Review: GeoSafari® MicroPro™ 95-Piece Microscope Set*

As parents, we often suggest to our readers to purchase toys that are STEM-based or which encourage learning through play.  Today, we will share a review geared towards children in middle school or just starting high school, as we showcase the GeoSafari® MicroPro™ 95-Piece Microscope Set from Learning Resources.

The GeoSafari Micropro Microscope Set is a real working science tool that’s ideal for home or perfect in a classroom setting for parents who are home-schooling their children.  The set allows children to turn into young scientists and investigate a whole new world from cells to crystals using this 95-piece microscope set.

What did we think?

The microscope set is a great gift to give a child who is around the age of 8 to 12-years-old (which is perfect as my daughter is almost 11-years-old) as it promotes discovery and independent learning.

The set includes an eyepiece, scalpel, spatula, tweezers, test tube with cap, stirring rod, prepared and blank slides, measuring graduates, spare light bulb, dye, slide covers and most importantly the instruction and activity guide.   The MicroPro also requires two AA batteries (which is not included) for the LED light.

The set does look extensive with lots of things included, so the first thing we did was to read the instruction/activity guide which explained each item.  The microscope is sturdy and feels well made. It was great that there are a few prepared slides, so my daughter could use it immediately.  There are also lots of blank slides and project ideas in the guidebook that she is doing as I write this review. It is quite exciting as she has been looking at all sorts of things from food items, leaves, hair, cloth and even toothbrush bristles.

This microscope set encourages scientific learning in children who are curious about biology, geology and more. This is also a fun activity to do as a family as it is super entertaining. Would totally recommend getting the GeoSafari® MicroPro™ 95-Piece Microscope Set as it is both child-friendly and a real working science tool that’s ideal for home-use.  The microscope set also has a rotating lens which offers a magnification of 50x, 100x, 150x, 300x, and 600x so you can really see the bacteria up close, the built-in LED light also helps with clear images.

FAQs & Things to Note:

1. What can I see with my microscope?
You can see thousands of things that are difficult or impossible to see with your eyes, including tiny plants and animals,  plant and animal cells, the differences between different plants, different papers, different fibers, and hairs from different  people. You can study crystals, rocks, and minerals. The uses for your microscope are practically endless!

2. What is meant by power?
Power is short for “magnifying power,” which is a measure of the seeing ability of your microscope. This microscope has five powers. They are 50X (pronounced “50 times”), 100X, 150X, 300X, and 600X. This means that your microscope can magnify the view of a sample so that it appears 50 times, 100 times, 150 times, 300 times, or 600 times larger than the way you see it with your own eyes.

3. I look through my microscope and all I see is darkness. Why?
Your mirror may not be positioned properly to aim the light up into your microscope or the sample you are looking at could be too thick for the light to shine through it. Try adjusting the mirror or flipping it over to shine the electric light on your specimen. If you still see darkness, try trimming your specimen to be a little bit thinner.

4. All I can see is a partial circle of light. Why?
To see your sample properly, you need to have even light shining up through the slide. If you are using the mirror for light, try gently moving it about while looking through the microscope until you see an evenly lit full circle.

5. I have a very thin sample on my slide, but I can’t see any detail.
First, make sure that the image is in sharp focus by adjusting the focusing knobs. If the problem still exists, add a drop of red or blue dye to the sample. Dyes make hard-to-see objects like plant cells stand right out.

Where can you buy the GeoSafari® MicroPro™ 95-Piece Microscope Set and how much does it cost?

The GeoSafari® MicroPro™ 95-Piece Microscope Set costs £42 and you can purchase it from Learning Resources.

History of the Microscope
During the late Middle Ages (around A.D. 1200 to 1450), the growing demand for eyeglasses led to experimentation with lenses and making small things appear larger. As a result, the first microscope was created, probably in Holland in the late  16th century. The Dutch were master magnifiers.

The first microscopes were operated with only one lens—then the compound microscope was invented in the 1590’s, which used two or more lenses to magnify objects even more. Robert Hooke was one of the most famous people to use a  compound microscope.

During the 1600’s, Hooke observed and recorded the miniscule parts of nature previously unexplored, such as the intricacies of feathers, insects, and even mold.  Hooke also introduced the concept of cells—the smallest independently functioning part of an organism. Today, scientists use microscopes to aid in the world of medicine, help build better and stronger materials for everyday use, and even discover hidden mysteries about ancient cultures and environments.

One of the most powerful scientific instruments is called the scanning electron microscope, or SEM. Instead of magnifying objects using lenses, like this microscope, the SEM focuses a beam of invisible particles called electrons on the
object, and collects the electrons as they bounce back. These electrons are then turned into a black-and-white image on a screen. SEM’s can magnify some small objects as many as 100,000 times—that’s about 50 times more powerful than the strongest ordinary compound microscope.

About Learning Resources

Learning Resources have been helping parents and teachers build generations of amazing kids for over 35 years. From ABCs and 123s to fine motor and STEM skills, our educational toys offer kids the building blocks they need to succeed in school and develop a lifelong love of learning. Discover countless ways to learn through play with our award-winning products.

Learning Resources Inc was founded in 1984 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. 10 years later, in 1994, our learning journey began as Managing Director Dennis Blackmore founded Learning Resources Ltd. Located in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, our purpose was to serve the UK, European markets, the Middle East, Africa and India.

Over many years the company continued to grow and, in 2006, Learning Resources acquired Educational Insights, based in Los Angeles, California.

Their heritage and the trusted relationships they have built over the years are the cornerstones of their success, enabling them to continually evolve as their business continues to grow, meeting the needs of teachers, parents and other mentors.

For over 30 years they have been the leader in educational toys and games, with more than 1,000 products sold in over 80 countries. Our toys are designed to help children build key educational skills… and get ready to take on the world!

You may also want to read this:

Review: Home Learning Games from Learning Resources

Children’s Toy Review: Jumbo Reptiles and Amphibians

Children’s Toy Review: Smart Toss Early Skills Activity Set

* We were sent the set in return for a review. All opinions are our own.