Introduction: Easy Webcam Microscope

By Eureka! Factory
About: At the Eureka! Factory, we love making things, and thinking about things, and learning about things, and enjoy helping empower others to a curiosity driven life, too, so we can all live and learn in meaningful…

These instructions are for a very simple, webcam microscope for scientific and instructional fun and knowledge. This particular set up will not render super high def images or provide electronmicroscopy. This is a proof of concept DIY display we use at maker and science festivals to give youth and adults an idea of how they can make their own webcam microscope at home. Little kids love it, because it's easy to use and see and on a computer monitor; adults like it because it's not intimidating to do. It's also a fun way to repurpose an old microscope and mash it up with some modern tech. And it uses duct tape. What's not to love?

Step 1: Remove Microscope Eyepiece

On the old '70s era microscope we have (I had said "50s" before, but stand corrected on the microscope vintage! - it's old!), that's a simple matter of loosening the tiny screw and removing the eyepiece. Put the screw(s) in a ziplock so you don't lose it!

Step 2: Remove Webcam Lens

This is a pretty cheap little webcam and the lens just slides out.

Step 3: Attach Webcam to Microscope Eye Piece

Here's where the duct tape comes in. Attach the lensless webcam to the microscope stem where you removed the eyepiece.

Step 4: Attach Webcam

Attach webcam to computer with usb cable. ,

Step 5: -8: Turn It On, and Look at Something!

5. turn on microscope light source,

6. put something under the microscope

7 open webcam viewer and

8. start viewing!

You can take screenshots of your microscope views and use them for science projects, or art, by playing with them in a photo editor. Have fun!