Proposal

Narrative

A picture says a thousand words. The better the picture, the more it communicates. Often the lack of visualization creates the gap in understanding of various life forms. This proposal requests funds to install an intelligent stereomicroscope in the organismal biology classroom on the Davie campus. This technologically advanced tool will allow professors to lecture, not from static images on power point presentations with pixilation that distort details, but from moving, living specimen magnified and projected for students to experience in real time. We teach four organismal biology courses at present (Invertebrate Zoology, Vascular Plant Anatomy, Freshwater Ecology, and Comparative Vertebrate Morphology) and are aiming to add another (Entomology) in Fall 2018. The number of students impacted by this teaching aid will be at least 100 per year. Anyone who has sat in a biology lab class with an inferior microscope-camera system can testify that the technology is not sufficient for living or larger organisms. The refresh rate is too slow to capture animal movement, and the depth-of-field is too shallow to see the contours of larger specimen. Professors try to use our current system but soon set it aside because it produces frustration rather than holding students’ attention and interest. However, Nikon’s intelligent stereomicroscope combines top-of-the-line optics with the latest imaging technology. It allows for the viewing of specimen up to 35 mm (about 1.5 in) and with serial through-focusing enhances minute details on the image. The software’s refresh rate is fast and smooth, giving the user the ability to capture videos and continue to focus on the specimen even as it moves through the field of view. This technology meets the FAU’s Strategic Plan for the Race to Excellence 2015-2025 by 1. expanding understanding of discovery-based learning tools; 2. meeting undergraduate students’ educational culture; Students are accustomed to high quality visualization. The intelligent stereomicroscope meets these tech-savvy students with high tech and allows them to focus on the study organisms rather than the outdated technology on the instructor’s bench. 3. enhancing individual discovery and quality instruction; The ease of viewing the living organisms allows students to experience the amazement of our world’s weird and wonderful creatures, and personally see magnificent details (of eyes, hairs, wings, mandibles, roots, etc.) that are unimaginable. 4. attracting potential students desiring to achieve a higher standard in STEM; and 5. providing an advanced imaging tool for graduate and undergraduate research projects. A few specific applications of the Nikon intelligent stereomicroscope in our lab courses: 1. Comparative Vertebrate Morphogenesis (ZOO 4690L) – observing fertilization an urchin egg with the sperm and first cleavage of its zygote 2. Vascular Plant Anatomy (BOT 3223L) – relating the structure of trichomes (hairs) on flower petals and leaves to their function 3. Fresh Water Ecology (PCS 4301) – cataloging biodiversity of Protozoans in a pond sample 4. Comparative Animal Physiology (PCS 4723L) – observing plasmolysis in red blood cells 5. Invertebrate Zoology (ZOO 2203L) – as with Entomology and Vascular Plant Lab, this microscope would be used during just about every lab session, from observing the movement patterns of Protozoans to watching the functioning of the suction cups on the underside of starfish.

Facilities

Nikon intelligent stereomicroscopes can be installed on the instructor’s bench without change to the classroom.

Hardware Requirements

The intelligent stereomicroscope will run on our current classroom computer.

Software Requirements

The system comes with its own imaging software and can be installed on the classroom computer.

Personnel Costs

None

Other Costs

None

Timeline

As soon as funds are available, the system can be ordered and installed.

Sustainability

The proven high quality of the Nikon Microscopes assures that the optics and body are likely to last over 15 years. The imaging technology is very advanced and is likely to remain relevant for some time, though software will receive updates from Nikon.

Resource Matching

None

Implementing Organization

Implementing Organization The Department of Biological Sciences will implement the project with the help of the Nikon Representative and Broward OIT.