Under the scope: Jedburgh Wool
It’s always exciting to hear about the ingenious ways schools use the scanning electron microscope. Sarah Lambard, a chemistry teacher from Jedburgh Campus on the Scottish Borders, used the opportunity to build some links with the local wool trade. Investigating fibre samples from insulator supplier IndiNature and tartan manufacturer Lochcarron of Scotland, students uncovered the important role that science plays in local industries.
When asked about the experience, Sarah said:
“It’s really difficult for us to take children up to Edinburgh or down to Newcastle to visit museums and exhibitions. Transport costs have just gone up. To think that our little school was worthy of a visit from this microscope was really amazing.
“Students were very impressed that this machine had come to this little school in the Scottish Borders. They took to it like a duck to water.”
Izzy, a student from Jedburgh Campus, said the opportunity to use the SEM changed her views of science.
“Science is more of a creative subject than people give it credit for. I think a lot more people would like science if there was like more interesting opportunities like this instead of just all the written work, because this is what science is like,” said Izzy.