Impact Assessment on the Utilization of Portable Multi-Lens Off-Chip Cellphone Microscope: An Extension Activity to Munguia National High School, Dupax Del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines

Abstract

Within the last few years, cellphone subscriptions have widely spread and now cover even the remote part of the locality. Adequate access to a microscope, however, is not widely available, especially in secondary schools. Cellphone microscopes have the potential to revolutionize health–related screening and analysis for a variety of applications in biology and environmental science. The approach is unique in its optical design: the different lens set-up is placed, separated by its focal length on a microscopic sample and directly imaged from a detached camera phone, which allows different viewpoints of the sample to be recorded. Therefore, these demands support the research around microscopy. This study investigates the impact of the capability building conducted at Munguia National High School, Dupax del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya, on the utilization of a low-cost scientific device for microscopy through the portable multi-lens off-chip cellphone microscope. To implement the evaluation, researchers made use of a quantitative descriptive research design through a survey questionnaire with a 4-point Likert scale. With an overall weighted mean of 3.00, results showed that the said technology is a valuable and user–friendly tool for students of all abilities, enhances professional development, and promotes student collaboration. The findings of this study would be a motivation to enhance the extension service to the partner organization.