19
Jan
 2027
Introduction to Microscope Maintenance and Use All Events
Event Start: 09:30
Event Finish: 17:00

Gain the knowledge and practical skills needed to confidently use, maintain, and care for light microscopes in a school environment.

This hands-on 2-day training course is designed for school technicians, covering correct microscope operation, safe handling, slide preparation, troubleshooting, cleaning, and preventative maintenance.

Participants will learn how to extend the life of microscope equipment, improve image quality, reduce common faults, and support effective classroom teaching through practical workshop activities.

Ideal for secondary school science departments seeking to improve laboratory standards and equipment reliability.

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

  • Identify the parts and functions of a compound light microscope
  • Correctly set up and operate microscopes safely
  • Perform basic maintenance procedures
  • Prepare and observe specimens
  • Use appropriate magnification and illumination
  • Troubleshoot common user issues
Course Date: 19th and 20th January 2027
Closing date: 4th December 2026

Audience

School Technical Support Staff. Access to this unit will be at the discretion of the centre. This unit is designed to provide learners with the knowledge and skills to correctly use and carry out simple maintenance procedures on educational microscopes

Course Leaders

Johnathan Doran and Alan Purves

Johnathan.Doran@sserc.scot

Alan.Purves@sserc.scot

01383 626070

Location

The course will be held at SSERC in Dunfermline. Our SSERC buildings are at 2 Pitreavie Court, Dunfermline, KY11 8UU. SSERC is a short (5-10 minutes) walk from Rosyth railway station and close to the end of the A823(M) spur off Junction 2 of the M90 motorway. Car journey times (approximately): Edinburgh – 30 min; Glasgow – 60 min; Aberdeen – 2.5 hours; Inverness – 3 hours.

£260

Outcome 1

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding related to the routine maintenance of light microscopes.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding related to the proper use of both light and digital school microscopes.

Knowledge and/or Skills

  • Show confidence in the use of both light and digital microscope
  • Identify types of common faults.
  • Show confidence in carrying out adjustment and repair using a variety of hand tools and replacement parts.

Outcome 2

  • Identify and use the correct procedures to prepare stains and samples for simple biological investigations
  • Identify and use the correct procedures to prepare microscope slides in carrying out simple biological investigations.

Knowledge and/or Skills

  • Show confidence in preparing slides to a reasonable standard.
  • Identify which stains could be used.
  • Show competence in safe handling and disposal of equipment being used.
 

 

SSERC is a Company Limited by Guarantee and a registered educational charity.

Headquarters
1-3 Pitreavie Court,
South Pitreavie Business Park,
Dunfermline,
KY11 8UU

☎ 01383 626070

Registered Office
Morton Fraser MacRoberts LLP,
Level 5
9 Haymarket Square
Edinburgh
EH3 8RY

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