Virginia Technology and Engineering Education Association

Designing and Fabricating Open-Source Digital Microscopes

Debra Shapiro, Glen Bull, & Jo Watts

Wednesday, at 8:45 a.m. on July 23, 2025
Room J, Hilton Doubletree, Williamsburg, Virginia

Open-Source hardware refers to designs for hardware that are free to replicate, modify, and distribute. ITEEA is collaborating with its peer associations affiliated with the National Technology Leadership Society (NTLS) to extend use of open hardware to schools. In this workshop, participants will have the opportunity to learn how to fabricate and program a 3D-printed computer-controlled microscope. Due to the limited number of workstations, hands-on participation in the workshop is limited to 12 participants. Everyone is welcome to observe, however (within the limits of room capacity).

Workshop Activities

8:45 Demonstration of Computer-controlled Microscope
9:15 Controlling a Microcontroller with Snap!

Setting Digital Pins
Reading Digital Pins
Controlling a Servo Motor

9:45 Break

10:00 Introduction to Foldscope Microscope
10:30 Fabricating 3D-printed Microscopes

Resources and Materials

Guides to Hands-on Activities

Workshop Documentation

Computer Programs

Controlling Sensors and Motor with Snap!
MicroBlocks Communications (Snap! login required)

CAD Files for 3D-Printed Microscope

Watts, J. & Bull, G. (2025). NTLS Microscope [Educational Object]. Educational CAD Model Library. Published March 13, 2025. NTLS Coalition. doi:10.18130/V3/ZNR96G

Preprint of Article Scheduled to Be Published in Technology & Engineering Educator

Shapiro, D., Watts, J., Bull, G., and Nguyen, N.R. (In press). The NTLS Microscope Prototyping System. Teacher and Engineering Educator.