Learning Resources Magnification Science Station: Educational Focus, Preschool & Early Grades, Non-Powered Wood Microscopes

I did not know how to make the purchase tax free, we are a school district.

I put this on the science shelf in my mixed age preschool classroom with a basket of materials to examine. The kids seized on the idea with great zest and started carrying the magnifier around to look closer at everything from apple cores to their shoes. I've always wanted a product like this for my preschoolers. Even if the children press their faces to the lens the image is still magnified. Hand lenses are useless because they just put them up to their faces. The concept is beyond them. The tripod automatically maintains the correct viewing distance and allows them to explore their world in a new way. IT'S GREAT EXCEPT THIS PRODUCT STINKS. The first one broke while we were assembling it. Screwing in the legs caused two of the sockets to break. The metal insert separated from the wood making it impossible to tighten them. We ordered a replacement and the second one assembled correctly but has a huge crack running completely through the wood after dropping off a low table. The kids are so disappointed and so am I!