Human beings are explorers by nature.  Young children are always eager to know the feel,  taste and  smell  of  the things  they can get their hands into. That’s the reason why babies and  toddlers really need to be closely watched because they might get hurt by their  natural curiosity and urge to explore. The adults have the responsibility to nurture these in born traits.

The mind development of a child is one of the important responsibilities of parents, teachers and elders. Books are one of the tested  and recognized tools but parents and teachers should be aware of other  valuable tools like  a cordless microscope. Through a microscope, a child learns that there are many interesting things to discover if one only looks deeper. Later, an inquisitive mind could be developed, a mind that wants to know  more than what the eyes can immediately see, the mind of a good explorer.

First, what is a cordless microscope? A cordless microscope is just any of the regular types of  portable microscopes that is provided with a built in power source so that it does not have to plug into an electricity supply outlet. For more information about cordless microscopes, visit http://www.cordless-microscope.com.

Here are some features of a cordless microscope that make it an ideal companion for nature trips:

1. Battery powered

This is what makes the microscope really portable and SAFE. The user  need not worry about being away from the electricity supply outlet as long as there are enough back up batteries. There many kinds of rechargeable batteries for the cordless microscope, capable of long hours of continuous use between recharges. Choose the appropriate type for the microscope it is intended to used for. Safety is a very important factor  considering that the user maybe very young to understand the dangers of electricity.

2. Variety of models and accessories

Microscopes are widely used in manufacturing industries that require magnified inspections that they are now mass produced. There is an appropriate model for almost every requirement. If the explorer is a young child going to the park, then, maybe a very light weight monocular model will do. For young adults going on a nature trip to the source of semi precious stones there is an appropriate microscope  model and type of battery

3. Low heat light source

After hours of use, the part of the microscope holding the lamp or bulb becomes too hot to the touch. Cordless microscopes are equipped with LEDs because of its low power consumption and less heat  while giving the required illumination. This is another safety advantage of cordless microscopes.

4. Accessories

With the wide variety of microscope models manufactured , so were the accessories aimed at making them easier to use. Just look at the catalogs, available on line and offline.

a. Digital camera

A very important tool for the recording and reporting of data gathered.  It is difficult to preserve specimen in their natural state for long and the digital camera is very useful in this regard. The digital camera also makes it possible to immediately review the data or information while on site and it is still easy to repeat the experiment or to get more samples.

b. USB Port and Computer Software

Important tools for ease in handling the data and other information gathered during the exploration. The success of any exploration is measured in most cases by the quality and quantity of information gathered.

c. Eyepiece with reticle

A reticle is a graduated piece of glass that is superimposed on the eyepiece. Values are assigned per graduation so that sizes or dimensions of the specimens or objects can be computed. This is a very important tool to be able to measure specimens as is. Some specimens shrink or become bloated  during preservation. While there are more accurate ways of measuring magnified objects, the reticle is the best method for explorations where the more accurate measuring devices are not available.

5. Sturdy, light -weight cases

Young children are sometimes clumsy so this is an important accessories for the protection of the equipment.

It is very important to develop curiosity in a child’s young mind. They should learn to be think  beyond what they can see. This trait can be developed by making them aware that  there are many interesting and valuable things that are so small they are only visible under a microscope. There are libraries so that books, a source of knowledge, can be available to as many people as possible. Couldn’t  cordless microscopes also be made available to school children like books are?