After introducing microscopes to my Grade 10 students with a three-microscope exploration — including the μHandy Lite, a stereo microscope, and a traditional light microscope — I also had the chance to try the μHandy Pro.
Because the μHandy Pro is most comparable to a traditional light microscope, I chose not to include it directly in the original rotation.
Instead, I used it as a natural extension activity over the following days, offering students a chance to dive deeper into microscope work in a modern, tech-integrated way.
The μHandy Pro kept the focus on scientific discovery, but brought a new layer of precision, portability, and engagement — and it ended up fitting nicely into my broader goal of making science feel connected to students’ everyday lives.
What Is the μHandy Pro?
The μHandy Pro is a portable smartphone microscope designed for higher magnification and more formal slide-based exploration.
It works similarly to the μHandy Lite, but with extra features geared toward deeper scientific observation.
It includes:
- A clip-on system for your phone’s main camera
- A high-powered lens
- A slide holder attachment for traditional glass slides
- A sample sticker system for field-collected samples
I watched a curated playlist of short setup videos, found the packaging very straightforward, and had the entire system ready to go in a few minutes.
Once set up, it was mostly intuitive for students, especially those who had the patience to carefully focus and zoom.
How I Used the μHandy Pro in the Classroom
Since my phone was already in use with the μHandy Lite during the main lesson, and since I wanted to emphasize three distinct types of microscopes during the activity, I kept the μHandy Pro as a follow-up exploration.
Here’s how I introduced it:
- I demonstrated how to set up and use the μHandy Pro, showing both the slide holder and sticker system.
- Students were then invited to explore with it during extra class time if they were interested.
It worked perfectly as an open-ended extension for students who were curious and wanted to take their microscope skills further.
Two Ways to Explore with the μHandy Pro
1. Slide Holder Attachment
- Securely holds standard microscope slides.
- Students examined provided sample slides as well as a few we prepared ourselves.
- Compared to a traditional light microscope, moving around the entire field of view felt a little more limited, but focusing became easier once students understood the lighting adjustments.
2. Sample Sticker System
- A fun feature!
- The kit includes sample stickers with a colored contact lens, thread fibres, and plant spines.
- It also provides blank stickers so students can collect their own samples.
These are perfect for flat-ish objects — things like thin leaves, tiny fungi slices, moss, or other field finds.
Classroom Reflections and Tips for Using the μHandy Pro
- Practice lighting adjustments ahead of time:
Small lighting changes make a big difference. Playing with external flashlights or angling the ring light can help you get crisp, clear images. - Start with a few excellent slides:
Give students 3–4 “easy win” slides to build their confidence before they start exploring trickier homemade samples. Once we moved to our own samples, it was a bit hit or miss with getting the sample to focus in just the right spot so it was good to have some reliable options with premade slides. - Use the tripod:
It’s small, but makes a huge difference in stabilizing images and focusing.
Where the μHandy Pro Fits Best
- Microscope extensions in biology units
- Grade 9 ecology field trips — collecting and observing samples outdoors
- Grade 11 nature journaling — recording detailed observations from nature walks
- Open classroom exploration tools — available for students to use during inquiry-based learning or independent work
Final Thoughts
The μHandy Pro offers a powerful, flexible way to bring traditional microscope work into the modern classroom.
It blends authentic scientific skills — like slide work, measurement, and documentation — with the tech habits students already love.
Whether you’re exploring nature samples outdoors, supplementing a biology unit, or simply offering students more tools for curiosity-driven discovery, the μHandy Pro is a smart, accessible addition to any science classroom.
(If you’re curious about how I first introduced microscopes using the μHandy Lite and built excitement with students, you can read about that lesson here!
