A third-year student in Negros Occidental has invented a pen-sized digital microscope made from recycled electronic materials, aiming to help schools with limited access to scientific equipment.
Photo elements from the Carlos Hilado Memorial State University.
Ceejay Faala, a Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Science at Carlos Hilado Memorial State University (CHMSU), created the device, which he calls “Pencroscope.”
The invention can connect to a smartphone or television to display microscopic images, providing a cost-effective alternative to traditional microscopes.
“My goal is to give access to scientific observation to schools lacking equipment, especially microscopes,” Faala said,as reported by Negros Daily Bulletin and posted on CHMSU’s social media page.
He explained that his Pencroscope is about ten times cheaper than a standard microscope and could engage students in science, even in underfunded classrooms.
Faala, 21, made the device from scrap parts of broken electrical devices.
“The microscope I made is from recycled materials, and that’s how I started working on a smaller, more affordable version,” he said.
Faala, who developed a hobby in electronics in 2020, added that his background in science motivated him to find solutions for the lack of tools in science education.
“As a science major, we do a lot of observation, and it’s hard when the tools, especially microscopes, aren’t accessible,” he noted.
He is open to collaborating with government or private groups to further develop his invention and make it available to schools in need.
While the Pencroscope is not yet available on the market, Faala hopes his creation will inspire others to find innovative ways to address education challenges.
“I’m sharing this to show what a Negrense or Filipino can do,” he said.
Faala lives in Barangay Bagroy, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, and continues to work on improving his device, which he believes could be a valuable tool for classrooms across the country.