Using shadows to build 3D images
In this activity, students model how scientists interpret microscope data by using shadows of an object from different angles to build up a 3D image.
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
describe how they used shadow outlines of an object viewed from different angles to build up a 3D image
explain how this process relates to actual data interpretation when using microscopes and other imaging techniques
describe how 2D representations of 3D objects can be misleading.
Interpreting microscope data
Allan Mitchell (Microscopy Otago) discusses some things to consider when interpreting what you can see using the microscope (particularly the electron microscope). Allan points out that it’s important to know your sample well, so that you understand what you’re viewing. It’s also important to be as objective as possible and avoid any bias in which areas of the sample you concentrate on.
Jargon alert: In this clip, Allan talks about the ‘ultrastructural level’. This is the level of detail that can only be seen using an electron microscope.
Download the Word file (see link below) for:
introduction/background notes
what you need
what to do
discussion questions
extension ideas.
Nature of science
Two tenets of scientific inquiry are the gathering of evidence (data) and the use of logical reasoning to interpret the data.
Activity idea
Students might like to try a second method of building 3D images from 2D data with the activity Using lolly slices to build 3D images.
