Types of Computer Parts to Examine Under a Microscope

Microscope challenge of the month- December 2024

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Finding your Subject: What is it?

Before you can investigate and learn about this month's topic, you need to know what it is. Inside computers, electric toys, and other electronics are many small parts that make technology work. These electronic parts like in the picture above are what we are investigating.

Learn about parts of a computer by reading this Article on Codakid:

"https://codakid.com/parts-of-a-computer/"

Get excited about seeing the inside of electronics by watching these videos about what is inside a computer!

Why we like it:

This simple video shows parts of both a laptop and a computer while going into small detail about what the parts do.

Why we like it:

Scishow Kids was made for kids while still giving good information. The information tells us about what a computer is and might be easier for kids who need simple explanations.

Why we like it:

This Video starts with how the mouse connects to the computer and how the computer connects to the monitor. That idea of connecting electronics is great for this project as you don't have to limit yourself to investigating computer parts, anything electronic has parts to view!

Want to learn more? Khan Academy had a whole course on this subject. We at the STEM Guild lvoe using Khan Academy for learning as it is free and easy to understand. Check out the course on Computers and the Internet: https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/computers-and-internet/xcae6f4a7ff015e7d:computers/xcae6f4a7ff015e7d:computer-components/a/computer-components-introduction

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Finding your subject: Where are they?

So although electronics are all around us in this modern age, you might not want to take apart just any electronic if you don't know how to put it back together. So where can you find these parts to investigate?

1st place I would ask? Any computer repair place. In my experience, professional repair technicians are very excited to hear children are interested in learning about electronic parts. Ask them if they have anything broken you can investigate. Below is a breakdown of what you might want to look at, where to find them in electronics, and even where to find them in your house.

Electronic screen

Electronic screens:

Because microscopes can focus up and down and potentially crack a screen, I don't recommend using a "good screen" for this project. But screens are a bunch of light pixels crammed together, they look really cool under the microscope!

• Around your house

  • Old phones

  • Children's toys with screens

  • Calculators

  • Old electronics (have to be able to turn on)

• Thrift shop

  • Gameboys

  • Cheap computer screens

  • Children's toys with a screen

• Store

  • Tamagotchi

    • These are small toys that have a simple pixel screen. Pick one up from Target for $20

  • Raspberry pie screens

    • Small screens used for simple programming $40 and you can start a coding raspberry pie unit.

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Processors can look different, here is a computer processor.

Microprocessors

Microprocessors are the brain of a device. You can find all kinds of cheap technology with a simple brain. Most of the time, you are 1 screw away from seeing the brain of a cheap and simple electronic.

• Children's toys that beep or make lights

• Calculators

• Tv remote

• Singing greeting cards

• Remote control for toy cars or video game

• Simple electronics

• Toy robot store, I got one for $5

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Usb sticks are mostly RAM inside

RAM

Think of any device that that you use to search something, ask it to recall information, or store information and it will have a memory component inside, though it may be connected to the motherboard if it is small enough.

• You can get a cheap computer RAM for $10

• Ram is in lots of devices, but might be attached to the pro

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Toys that engage more senses have more sensory devices inside.

Sensory Devices

If it beeps, blinks, flashes, buzzes, rotates, pivots, moves, has buttons, speakers, microphones, or screens, it has sensory devices inside. Although you can find these in lots of technology, if you want to be able to identify them and sort through the differences, I recommend buying a raspberry pie or Arduino sensory kit. These kits come with sensory devices separated and make it easy to distinguish and view them.

Otherwise, open up any old toddler toy that flashes, sings, and moves and you will find all kinds of sensory devices inside!

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Motherboard

The best motherboards are on laptops or desktop computers. They are way to expensive to purchase knew if you don't need one. But send a message out to friends or family and they may have a broken laptop or tablet they have been meaning to throw away and you can take it apart.

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Last thoughts

See what you can find!

Although computer engineering may not be what you would expect for a microscope challenge, these devices are made on a very small scale and require large magnification to see all the wires crossing when people construct them. While most of what you will find fits on the millimeter scale, some computer work on the nanoscale!