Anglian Microscopy Group Programme 2024 – 2025

In designing the programme we have taken account of the one of the main aims of the group, which is to give a structured introduction to microscopy. However, even experienced microscopists will inevitably gain knowledge and understanding from all of these sessions; a different perspective is always a learning opportunity!

Details of our meetings programme are shown below, meetings start at 10am and will run until approximately 3pm, with a break for lunch from 1pm to 2pm. You’ll need to bring your own lunch but tea and coffee will be available all day.

 

June to December 2024

Saturday 15th June 2024
Pseudoscorpions

A compost safari plus slide making

Saturday 27th July 2024
Pollen slides
Hopefully a demonstration of pollen identification using AI

Saturday 17th August 2024
Bee Legs
Making slides suitable for the BBKA exam

Saturday 21th September 2024
Mites
Talk on the biology of mites and their importance plus slide making

Sunday 20th October 2024
Plankton
Guest speaker Elizabeth Beston – SUNDAY MEETING!

Saturday 16th November 2024
Owl Pellets
Owl pellet dissection and identification of prey species

Saturday 21st December 2024
Christmas  plants
Making slides from Christmas plant sections & pollen

 

2025

Saturday 18th January 2025
Microfossils in chalk
Plus microfossils in general

Saturday 15th February 2025
Blood smears
Making and staining blood smear slides

Saturday 15th March 2025
Phase contrast
Looking at phase contrast and DIC. Plus setting up a microscope etc

Saturday 26th April 2025
East of England meeting
Gossip with demonstrations, exhibits and sales, followed by talks in the afternoon. Now at Crowfield! Sit down lunch available!

Saturday 17th May 2025
Moss safari
Examining the life in moss

Saturday 21st June 2025
Fun with feathers
A ticklish subject… and making large slides

Saturday 26th July 2025
Bee sperm
Making slides for the BBKA exam

Saturday 16th August 2025
Hay infusions/Pond visit
Hay infusions if pond is dry

Saturday 20th September 2025
Plant trichomes
Mounting hairy plant sections

Saturday 18th October 2025
Fungi
Examining fungal structure, making slides of spores

Saturday 15th November 2025
Fibres and fabrics
Under brightfield and polarised light

Saturday 20th December 2025
Gemstones under the microscope
Bring your Christmas jewellery!