On January 29, 2009 the Jonathan Law High School science department received an electron microscope, which was donated by Schick.

An electron microscope uses electrons to illuminate and magnify a specimen. Electron micro-scopes are much more powerful than conventional light microscopes and can be used to view specimens on a molecular level.

"It’s a very exciting opportunity for Jonathan Law," said Physics teacher, Mr. Stanton. "Very few high schools have received an electron microscope."

The electron microscope that was originally built in 2000 was donated to Law by Schick after they received a newer model. If the microscope was purchased today, it would cost about $60,000.

Specifically, the microscope Law has received is a scanning electron microscope or SEM. The SEM uses a specific scanning pattern to generate a magnified image of a specimen.

SEMs can support magnifications of up to 250,000 times. This magnification is 250 times more than the best light microscopes can support.

Currently, select teachers in the science department, including Mrs. Bouchard, Mrs. Turcotte-Mottas and Mr. Stanton are being trained to use the SEM.

The teachers expect to work through the 193-page manual over several weeks. Due to the electron microscope’s sensitive and detailed nature, classes of students will most likely not be able to use the device.

"It’s disappointing that we won’t be able to use the electron microscope, said Greg J., a junior and physics student at Law. "We deserve to be able to use the microscope."

The microscope will primarily be used as a resource for teachers who will take pictures of different specimens related to what they are teaching so that they can show these detailed and unique images to their classes.

"We can use the pictures taken with the microscope for classes such as Physics, Chemistry and possibly Biology," Mr. Stanton said.

The electron microscope is currently located in a storage room between the two chemistry rooms.

"Electron micro-scopes are generally owned by universities and large corporations," said Mr. Stanton. "Our school is very lucky to have received one."