Worlds Cheapest Lens

Is the high cost of science equipment making it hard to set up science lab activities? Then here's the answer. If you can afford a paper clip and a drop of water for each of your pupils, you can set up a magnifier lab.

MATERIALS: Sharp Pencil, A paper clip, water

HOW TO DO IT: Straighten up a paper clip into a straight wire. Bend the center of the paper clip around the pencil point about halfway up. Make up a complete circle.

Dip the wire loop in water. Surface tension will create a water drop inside the loop. The drop will be convex and will act as a tiny magnifier.

If you get the magnifier close to some small printing and your eye close to the magnifier, you will see a magnified image. It will not be as fine an image given by a good lens, but you will see magnification.