, image effects, a digital measuring reticle and other visual tweaks. Top and bottom independently adjustable LED illumination and a built-in 6 position filter wheel allow complete light adjustability. Also included are an AC adapter with 3 extra European adapters for those who travel, (5) prepared slides, USB and video out cables and a rigid lined 15" x 7" x 8.5" OA carrying case with a suitcase-handle and shoulder strap, for storage, field work or classroom visits. Carries a 2-year manufacturer's warranty.

The sport of the future? No, cork-lined polystyrene boxes for holding microscope slides, complete with numbered slots and inventory sheets on the lids. The boxes are 8-3/4" x 6-3/4" x 1-1/3" with hinged lids. They are stackable, and you might get them in a variety of colors.

Advanced Student Microscope With extra-sturdy construction, international-standard DIN, fully coated eyepiece and objectives, this is an excellent student microscope. It provides good resolution and centering, and maintains focus when objectives are changed. Stage clips, rack stops, smooth positive mechanical movements, built-in illuminator, coarse and fine focus.

• Magnification: 40X, 100X, 400X, 1000X (oil)

• Objectives: 4X, 10X, 40X, 100X (oil) spring-loaded, parfocal, centered achromatic.

• Eyepiece: 23mm 10X wide field with pointer.

• Illumination: Built-in 5 watt fluorescent, 110V with condensor.

• Stage Size: 120mm x 110mm with locked-in stage spring clips.

• Focusing: Rack and pinion, coarse & fine controls.

• Weight/Height: 8 lbs/14".

• Viewing Angle: 45°

Choose either the 25- or 100-slide selection of 3" x 1" prepared microscope slides from Celestron®, both in sturdy hinged wooden cases. The selections include a wide range of bacteria; plant, animal and human tissue; insect or reptilian specimens; and a list of each of the slides.

A recipe from the Elizabethan Cable Food Network? No, just a couple of samples from our collection of (48) specimens preserved for your classroom examination, with (4) well-labeled specimens on each of (12) standard-size slides. You get animal, plant, insect, textile, and pollen and spore specimens, including camel hair, camellia leaf, plant louse, fruit fly, fern spore, bee wing, nylon, wool, lily pollen, bamboo shoot, goldfish scale, and three dozen more, including our homonymic favorite, hare hair. Grades three and up.

Mini scientists need appropriately sized lab equipment, and, what a coincidence, we have a Mini Duo Scope from My First Lab™ with your kid's name on it. It's two microscopes in one, and won Creative Child Magazine's 2015 Product of the Year Award. Has 40X, 100X and 400X magnification, top and bottom LED illumination, and includes more than (40) pieces and accessories, including brine shrimp eggs and yeast specimens. Ages 8 and up, and requires (2) AA batteries. Today, the Mini Duo. Tomorrow, the Large Hadron? Hey, it could happen.