Microscope Marvels: Bringing Science to Life for 2nd Graders
by Abigayle Frazier-Hansen
Second-grade students across the district are exploring the world in greater detail, thanks to the “Microscope Marvels” Classroom Grant, funded by the GIPS Foundation. This project provided digital microscopes to all 36 second-grade classrooms, transforming how young learners experience science.
By revealing details too small to see with the naked eye, these microscopes spark curiosity and deepen understanding in biology, earth science, and chemistry. Kaitlin Warner, second-grade teacher at Dodge, explained that, “for some of these kids, this is their first experience with a microscope, so getting to experience that is really cool.” Instead of just reading about plant cells, minerals, or microorganisms, students can now observe them up close, making complex scientific ideas easier to grasp. This hands-on approach encourages students to think like scientists—asking questions, conducting experiments, and drawing conclusions. Whether examining the colors and patterns on a butterfly wing, viewing grains of sand, or looking at everyday items, students take an active role in their learning.
This grant is also a game-changer for teachers. With access to digital microscopes, educators can create more interactive lessons and support student learning in science and CKLA. Kaitlin said that for these second-graders, “getting to see things up close that they can't see with their eyes is very fun for them.” The ability to project magnified images onto a screen or allow students to explore at their own pace helps meet the needs of different learning styles. McKenna Supencheck, second-grade teacher at Dodge, explained, "One our students' favorite lessons is about insects, where we learn the word 'microscopic'. By using the scopes, we were able to further explore insects and their body parts, and truly understand the meaning of microscopic." By integrating this technology into daily instruction, teachers are leading the way in STEM education and demonstrating how modern tools enhance learning.
The “Microscope Marvels” project is already making a difference. Teachers report that students are more engaged in science and eager to participate in discussions. Seeing microscopic details firsthand, such as the colors on a butterfly wing or the hairs on an insect leg, improves comprehension, making challenging concepts easier to understand. The project also strengthens critical thinking skills, encouraging students to explore, test ideas, and form conclusions based on real observations.
Thanks to this Classroom Grant, second graders aren’t just learning about science—they’re experiencing it in a whole new way. McKenna said about this grant, “I think it's awesome to use grants for things like this so we can do hands-on things, because we're teaching and we're talking all the time, but being able to provide an actual experience where they can see things and remember… they will remember this for a long time.” And as they continue to explore the microscopic world, who knows? The next great scientist may just be sitting in a second-grade classroom today.
If this story has sparked an idea for YOUR school or classroom, learn more here.
"It's fun because they get to see something up close and see those details that they wouldn't have seen on their own." - Kaitlin Warner
"Our class was super excited because we've been learning about insects. So it was super cool to look up close at what an insect looks like, looking at all the different body parts. They were super excited." - McKenna Supencheck
Read GIPS's coverage of this project here or below.
Zooming Into Learning: Microscopes from GIPS Foundation Grant Bring Insect World to Life
Grand Island Public Schools
March 3, 2025
The buzzing excitement in the second-grade classrooms at Dodge Elementary wasn't just from the students; it was from the fascinating world of insects the students were actively discovering.
A classroom grant from the Grand Island Public Schools (GIPS) Foundation funded the purchase of special microscopes to be used by all GIPS second grade students, transforming CKLA (core knowledge language arts) and science lessons into hands-on experiences.
Second grade Dodge Elementary teachers MaKenna Supencheck and Kaitlin Warner, both passionate about sparking curiosity in their young learners, utilized the microscopes to bring the details of insects into sharp focus.
"CKLA Knowledge is like listening comprehension," Supencheck explained, "Instead of kids just reading, I'm reading stories to them, and we do a lot of class discussions and group work. This unit was about insects, so we learned all the characteristics of what makes an insect, an insect."
The insect unit, a part of the CKLA Knowledge curriculum, was popular with students, despite some initial squeamishness.
"Some of them love it, and some of them think it's disgusting," Supencheck laughed, "but it's really cool learning the different parts. It's great because we learn about the importance of insects and why we probably shouldn't kill them."
The hands-on aspect of science, especially the visual learning, is what Supencheck truly enjoys. "It's fun to do things that are more hands-on, or teaching them things that are more visual," she said.
Thanks to the grant, the microscopes took visual learning to a whole new level.
"Today, we looked at dead butterflies, which was cool because we saw all the different colors and shapes," Supencheck shared, "and then the different body parts. We got to look at the eyes up close, which was really fun."
Kaitlin Warner shared Supencheck’s excitement.
"This was actually for CKLA Knowledge, and we have been learning about all different insects, common characteristics of all insects, and then the butterfly life cycle," Warner said. "Today was kind of a fun day before the test, to celebrate the learning."
Warner highlighted the curiosity of her second graders.
"They learn a lot about insects they haven't heard about before, and a lot of facts about them that they didn't know before. It's a very fun and engaging unit for them," Warner said.
The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the microscope activity. "We got to observe the butterflies with our microscope from the grant," Warner shared. "They got to see the different body parts, like the head, thorax, abdomen, the legs, and antennae. Just to see those up close and some different microscopic details was fun for them."
Warner said the experiential learning provided by the microscopes made a significant impact.
"I think it's fun because they get to see something up close and see those details that they wouldn't have seen before," Warner explained. "For some of these kids, this is their first experience with a microscope, and so getting to just experience the different parts of that is really cool."
The GIPS Foundation's support has allowed these young scientists to delve deeper into the world of insects and more, fostering a love for discovery that will stay with them for years to come. Both teachers expressed their gratitude for the GIPS Foundation grant.
"I'm very thankful for this grant because I wouldn't have been able to do something like this without it," Warner expressed.
#WeAreGIPS
