Foldscope Training in Schools in Rural India
Foldscope Education in Rural India: Enabling Discovery Through Affordable Microscopy
Invented by Dr. Manu Prakash at Stanford University
Myself teaching students how to use the microscope
From left to right: Ben Foster, Mario Garcia, Ivana Llobet
Duration of the project: 1 month
Team members: Dr. Manu Prakash, Mario Garcia, Ben Foster
Problem
Children in rural India lack access to microscopes because they are expensive and unavailable in many schools.
Foldscopes
Invented by Dr. Manu Prakash at Stanford University, the Foldscope is an ultra-affordable, paper-based microscope designed to make science accessible and portable.
Features:
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Affordable: Costs less than $1 to produce.
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Portable: Made from durable, lightweight materials like cardstock and can be folded to fit in a pocket.
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Powerful Optics: Offers magnification up to 140x and a resolution of 2 microns, sufficient to view microorganisms like bacteria, blood cells, and plankton.
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Durable: Water-resistant and can withstand rough handling, making it ideal for fieldwork and education.
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Simple Assembly: Comes as a flat-pack kit that users fold into a functional microscope in minutes.
My Contribution
During the summer, I traveled to rural India to teach students and teachers how to use Foldscopes. These workshops empowered participants to explore the microscopic world, inspiring curiosity and hands-on learning in science.