SavedAdd your journal

Journals / Journal of Sustainable Education Studies / 2026 / Cilt: 7

An Innovative Educational Tool in Science Education: The Foldscope Microscope

Fen Eğitiminde Yenilikçi Bir Eğitim Aracı: Foldscope Mikroskobu

Sibel Külekçi(MARMARA ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0009-0004-0869-4112
Hatice Kimyon(MARMARA ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-3172-7443
Ekrem Yıldırım(NİŞANTAŞI ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0009-0001-5936-9043
Pages
—
Publication Date
2026-10-12
DOI
—
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

In this context, it was concluded that Foldscope can play a role in supporting scientific observation and science literacy in both school and out-of-school learning environments.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study examines the general characteristics, technical structure, and potential applications in various fields of Foldscope, a low-cost and portable paper microscope.
📊
Key Findings & Data:The findings show that Foldscope is an effective tool that increases accessibility, particularly in science education, in line with the “frugal science” approach.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:In this context, it was concluded that Foldscope can play a role in supporting scientific observation and science literacy in both school and out-of-school learning environments.
🔬Design:Derleme
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Fen eğitimi · Foldscope · Mikroskop

Abstract

This study examines the general characteristics, technical structure, and potential applications in various fields of Foldscope, a low-cost and portable paper microscope. The study explores Foldscope's design features, magnification capacity, and ease of use, and discusses its potential applications in various disciplines, primarily science, education, and health. Furthermore, the dissemination process of Foldscope has been evaluated through projects, science fairs, and education-based applications carried out in Turkey in recent years. The findings show that Foldscope is an effective tool that increases accessibility, particularly in science education, in line with the “frugal science” approach. In this context, it was concluded that Foldscope can play a role in supporting scientific observation and science literacy in both school and out-of-school learning environments.

Özet

Bu çalışmada, düşük maliyetli ve taşınabilir bir kâğıt mikroskop olan Foldscope’un genel özellikleri, teknik yapısı ve farklı alanlardaki kullanım potansiyeli ele alınmıştır. Çalışma kapsamında Foldscope’un tasarım özellikleri, büyütme kapasitesi ve kullanım kolaylığı incelenmiş; bilim, eğitim ve sağlık başta olmak üzere çeşitli disiplinlerdeki uygulama alanlarına değinilmiştir. Ayrıca Türkiye’de son yıllarda gerçekleştirilen projeler, bilim şenlikleri ve eğitim temelli uygulamalar üzerinden Foldscope’un yaygınlaşma süreci değerlendirilmiştir. Elde edilen bulgular, Foldscope’un “tutumlu bilim” yaklaşımı ile uyumlu olarak özellikle fen eğitiminde erişilebilirliği artıran etkili bir araç olduğunu göstermektedir. Bu bağlamda Foldscope’un, okul içi ve okul dışı öğrenme ortamlarında bilimsel gözlem ve bilim okuryazarlığını destekleyici bir rol üstlenebileceği sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.

🔖

Cite This Article

Külekçi, S., Kimyon, H., Yıldırım, E. (2026). An Innovative Educational Tool in Science Education: The Foldscope Microscope. Journal of Sustainable Education Studies, Cilt: 7. https://ajindex.com/articles/1619232

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (38)

  1. Akerson, V. L., & Donnelly, L. A. (2010). Teaching nature of science in kindergarten: Is it ever too early? Science Education, 94(6), 977–993. doi:10.1002/sce.20371
  2. Andiema, N. C. (2016). Effect of child centred methods on teaching and learning of science activities in pre-schools in Kenya. Journal of Education and Practice, 7(27), 1–9.
  3. Capasso, C., Levi, C. A., & Braga, A. (2022). Micro world project in the development of creative critical scientific thinking. MUST Reviews, 6, 211–224.
  4. Cybulski, J. S., Clements, J., & Prakash, M. (2014). Foldscope: Origami-based paper microscope. PLOS ONE, 9(6), e98781. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0098781
  5. Çepni, S., Şahin, Ç., & İpek, J. (2011). Fen ve teknoloji öğretmenlerinin fen okuryazarlığı alt boyutlarına yönelik görüşlerinin belirlenmesi. Kuram ve Uygulamada Eğitim Bilimleri, 11(4), 2145–2172.
  6. Das, K., Dutta, P., & Gogoi, J. (2021). ‘Foldscope’—A simple and economical microscope. Journal of Biological Education, 55(2), 217–222. doi:10.1080/00219266.2019.1682641
  7. Dori, Y. J., & Tall, D. (2000). Computerized molecular modeling: The potential of 3D visualization for laboratory-based learning. Science Education, 84(6), 770–784. doi:10.1002/10982736(200011)84:6 3.0.CO;2-9
  8. Dua, J., & Dhawan, S. (2021). Foldscope™ as a teaching and learning tool: An Indian perspective. Bioscene: Journal of College Biology Teaching, 47(1), 64–71.
  9. Erdoğan, M. (2011). Doğa temelli çevre eğitimi programının ilköğretim öğrencilerinin çevre okuryazarlığı üzerindeki etkisi. Kuram ve Uygulamada Eğitim Bilimleri, 11(4), 2233–2237.
  10. Erduran, S., & Dagher, Z. R. (2014). Reconceptualizing the nature of science for science education: Scientific knowledge, practices and other family categories. New York, NY: Springer. doi:10.1007/978-94-017-9057-4
  11. Falk, J. H., & Dierking, L. D. (2002). Lessons without limit: How free-choice learning is transforming education. Lanham, MD: AltaMira Press.
  12. Foldscope Instruments. (2023). Our story. Erişim adresi: https://www.foldscope.com/pages/our-story
  13. Ganesan, M., Christyraj, J. R. S. S., Venkatachalam, S., Yesudhason, B. V., Chelladurai, K. S., Mohan, M.,. Christyraj, J. D. S. (2022). The Foldscope microscope, a frugal alternative tool to conventional microscopy—Applications in research and education: A review. Microscopy Research and Technique, 85(11), 3484–3497. doi:10.1002/jemt.24205
  14. Gündüz, Ş., & Akcan, A. (2017). Okul öncesi öğretmenlerinin fen eğitiminde okul dışı öğrenme ortamlarına yönelik görüşleri. Journal of International Early Childhood Education Studies, 2(2), 24–42.
  15. Güneş, T., Güneş, H., Çelikler, D., & Demir, S. (2016). Fen bilgisi laboratuvar deneyleri. Ankara: Anı Yayıncılık. Halkbak. (2025). Mikroskobun icadı. Kültür ve Yaşam. Erişim adresi: https://kulturveyasam.com/mikroskobun-icadi/
  16. Halligan, J. (2006). Museum education and school groups (Unpublished master’s thesis). University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom.
  17. Henriksen, E. K., & Frøyland, M. (2000). The museum as a learning laboratory: Program development and evaluation of a school-museum program in geology. Science Education, 84(2), 174–200 doi:10.1002/(SICI)1098-2736(200003)84:2 3.0.CO;2-9
  18. Karakoç, Z., Ketani, M. A., & Ketani, Ş. (2016). Mikroskopların çalışma mekanizması ve çeşitleri. Dicle Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, 1(1), 1–6.
  19. Kılıç, Z., ve Şen, S. (2014). Okul öncesi öğretmenlerinin fen eğitimine ilişkin görüşleri ve uygulamaları. Eğitim ve Bilim, 39(174), 115–128.
  20. Kulshreshtha, P., Gupta, S., Shaikh, R., Aggarwal, D., Sharma, D., & Rahi, P. (2022). Foldscope embedded pedagogy in STEM education: A case study for SDG4 promotion in India. Sustainability, 14(20), 13427. doi:10.3390/su142013427
  21. Külekçi, S., & Mertoğlu, H. (2026). Lisansüstü okul dışı fen eğitiminde yenilikçi bir öğretim uygulaması: Foldscope mikroskobu. 2. İstanbul Uluslararası Eğitim Araştırmaları Kongresi (IIER) Bildiri Özetleri Kitabı içinde (s. 82). İstanbul: İstanbul İl Milli Eğitim Müdürlüğü. Erişim adresi: https://istanbul.meb.gov.tr/kongreistanbul/Content/dokumanlar/dokuman/9acbefbe-9dc5-4506-a91d-338cc41004a3.pdf
  22. Laçin Şimşek, C. (Ed.). (2011). Fen öğretiminde okul dışı öğrenme ortamları. Ankara: Pegem Akademi.
  23. López-Clinton, G., García-Zepeda, E. A., & Moreno-Roman, P. (2023). Microcosmos explorers: Foldscope workshop for science outreach in Mexican schools. Journal of Science Communication, 22(01), N03. doi:10.22323/2.22010803
  24. Moreno-Roman, P., & Bobick, K. (2022). Foldscope: Increasing accessibility to science worldwide. Microscopy Today, 30(3), 42–49. doi:10.1017/S1551929522000633
  25. Murdock, K. (2007). The impact of out-of-school-time (OST) science activities on student science achievement (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Wichita State University, Wichita, KS. National Research Council. (1996). National science education standards. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
  26. Njenga, A., & Kabiru, M. (2005). Following the footsteps: In the web of cultural transition: A tracer study of children in Embu District, Kenya (Early Childhood Development: Practice and Reflections No. 14). The Hague, Netherlands: Bernard van Leer Foundation.
  27. Pagar, P. R., Patil, P. D., Aher, P. R., Suryawanshi, P. K., & Pagare, P. S. (2024). Foldscope: Laboratory characterization for paper microscope. International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts, 12(4), f584–f589.
  28. Prakash Lab. (t.y.). Ana sayfa. Erişim tarihi: 20 Ekim 2025, https://prakashlab.stanford.edu
  29. Prakash, R., & Prakash, K. (2019). Virtual microscopy made economical and effortless using the Foldscope and a smartphone with screen mirroring. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, 23(2), 292–294. doi:10.4103/jomfp.JOMFP_148_18
  30. Prameela, S. E., McGuiggan, P. M., Brusini, A., Glenn, T. W., & Weihs, T. P. (2020). Looking at education through the microscope. Nature Reviews Materials, 5(12), 865–867. doi:10.1038/s41578-020-00246-z
  31. Pretorius, J., de Beer, J., & Jackson, C. (2023). The possible uses of foldscopes as a form of frugal science in the biology classroom, as well as in out-of-school science activities. Research in Social Sciences and Technology, 8(3), 106–120. doi:10.46303/ressat.2023.17
  32. Sarı, U. (2019). Fen bilgisi öğretmen adaylarının okul dışı öğrenme ortamlarına yönelik öz-yeterlik inançlarının belirlenmesi. Fen Bilimleri Öğretimi Dergisi, 7(1), 1–22.
  33. Sharma, A. D. (Ed.). (2022). Foldscope and its applications (Vol. 2). New Delhi, India: National Press Associates.
  34. Stanford Medicine. (2012, November 27). Prakash wins Gates grant for paper microscope development. Erişim adresi: https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2012/11/prakash-wins-gates-grant-for-paper-microscope-development.html
  35. Şen, A. (2019). Okul dışı öğrenme nedir? İçinde A. İ. Şen (Ed.), Okul dışı öğrenme ortamları (ss. 2–18). Ankara: Pegem Akademi.
  36. Woodward, D., Ricks, E., Jr., Bjorkman, P. J., Tsoulfas, P., Johnson, J. E., Westmoreland, G., & Wilkie, T. M. (2021). The way of science in future Tibetan Buddhist education. Frontiers in Communication, 6, 731604. doi:10.3389/fcomm.2021.731604
  37. Yükseköğretim Kurulu. (2018). Öğretmen yetiştirme lisans programları. Erişim adresi: https://www.yok.gov.tr/kurumsal/idari-birimler/egitim-ogretim-dairesi-baskanligi/ogretmen-yetistirme-lisans-programlari
  38. Ganesan, M., Christyraj, J. R. S. S., Venkatachalam, S., Yesudhason, B. V., Chelladurai, K. S., Mohan, M.,. Christyraj, J. D. S. (2022). The Foldscope microscope, a frugal alternative tool to conventional microscopy—Applications in research and education: A review. Microscopy Research and Technique, 85(11), 3484–3497. doi:10.1002/jemt.24205