hollyastuart
@hollyastuart.bsky.social
270 followers 390 following 170 posts
Advocate for Equity & Access in STEAM Education • Get kids DOING science • Education Specialist for Foldscope Instruments • I ❤️ all things science and art • Science Is Fun! • #FearlessMicroscopy #FearlessAstronomy
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hollyastuart.bsky.social
Adventures In Microscopy: Desmids!

This sample was gathered at the base of a waterfall I saw while hiking.

Desmids have high degrees of symmetry which remind me of paper snowflakes. Enjoy!

#FearlessMicroscopy #STEAM #Microscopy #ScienceIsBeautiful #Foldscope #ScienceIsFun #EduSky
hollyastuart.bsky.social
Adventures In Microscopy: Marigold Pollen
Each of the pollen grains is covered in tiny little spikes. As always, I love how lighting can change the appearance so much! Enjoy! (#Foldscope 2.0, 340X)
#FearlessMicroscopy #STEAM #GardenMicroscopy #ScienceIsBeautiful
hollyastuart.bsky.social
"w/ the little creatures, nobody really cares [if it is alive or dead.] But I think it makes a difference in how you connect to a creature. There is a subconscious connection between looking eye to eye w/ a creature that is alive vs a creature that is sort of crumpled up." -Anand Varna
hollyastuart.bsky.social
Adventures In Microscopy: Marigold Flower Petals (Part 2)

I put a marigold flower petal on a slide and enjoyed seeing some of the microscopic color variations and textures that are invisible to the naked eye!

#FearlessMicroscopy #STEAM #GardenMicroscopy #ScienceIsBeautiful #EduSky
hollyastuart.bsky.social
Adventures In Microscopy: Marigold Flower Petals

The petals of a marigold are perfect for doing a cast to see the surface features under my #Foldscope 2.0. They may appear smooth, but there is a lot of texture!

#FearlessMicroscopy #STEAM #GardenMicroscopy #ScienceIsBeautiful #EduSky
hollyastuart.bsky.social
Adventures in Microscopy: Marigold Leaves
I made a cast of the leaves (using clear nail polish) to observe the stomata under a #Foldscope 2.0. These little "mouths" that "breathe" for the leaves never cease to amaze me!
#FearlessMicroscopy #STEAM #GardenMicroscopy #ScienceIsCool #EduSky
hollyastuart.bsky.social
Adventures In Microscopy: Light up the Lichen!

Lighting makes a big difference! British Soldier lichen (Cladonia cristatella) w/ brightfield vs reflective lighting under a #Foldscope 2.0 at 50X magnification.

#FearlessMicroscopy #MicroscopyOnTheGo #ScienceIsFun #EduSky
hollyastuart.bsky.social
Adventures In Microscopy: Micro Photo Shoot
Oregano flowers are so tiny that I could put an entire flower under my Foldscope 2.0! Enjoy the micro-still life results! (50X mag)
#FearlessMicroscopy #STEAM #GardenMicroscopy #ScienceIsBeautiful #Foldscope #EduSky
hollyastuart.bsky.social
Adventures In Microscopy: More Insect Eggs!

Eggs on top of a stevia leaf (not worried about detection I guess!). They looked white, but there were actually reddish markings on them! Foldscope 2.0, 50X, darkfield
#FearlessMicroscopy #STEAM #ScienceIsBeautiful #GardenMicroscopy #Foldscope #EduSky
hollyastuart.bsky.social
Adventures In Microscopy: Sea Lettuce

Sample found on the shore of Owen Beach in Tacoma, WA. It looks like a sheet of green plastic wrap in the water, but under my Foldscope 2.0, the cells pop out! 340X + 5X zoom
#FearlessMicroscopy #STEAM #ScienceIsBeautiful #Foldscope #EduSky
Reposted by hollyastuart
teamfoldscope.bsky.social
#Teachers - want to learn how to bring the microscopic world to life for your students and let them experience the thrill of authentic scientific discovery?

Reach out to us at [email protected] or comment below to make it a reality!
#EduSky #ScienceEducation #Microscopy #STEAM #STEM
hollyastuart.bsky.social
6/6 Aquatic Worms
There is so much out there that we don't know about just because we can't see it. I am so proud to be a part of a company that is helping people all around the globe discover and learn about this invisible, mysterious, and beautiful hidden world. #Foldscope
hollyastuart.bsky.social
6/6 Aquatic Worms
There is so much out there that we don't know about just because we can't see it. I am so proud to be a part of a company that is helping people all around the globe discover and learn about this invisible, mysterious, and beautiful hidden world. #Foldscope
hollyastuart.bsky.social
4/6 Ciliates in Pond Water
hollyastuart.bsky.social
Adventures In Microscopy: Pond Water
1/6
More microscopic investigations from my Foldscopin' on the Farm! I saw the pond & couldn't resist grabbing a sample! The amount of life seen in one drop is truly awe inspiring.
#FearlessMicroscopy #STEAM #ScienceIsBeautiful #ScienceIsFun #EduSky
hollyastuart.bsky.social
Adventures In Microscopy: Zinnia Pollen

Foldscopin' on the farm w/ my friend last week! Showed her how easy it is to grab a pollen sample w/ some tape, put it in a Foldscope 2.0, & viola! The beauty of each grain of pollen was revealed!

#FearlessMicroscopy #ScienceIsBeautiful #EduSky
hollyastuart.bsky.social
This was one of the most powerful workshops that I have led. And proof that microscopy and art are a natural fit!
#CreativityRising25 #FearlessMicroscopy #STEAM #ArtsIntegration #EquityAndAccess @artsintegration.bsky.social #Foldscope
teamfoldscope.bsky.social
🎨 New Blog Post: Foldscope Explores – Microscopy and Art 🔬🖌️

What happens when you bring microscopes into the art classroom? At the 2025 Creativity Rising STEAM Conference, educators discovered how Foldscope 2.0 can spark curiosity and creativity.

👉 Read the full post:
foldscope.com/blogs/blog/f...
hollyastuart.bsky.social
This episode inspired me to take out my #Foldscope from @teamfoldscope.bsky.social and study the hyphae of mushrooms currently popping up in my neighborhood! I hope more people realize the importance of fungi and the soil microbiome in the health of our planet!
Reposted by hollyastuart
scifri.bsky.social
“Fungi are the microbiome of plants,” says ecologist Adriana Corrales. Without mycorrhizal fungal networks, plant roots wouldn’t be able to absorb the nutrients they need to thrive. 🍄
‘Underground Atlas’ Shows How Vulnerable Fungal Networks Are
Underground fungal networks are crucial to life on Earth. But a new map shows that less than 10% of fungal hotspots are in protected areas.
buff.ly
hollyastuart.bsky.social
Adventures In Microscopy: Micro Rainbows!

Light completely changes how we see objects. The long hairs of this insect's antenna lack color w/ brightfield lighting, but w/ darkfield a rainbow of color appears!

#FearlessMicroscopy #ScienceIsFun #ScienceIsColorful #Foldscope #EduSky
hollyastuart.bsky.social
Adventures In Microscopy: Echinacea Pollen

Big beautiful flowers, challenging pollen access... but worth it when you see the sparkling (and spiky!) darkfield images! Enjoy!

Foldscope 2.0, 340X lens

#FearlessMicroscopy #STEAM #ScienceIsBeautiful #GardenMicroscopy #Foldscope #EduSky