posted on October 18, 2001 05:00:02 AM new
Good morning all!
Anyone out there know anything about microscopes? My oldest daughter is about to turn "sweet sixteen", (sigh, I feel SO old )! When we asked her what she wanted for her b-day she said $s...I thought "Alright, I'm getting off easy"...but then she changed her mind. She wants a microscope. I know zilch about them. I don't want to get her a cheapie toy one...but then again I don't have big bucks to spend either, hoping to find one for less than $100. Can someone point me in the right direction? Any info would be greatly appreciated!
posted on October 18, 2001 05:17:53 AM new
There are quite a few different types of microscopes. You should find out what she plans on using it for and than you will know if you need a single or a binocular scope what kind of a stage and lighting...
You might look at a company like Edmund Scientific - but if you want a deal search eBay and you will find all kinds and support equipment.
posted on October 18, 2001 05:32:39 AM new
Hi gravid! Thank you!
She wants to be a forensic pathologist(sp?) when she "grows up". She's in 10th grade and all of her electives are medical classes, so I would like to get her a good one. I've looked on Ebay....but I have no idea what I'm looking for. I'll check out the company you mentioned.
posted on October 18, 2001 06:51:53 AM new
Sally, Check with your nearest medical school. We got a medical lab quality one used from an exiting medical student.
posted on October 18, 2001 07:33:53 AM new
JT's idea is great, and remind her not to keep body parts in her room. My mother had trouble with me keeping explosives and radioisotopes in my room at that age.
Nice to see a girl pursuing something outside the gender stereotypes. Definatly not an career for the dainty fainting sort.
posted on October 18, 2001 07:56:55 AM new
Thanks for the idea jt!
gravid..body parts? LOL Now explosives I would be concerned about! She's super smart, Honor classes, all "A"s.....but she sometimes lacks common sense! I can just see that now.."hmmm, let's see what happens when I mix this green stuff with this blue stuff". Luckily she hasn't asked for a chemistry set....yet.
posted on October 18, 2001 08:09:33 AM new
Sally, In case you missed this in the homeschool thread, there is some really phat science stuff here:
http://www.highschoolhub.org/hub/hub.cfm
posted on October 18, 2001 08:22:35 AM new
Cool jt..totally phat site..fershure! Thanks..gonna show it to the youngin when she gets home.
gravid-I checked out the Edmund Scientific site, thank you. Would 40x be high enough for someone starting out? Or should I spend a little more and get something that goes higher?
posted on October 18, 2001 08:32:53 AM new
jt...I checked in on the homeschool thread and favorite placed all the sites you mentioned! My youngest daughter has been labeled educationably mentally handicapped, (IQ of 75) and I have been looking for fun, (educational), things for her to do. Thank you for sharing!
posted on October 18, 2001 10:25:43 AM new
Sorry to derail this thread!
saljo,
Did you have your child independently tested?
After what I have experienced this year within my school system, I wouldn't trust anything the so called educators have to say to me anymore.
Sorry if I have offended any teachers here. It wasn't my intent at all. I'm just boiling mad that kidlet wasted the first quarter of the school year because I let his teacher tell me what was best.[mad]
edited for typo.
[ edited by toollady on Oct 18, 2001 10:26 AM ]
posted on October 18, 2001 11:14:39 AM new
nyrocker, thanks for the high five!
toollady, I haven't had her independently tested. She's been tested twice, once in NY after kindergarten, then again here (NC) during her second year of 2nd grade. But I know exactly what you mean when you say your boiling mad! When Dk entered kindergarten in NY we had just moved there...I thought everything was going along fine. The teacher didn't say a thing to me, until the 1st quarter was almost over. And even then it was more along the lines of "Oh, by the way....". The psychologist(sp?) that tested her in NY recommended she repeat kindergarten, but I said NO...because it was only 2 hours long and they attempted to cram way too much in those 2 hours. So she went on to first grade, which was all day. And I'm glad..because she actually started to learn and had a terrific teacher! When we got back here to NC, (my husband was in the military, that's why we were in NY), I told the Assistant Principal I wanted her to repeat the 1st grade. She said no, (unfortunately I didn't have her records), let's see how it goes in 2nd. Needless to say, by mid year the Assistant Principal agreed with me and said she should have placed her back in 1st. So Dk ended up repeating 2nd grade...they never do listen to us parents!
Now she's in 3rd and the stakes are higher. My heartbreaks for her because she tries so hard! But since she's been tested and "labeled" she gets the extra help she needs. So as long as I can keep her spirits up....hopefully...things will work out.
toollady, have you spoken to your school principal about the gifted programs?
Sorry this was so long..I got started and couldn't stop! LOL
posted on October 18, 2001 07:25:47 PM new
Howdy neighbor! (toollady)
I'm in Fayetteville...otherwise known as Fayette-Nam, . You're near a Marine base aren't you? I have friends in Jacksonville, husbands in the Navy, but stationed with the Marines.
Ok, if I were to have her independently tested...who would I contact? A pediatrician, a psychologist?
posted on October 18, 2001 08:23:46 PM new
Hey Sally!
Well not quite a neighbor, but close enough for gov't work!
I would start with the pediatrician. If you don't get anywhere with them, contact the county dept of health and see if they can help you. Since we are talking about a school age child, they will probably make you get a referral from the school because the school system is responsible for any costs.
Keep pushing the issue. Don't take no for an answer. The school systems are required to map out an individualized learning plan for any student who has special academic needs, whether they are remedial or academically gifted.
The key is to keep making noise. Sooner or later(hopefully sooner) the school system will listen and start helping.
posted on October 19, 2001 02:04:11 PM new
Hi toollady,
Dk does have an individual learning plan. In fact I meet with the school psychologist, speech teacher, etc...next month.
I guess I have egg on my face, LOL. I apologize for the confusion. I suppose I keep hoping someone will find a "cure", a smart pill? Something that would help her little mind absorb information. Not because she's not perfect just the way she is...but because it's so heartbreaking when she realizes her friends/classmates are passing her by. She tries so hard!
)! When we asked her what she wanted for her b-day she said $s...I thought "Alright, I'm getting off easy"...but then she changed her mind. She wants a microscope. I know zilch about them. I don't want to get her a cheapie toy one...but then again I don't have big bucks to spend either, hoping to find one for less than $100. Can someone point me in the right direction? Any info would be greatly appreciated!
Big smile here! And nice to see a parent ENCOURAGING that!! Saljo, a big high five to you!!!
Rocker 
[ edited by toollady on Oct 18, 2001 10:26 AM ]