Learn How to Use a Scanning Electron Microscope
- Date
- July 16th
- Time
- 11:00 AM–12:00 PM
- Age
- Ages 4–8
- Cost
- Included with museum admission; free for Daytime members and donors
Exploratorium — Moore Gallery 4 Corridor, Microscope Imaging Station
Pier 15, Embarcadero at Green Street, San Francisco, CA 94111 · Directions
Embarcadero
Families can operate a scanning electron microscope with help from staff biologists and museum facilitators. Available specimens include plants and insects, and visitors may bring a small object that staff can prepare for viewing. The instrument turns electrons reflected from a sample into a detailed black-and-white image, reaching magnifications far beyond those of a typical light microscope.
Capacity is limited, and the program is recommended for families with children ages 4–8. Sessions begin promptly on the hour; late arrivals cannot join. The microscope is on loan from Hitachi through August 2026.