Course Description

Ever seen a moss city? What about a plankton party? A microbe bonanza? Discover a world too small for the human eye to see, but full of amazing and interesting life! Students will use microscopes and magnifying techniques to study these fascinating, tiny living organisms. 

Through engaging, hands-on lab activities, collaborative inquiry, and scientific observation, students will explore miniature worlds full of single-celled organisms, amoebas, slime molds, algae, plankton, yeasts, and many more strange and wonderful microscopic organisms! They will collect living samples to examine using microscopes, hand lenses, and other magnifying techniques. Using science notebooks to record their findings, students will investigate the adaptations of these microbes that allow them to survive all over the planet. During our final Microbial Masquerade, families will be invited to join us to celebrate these students’ enormous learning about microscopic worlds.

Essential Questions

  • How do microscopic living organisms survive, eat, breathe, move, and interact with bigger living organisms, including humans?
  • How do scientists use microscopes and magnifying techniques to see and understand tiny organisms and materials?
  • What can the structures of microscopic organisms tell us about how they live and survive?
  • How are microscopic organisms similar to and different from the living things we can see?
  • How do scientists use observations and evidence to make sense of a world they cannot see with their eyes alone?

Weekly Breakdown

Week 1 Portal To A Tiny World

Students take a short walk to explore the biodiversity of UW’s own campus, using hand lenses to conduct an inquiry study of minuscule life in a very small habitat.
Week 2 Microscopic Mysteries

With time running out, students must use microscopes to find clues to solve a puzzle.
Week 3 Minuscule Mixer

What are germs? Is that the same as bacteria? What about viruses? What is algae? Students investigate how microbes, or microscopic organisms, use adaptations to survive all around the world.
Week 4 Moss Safari

Students conduct an investigation of the amazing types of life found within mosses.
Week 5 Single Celled Soiree

Students explore the weird and wonderful world of single-celled organisms, with opportunities to look through the microscope to see yeast, bacteria, algae, and other microbes.
Week 6 Journey to Planet Human

Students explore human cells and tissues to understand how tiny materials can work together to make a human live, move, learn, and play!
Week 7 Molecular Madness

What’s smaller than small? How do scientists study matter, or the stuff everything is made out of? Students will ask big questions about tiny things like molecules and atoms to understand how living things (like humans) use matter to stay alive.
Week 8 BYO Microbe Bash

Students will bring a sample to investigate close-up under the microscope, and check out their classmates’ contributions.
Week 9                                       Microbial Masquerade

Students will conduct a final outdoor sampling inquiry before donning festive, handmade masks honoring their favorite microbes and celebrating their hard work. Families will be invited to learn from their student about some incredible microbial life forms.

Instructor

Other Details

Cost

  • $337.50
    • 9 classes, 50 minute class

Location

Date & Time

  • Saturdays, September 26 - November 21st 2026
  • 11:00am - 11:50am

Refund and Transfer Deadlines

  • Full refund: Two weeks before classes start
  • 50% refund: One week before classes start
  • No refund: Less than one week before classes start