AmScope IQ CREW Early Explorer Series User manual

52+ Piece
MICROSCOPE SET
®
Early Explorer Series
SCIENCE • TECHNOLOGY • ENGINEERING • MATH

EXPLORE… LEARN… GROW!
8+
AGES
WARNING - CHOKING HAZARD
Small parts. Not for children under
three (3) years. Adult Supervision
required.
M30-ABS-KT2
USER GUIDE
Comes in Black & White Colors
amscope.com/iqcrew

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WARNING - CHOKING HAZARD
Small parts. Not for childr en under
three (3) years. Adult Sup ervision
required.
Safety Information
This microscope kit has tools with sharp points or edges, including a microtome
and a pick. Please use this product very carefully, children must be under adult
supervision. This microscope set contains chemicals that may be harmful if
misused. Please read all the warnings and cautions in the instruction manual and
on individual containers carefully. Do not allow the chemicals to come into contact
with any part of the body, especially the mouth and eyes. Keep small children and
animals away from experiments. As the microscope kit also has instruments with
sharp edges and points, eye protection is strongly recommended.
WARNING- BATTERY SAFETY INFORMATION
‣ Battery installation and removal should be performed by an adult.
‣ Follow battery use as recommended in this instruction manual.
CAUTION:
The following chemicals in this package could be harmful if misused:
• Eosin Biological Dye
• Gum Media
• Blue Dye
• Dry Yeast
Avoid eye and skin contact. Do not swallow. Do not inhale. May cause irritation. In
case of accident, call a doctor. Keep away from young children.
SAFETY INFORMATION
a) Glass slides and slide covers are very delicate. Please handle with care.
b) The incorrect use of chemicals can cause injury and damage to one’s health. Use
only the slide preparations listed in the instructions.
c) Because children’s abilities vary, even within age groups, supervising adults
should exercise discretion regarding which slide preparations are suitable and safe
for children. The instructions should aid adults in assessing slide preparations to
discern their suitability for each child.
d) Supervising adults should discuss the warnings and safety information with the
child before commencing the preparation of slides. Pay particular attention to the
safe handling of chemicals (if used).
e) Your slide preparation space should be kept clean, clear and away from any food
storage areas.

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The IQCrew brand offers a range of microscopes and accessories to drive
the curiosity of the budding scientist:
• Compound Microscope: view specimens under high magnication where light
is transmitted through the specimen.
• Stereo Microscope: view specimens under low magnication where light is
reected from the surface of the specimen.
• Inverted Microscope: view specimens in petri dishes as light is directed from
top of specimen while objective is at the bottom.
• Digital Microscope: connect via USB to see the specimen on computer or phone
and capture live images.
• Experiments and accessories supplementing the microscopes to continue
learning.
See our full line of products at www.amscope.com/iqcrew
IQCrew M30 User Guide
1. Introduction
IQCrew’s Science Discovery Series is designed to inspire kids to learn more
about science. Microscopes are important tools which help children understand
science and nature by allowing them to peek into the microscopic world, which is
why they are a standard component of STEM curricula. Biology, chemistry, geology,
and many more elds rely on microscopes to understand how things work.
SCIENCE |TECHNOLOGY |ENGINEERING |MATH
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Let’s Begin!
To get things started, this complete kit includes some prepared slides for viewing
right out of the box. It also includes materials to prepare your own samples, like
a Petri dish and blank slides. There is a graduated cylinder for measuring and a
pipette for easily transfering liquid samples. Forceps, a probe, and a stirring rod are
also included for preparing and positioning specimens.
Carefully lift the microscope from the box using two hands. Place one hand
around the microscope arm and the other under the base. For best results, use the
microscope on at, sturdy surfaces. Install 1 coin cell battery (included) as shown
on page 5 in this guide. Always be mindful of your mirror and light source. The more
light that is reected or transmitted through the hole in the stage, the brighter and
sharper the images will appear in the microscope eyepiece.

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NAME USAGE
Body The main body of a microscope, connecting parts of a
microscope
Eyepiece The lens you look through. Further magnies specimens
Stage Where specimens are placed for viewing
Stage Clips Used to prevent specimen from moving
Illuminator A source of light which illuminates the specimen
Filter Holder Holds optional lters used to change the color or quality
of light
Lamp Housing Contains the light-source, including the LED bulb
Arm Connects the illuminator to the body
Objective turret (nose piece) Holds the objective lenses, and rotates to switch
between lenses
Brightness control knob Switches the illuminator on and off, and adjusts the
brightness
Focusing knob Adjusts the height of the objective turret to focus on the
specimen
Battery compartment lid Covers the battery compartment, where a coin cell
battery can be installed
Battery compartment screw Secures the battery compartment lid
M30-ABS-KT2 - Parts Names and Applications
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Microscope Features
• Focus Knob: moves the specimen up or down making the image clear and
sharp. Use the focus knob to raise or lower the lens until the image you see is
clear and sharp.
• The Body Tube: Connected to the eyepiece and helps focus the lenses.
• Eyepieces: The two eyepieces have 8X and 20X magnications. Remove the
dust cover from the eyepiece and put it aside in a safe place.
• Power Indicator/ Objective turret: The turret has 3 lenses or objectives: 15 X,
30 X, and 60 X (See Fig. 3.1). The shorter the objective, the lower the power
or magnication. The longest objective is the highest power. To calculate the
magnication you are using, multiply the value of the objective by the power of
the eyepiece (Note that the power indicator on the turret makes this calculation
for you). For example, turn the power indicator to the longest objective (60 X
and multiply it by the power of your xed eyepiece (20X).
• The Stage: A at platform with a hole in the center allows reected light off the
mirror or light source to enter the microscope.
• Stage Clips: The 2 stage clips hold the glass slide rmly on the stage.
• Mirror/Light Source: While holding the base down, pull on the arm to tip the
microscope back. Examine the mirror and light source located below the stage
to see how you can adjust them, and choose one or the other. The light source
turns on automatically when tipped upwards toward the stage. The mirror
gathers and reects light into the microscope.
• Base/Battery Compartment: The battery compartment is located inside the
mirror/light source. Slightly ex the C-clamp arm connected to the microscope
to remove the mirror/light source from the microscope. Using a Philips head
screwdriver (not included), remove the battery door. Slide the battery sleeve
out of the compartment. Insert the included coin cell battery with the positive
(+) pole facing the sleeve. Slide the battery and sleeve into the battery
compartment until it makes contact with the battery leads. Test the battery
installation by pressing the on/off button on the side of the mirror/light source.
Replace the battery door and tighten the screw. Reinstall the mirror/light source
into the c-clamp located on the microscope.
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EYEPIECE |OBJECTIVE LENS 8X 20X
15x 120x 300x
30x 240x 600x
60x 480x 1200x
Available Magnication Options

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• Color Filter and Aperture Wheel: The color lters are incorporated in the stage.
Use these lters to add color to enhance the image of certain specimens.
1. Installing Batteries in the Microscope
Remove the battery cover on the mirror/light source and install coin cell battery
(included in the kit). Make sure to follow the diagram on the inside of the battery
compartment to ensure that battery is installed in the correct direction. Once
installed replace the battery cover on the mirror/light source.
2. Adjust the focus
I. Rotate the focus knob and raise the body tube as far as it will go. Turn the turret
to the shortest objective (the power indicator will read 1OOx).
2. Put one of the prepared glass slides under the
stage clips and position the prepared specimen
over the hole in the stage.
3. Rotate the focus knob to lower the body tube
as far as it will go.
4. Look through the eyepiece and slowly turn the
focus knob until the specimen can be seen in focus.
5. Observe what happens when you slowly move
the light source or the mirror. Adjust the mirror
or light source to provide the amount of light
that gives
you the best image.
6. Look in the eyepiece and observe what
happens to the image when you move the slide
to the left and then to the right.
7. If you wish to increase magnication, rotate
the objective turret to a higher power and
refocus. Practice rotating the turret to change
magnication.
2.1 Using lters
Locate the color lter located at the front of the stage. Rotate the lter to
change lter colors. Observe how the color lter affects your view of the prepared
slide. Next, take a blank slide and place a few grains of salt or sugar on it. Rotate
the lter and see how the ltered light enhances the image of the salt or sugar.
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Tip: The color lter will be most useful when looking at clear or dim specimens.
CAUTION: To prevent the wires attached to the light from breaking, never rotate the light source a
full 360°. Be careful as you turn the focus knob so that the objective lens does not make contact
with a slide or the stage. This may cause damage to the slide and also to the objective lens.

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Your First Experiment!
Now that you've studied the features of your microscope, its time to take it out for
a test drive and try out a simple observing exercise.
Prepare your own slides.
NOTE: When preparing slides you want to use the thinnest possible sample. Have
an adult use a razor blade or sharp knife to cut slices for you to try. DO NOT CUT
SPECIMENS WITHOUT ADULT SUPERVISION.
Wet Mount Slides
The most common way to prepare a specimen is with a "wet mount", and here's
how you do it:
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1. Place a specimen on the slide. Using a pipette, place a drop of water on the
specimen.
2. Then place one edge of the cover slip over the specimen and carefully lower the
cover slip into place using a toothpick or equivalent. This method will help prevent
air bubbles from being trapped under the cover slip.
3. Your objective is to have sufcient water to ll space between cover slip and
slide. If there is too much water, thecover slip will slide around. Take a piece of
paper towel and hold it close to one edge of the cover slip. This will draw out some
water. If too dry, add a drop of water beside the cover slip. Practice this until you
get used to it.

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Dry Mount Slides
The procedure for making dry mount slides is much the same as for wet mounts.
The highest magnication
is not always the best for
every specimen!
TIP:
It is recommended that you begin
viewing at the lowest magnication
or power and focus the object.
Once the image is focused, increase
magnication by turning the
objective turret and refocus
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Recommended Specimens to look at with wet mount slides
• Plant material, like leaves, onion skin, ower petals
• Mold spores from bread, cheese or fruit
• Fibers like thread or yarn
1. Select a clean slide. Make sure it is free of dirt & smudges
2. Inspect the specimen to determine if it needs to be sliced. (Try to use a translucent
to transparent specimen for light to pass through it)
3. Place the sample specimen on the slide using tweezers or toothpick - just enough
to t under a cover slip.
4. Carefully place a cover slip over your specimen to atten it out. There is no need
to worry about air bubbles, so you can just drop the cover slip onto the specimen.
Recommended Specimens to look at with dry mount slides
• Hair, fur or feathers
• Small insects or insect body parts
• Buttery or moth wings
• Cloth
• Printed Material

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Observing Cheek Cells
Recommended Supplies
• Paper towel, napkin or tissue
• Glass microscope slides
• Plastic cover slips (round or square)
• Plastic pipette or dropper
• Clean toothpick or sterile cotton swab
• Blue dye solution (mix approximately 1 part blue dye with 4 parts of water)
• Disposable gloves
1. Take clean toothpick or
sterile cotton swab and
gently scrape your cheek
from inside your mouth
2. Take the toothpick or
cotton swab and smear
the cheek cells on to the
center of a microscope
slide for 1 to 3 seconds
3. Using the blue dye
solution, add one drop on
to the microscope slide.
4. Place a coverslip slowly
onto the specimen so that
it stays in place.
6. Place the slide with the
new specimen on your
microscope. Adjust the
placement of the slide
until you nd cells. .
5. Remove any excess
solution from the
microscope slide by
allowing the paper napkin
or towel to touch one side
of the coverslip
Note: Avoid eye and skin contact. Do not swallow. Do not inhale. May cause irritation. In case of
accident, call a doctor. Keep away from young children.

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Experimenting with Yeast:
Recommended Supplies
• Dry Yeast
• Water (cold and warm)
• 2 Teaspoons White Sugar
• 3 Clear Glass Cups
• 3 Small Containers (Glass cups should t inside container)
• 3 Labels or Sheets of paper and one pencil
Run the experiment
1. Fill each of the three containers with at least 2 inches of cold water
2. Label each glass cup with its own number: 1, 2 and 3
3. Place one glass cup in each of the three containers
4. In glass 1, mix one teaspoon of yeast, ¼ cup of warm water, and 2 teaspoons of
sugar.
5. In glass 2, mix one teaspoon of yeast with ¼ cup of warm water.
6. In glass 3, place one teaspoon of yeast in the glass.
7. Observe each of the glasses. What do you see? Why do you think each glass is
different from the other?
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Make Your Own Slides
It's so easy to make slides that the variety of slides you can create will be limited
only by your own imagination.
A section of almost any material can be placed on a slide and observed with a
microscope. All you need is the proper equipment and a little patience, and you'll
be making slides in no time. Everything you need for the following experiments can
be found in this kit or around your home (make sure to ask a parent rst before you
borrow any items, such as the measuring cup).
NOTE:
In order to stain a slide, you will need to prepare the Eosin Dye: Without opening the container, look
closely at the container marked "Eosin Dye". You'II notice a few grains of 'dust' at the bottom of the
container. These are the grains of Eosin. Remove the container's lid and ll the container with water.
Gently stir the mixture, you have now prepared Eosin Dye for use.
Onion Skin Cell Experiment:
Tissue from an onion is a good rst exercise in using the microscope and viewing
plant cells. The cells are easily visible under a microscope and the preparation of
a thin section is straight forward. An onion is made of layers, each separated by a
thin skin or membrane.
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1. First, place a small drop
of water on a microscope
slide. This is to hold the
onion skin and to keep it
from drying out.
2. With adult supervision,
take a small piece of onion
and using tweezers, peel
off the membrane from the
underside (the rough side).
3. Using tweezers, place the
onion skin membrane at
onto the drop of water on
the slide.
4. Using your dropper, add a
drop of Eosin dye provided
with this kit on top of the
onion on the slide. This
will help you see the cell
structure better.
6. Observe the slide under
your microscope. What do
you see? Can you spot the
four parts?
5.Place one edge of the
cover slip over the onion and
dye. Carefully lower it into
place using a toothpick or
tweezers. This helps prevent
air bubbles from getting
trapped under the cover slip.

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S/N PROBLEM CAUSE SOLUTIONS
1Light source of
microscope is dim
No battery installed or
battery is dead.
Install one coin cell battery
in the battery compartment
2
Light source is
bright but the
image is not, or
the light is not
uniform
The objective lens is not
properly aligned
Rotate objective turret (9)
until it clicks in place.
3The image is
blurry
The focus is not correctly
set.
Follow the instructions to
properly focus. (Refer Pg 5)
4
The specimen
cannot be focused
and the entire
focus range has
been used
The specimen is too
thick, or liquid is too high.
Try a thinner specimen
sample or less liquid.
Microscope Best Practices
The microscope should be used in a dry
environment. Do not use the microscope outside
in wet conditions as water can damage the light-
source or contaminate the optical system. Always
turn off the illuminator when the microscope is not
being used.
When storing the microscope, remove the batteries to prevent corrosion.
Always remove slides from the stage before putting the microscope away. Do
not use anything except lens cleaning tissue to clean the lenses. Always carry the
microscope with two hands - one around its arm and one under the base. Keep
the microscope in a cool, dry, dust-free place. Use
a dust-cover to prevent dust and humidity from
entering the microscope.
Make a Record of Your Experiments
Begin to start thinking like a scientist as you perform
your experiments. Observe carefully and make
records of your experiments (make sure you date
them). Record the types of specimens you observe;
their colors, shapes and patterns; how they look through each objective; how you
prepare your slides; what tools you use; how different specimens compare with
each other; and so forth.
Troubleshooting
If you are experiencing difculty with your microscope, try these troubleshooting
techniques:
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Date
of slide:
Name
of sample:
Collected from:
Stain:
Mount:
Lighting:
Observations
Sketches
120x magnification
480x magnification Other: _____________
240x magnification
NOTES
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Date
of slide:
Name
of sample:
Collected from:
Stain:
Mount:
Lighting:
Observations
Sketches
120x magnification
480x magnification Other: _____________
240x magnification
NOTES
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Questions? We are here to help!
Visit: amscope.com/iqcrew | or email: [email protected]
Additional Products (can be purchased separately)
‣ Explore the world of microscopes with
our best selling book.
‣ Promote early learning
with our “Microscopic
Adventures” experiment
cards.
IQCREW-M30-UG-0722
52+ Piece
MICROSCOPE SET
EXPLORE… LEARN… GROW!
®
Early Explorer Series