Visiting the Animalcules
A mobile microbiology laboratory experience — bringing professional-grade science to schools, museums, and curious minds across the Netherlands.
Professional Lab Equipment. Real Science.
400x–1000x Binocular Microscopes
Professional compound microscopes with oil immersion capability — the same equipment used in clinical diagnostic laboratories.
Microbiology of Fermented Foods
Explore yogurt, kefir, and fermented food samples under the microscope. See how beneficial microbes transform food, flavour, and gut health.
Smartphone Microscopy
Universal smartphone adapter with vibration-free shutter. Capture and share your discoveries in real time.
The Three Discovery Modules
One mission, three worlds to explore. Each module is self-contained and can be adapted to your group.
Metabolic Life
Duration: 60–90 minutes
Suitable for: Ages 10+, schools, adults, corporate teams
Find the Bacteria in Your Food
Identify living Lactobacillus and Saccharomyces directly from yogurt, kefir, and fermented food samples at 400x resolution. Understand microbial clusters, fermentation morphology, and how microbes transform food from the inside.
What you will see
- Lactobacillus delbrueckii — long purple rods, 2–9 µm
- Streptococcus thermophilus — cocci in chains
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae — large oval budding yeast
What you will do
- Prepare wet mount slides from food samples
- Apply Gram staining protocol step by step
- Photograph bacteria using smartphone lens
- Record pH before and after fermentation
Biodiversity
Duration: 60–90 minutes
Suitable for: Ages 8+, schools, environmental groups, families
Explore the Wild in a Drop of Amsterdam Canal Water
Collect and analyse water samples from local Amsterdam canals and pond water. Discover an entire invisible ecosystem teeming with life — protozoa, rotifers, and the legendary tardigrades — in real time under the microscope.
What you will see
- Protozoa — single-celled organisms swimming and hunting
- Rotifers — microscopic animals with rotating feeding apparatus
- Tardigrades — resilient water bears
- Microplastics — contamination made visible
What you will do
- Collect live water samples
- Prepare fresh wet mount slides
- Sketch organisms in an observation journal
- Discuss Dutch waterway health
Pathogenic Profiles — Under Development
Duration: 90–120 minutes
Suitable for: Ages 14+, biology students, pre-medical students, career changers
See Bacteria the Way Doctors Do
Use the exact same Gram staining technique used in clinical diagnostic laboratories worldwide. Visualise the structural difference between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria on prepared clinical slides at 1000x oil immersion — the highest magnification available outside a university lab.
What you will see
- Gram-positive bacteria — violet thick cell walls
- Gram-negative bacteria — pink/red thin cell walls
- Cell wall architecture at molecular level
What you will do
- Apply full 4-step Gram stain protocol
- Use oil immersion at 1000x magnification
- Interpret results like a microbiologist
- Build a laboratory skills portfolio
Three Curiosity Tracks
Every workshop is adapted to your group's interests and goals.
The Eco Track
Focus: Microplastics and environmental indicators in Dutch waterways
Best for: Environmental science groups, secondary schools, sustainability teams
The Health Track
Focus: Gut microbiome health and probiotic survival rates in consumer products
Best for: Adults, wellness groups, corporate health programmes
The Career Track
Focus: Laboratory methodology and histology for Dutch Life Sciences entrants
Best for: Pre-medical students, university applicants, career changers
How We Deliver
School Visit
We bring the full mobile lab to your classroom. Minimum 15 students.
Half day (3–4 hours)
From €300/session
Museum & Public
Drop-in workshop sessions at partner venues across Amsterdam.
60–90 minutes
€35/person
Corporate Team Building
A unique science experience for teams. Includes gut health seminar option.
2–3 hours
From €1,500/event
Online Workshop
Live virtual session with 100x smartphone lens kit sent in advance.
60 minutes
€25/person
Every Participant Gets an Observation Journal
Document your discoveries, sketch what you see, and take your findings home.
Book Your Workshop
Choose your discovery module, request a custom combination, or ask for a group quote.