• Microscope: QX5: go to http://www.playdigitalblue.com/digital_blue/qx5.html
  
• I would recommend purchasing the QX5 microscope directly from Digital Blue.  They will (or at least used to) offer a 20% education discount if a 50 microscopes are purchased for a school for school district.  However, other distributers also sell the QX5.  QX5 microscopes, both new and used, also can be found on Ebay.  I would recommend purchasing the QX5 over the earlier version.

Software:

• The QX5 microscope is sold with software that will operate on a PC.
• If you are using a Macintosh, I would recommend purchasing software from EdH Software, LLC, http://www.edhsw.com/.  There are two versions of the software: miXscope and the QXScope, both of which are very good. The miXscope has several more features, is ~$5 more expensive, and has a different graphic user interface than the QXScope.  Although I like miXscope and have used this in the classroom, the QXScope software is somewhat simpler and probably the better choice for elementary school kids.  If you want add features, including measurement tools, then go with miXscope.  See section on how to use the software.
• Comparison of features of miXscope and QXScope.

• QX5 comes with some basic supplies- chambers for observing insects, some plastic “eye droppers” and tweezers, and a sample slide of specimens

• Small LED flashlights: These are useful for enchancing illumination on the QX5 (as described in the powerpoint “How to use QX5 microscope”. Generally available from hardware stores, and many models will work fine. I got 5 ~3 inch 9 LED flashlights by Garrity for $20 from Costco. You can buy one for ~$8 from Amazon.com
  http://www.amazon.com/9LED-L-Life-Flashlight/dp/B000FCGT4O/sr=8-2/qid=1168706906/ref=pd_bbs_2/002-2142540-0075235?ie=UTF8&s=hi

• Invertebrates

Brown Planarians Cat. #13-2954 $7 per culture
https://www2.carolina.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?jdeAddressId=&catalogId=10101&storeId=10151&productId=1614&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=83|1009|575


Simple planarian regeneration kit. Cat. 13-2905 $34.95
https://www2.carolina.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?jdeAddressId=&catalogId=10101&storeId=10151&productId=1610&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=83|1009|575


Mixed culture: A separate culture of hydra, planaria, and Daphnia and a pad of 30 Bioreview® Sheets for each. With instructions for culturing each form. Cat/ #13-2590
https://www2.carolina.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?jdeAddressId=&catalogId=10101&storeId=10151&productId=1603&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=83|1009|575


Planaslo quieting solution Slows planarians (not necessary) #88-2001
https://www2.carolina.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?jdeAddressId=&catalogId=10101&storeId=10151&productId=1622&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=83|1009|575


If you want to keep cultures of planarians or other organisms alive, then you will need to get Carolina Spring Water which is free of tap water contaminants that might kill these organisms
Spring Water Cat. 13-2450 $5.70 for 1 gal.
https://www2.carolina.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?jdeAddressId=&catalogId=10101&storeId=10151&productId=3667&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=&crumbs=n


Fruit Flies: Exploring Mutant Organisms Kit Cat# 21-1340 $53.50
This kit meets many of the National Science Education Standards in life science. Introduce students to the concepts of genes, mutation, and how the genetic sequence (genotype) affects the observable trait (phenotype) in living organisms. Using magnification, students observe the variations in phenotypes as a result of mutation in a variety of Drosophila. Also includes a comprehensive teacher’s manual with reproducible student worksheets, background information, lesson instructions, follow-up activities, and a glossary. Designed for 32 students.
https://www2.carolina.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?jdeAddressId=&catalogId=10101&storeId=10151&productId=46133&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=&crumbs=n


Vinegar Eels Cat. 13-3266 $6.25
https://www2.carolina.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?jdeAddressId=&catalogId=10101&storeId=10151&productId=1630&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=&crumbs=n

• Cells

Amoeba proteus, vitachrome stained. My favorite.
Cat. 13-1308 $7/culture
https://www2.carolina.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?jdeAddressId=&catalogId=10101&storeId=10151&productId=46283&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=&crumbs=n

Pond Mystery Mix Cat. 13-2010A
Add Carolina spring water (see invertebrate supplies) and this dried material will come to life.
https://www2.carolina.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?jdeAddressId=&catalogId=10101&storeId=10151&productId=48763&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=&crumbs=n

Stains for Cells: A kit with several dyes for staining cells. Be cautious in use and may not be appropriate for use by elementary school kids (or use careful supervision).
Cat. #89-2261 $58
https://www2.carolina.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?jdeAddressId=&catalogId=10101&storeId=10151&productId=38047&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=&crumbs=n

• Optics

Edmund Scientific (http://scientificsonline.com/) is a good supplier of many interesting supplies for kids.

Bag of lens (Cat. 3082272): Lots of cheap lens for ~$10 to show kids how lens work. Don’t have to worry about kids hurting them. They are already chipped or scratched, so let them have fun.
http://scientificsonline.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_3082272

Demonstration lens: Cat 3040414, ~$10
http://scientificsonline.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_3040414_A_cmc_E_CROSS_SELL_A_Demonstration+Lenses

Optical bench – more appropriate for junior high. A little clunky, so needs some teacher supervision to demonstrate. Good for demonstrating focal length, image formation. : Cat. 3111200, $60
http://scientificsonline.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_3111200

2"x2", 20 Piece Sheet Polarizers ($29.95): Useful for looking at crystals. Cat. 3041168
http://scientificsonline.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_3071939

Optics Kit, Economy. I have not tried this, but looks like it has a good set of basic experiments. Cat. 3098900 , ~$25
http://scientificsonline.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_3098900_A_cmc_E_CROSS_SELL_A_Econo