Open-Education in the OpenFlexure Project

As technology advances, the difference in cost and technical specifications between proprietary devices used in professional settings and education grows. We present the OpenFlexure Microscope, a locally manufacturable and 3D-printed, brightfield microscope as a solution to bridge the gap between teaching equipment and the devices medics are expected to use throughout labs around the world. The OpenFlexure Project develops all the hardware, software and documentation for education across all levels and disciplines. A locally manufacturable and affordable digital microscope allows pathologists to image and practice on local samples - something that is key to medical education - whilst also breaking down international barriers through collaborative initiatives such as the School of Open Pathology which seeks to connect pathologists around the world. High schools are becoming more invested in interdisciplinary projects across all age groups and the OpenFlexure Microscope gives students the opportunity to learn about biology, engineering, physics and computing science all in the same package. We have run workshops for high school science teachers around Glasgow, Scotland where we have shown them how to build the microscope and discussed challenges of integrating our microscope into a classroom environment.