Abstract: A microscope formed from a single, flat, relatively thin, injection molded plastic blank employs living hinge technology. The blank has eight living hinges that cooperate with slots, hooks, and detents, such that when folded in a prescribed sequence, produces a unitized microscope body.

Abstract: A multi-use number board including a board having a series of substantially square raised surfaces or lands arranged in rows and columns on the top surface of the board and separated by an array of substantially perpendicular channels, and including holes at the intersections of the channels; the pegs having two ends, both of which may be inserted into the holes, one end being easily removable, the other end forming a friction fit so the peg extends fixedly from the surface of the board.

Abstract: An optical wave guide light collector includes a light pipe with a first, smaller end for disposition proximate an area to be illuminated and a second, enlarged end for disposition in the field of ambient light; a collector element directs ambient light from a wide field of view to the enlarged end of the light pipe.

Abstract: A hand-held collapsible microscope system has a lens section for holding a lens and a stage section for holding a specimen to be viewed; a lens in the lens section and a stage hole in the stage section are aligned with each other when the system is erected, and the stage section holds a specimen in registration with the stage hole. First and second resilient pleated sections interconnect the longitudinal edges of the lens section with the corresponding longitudinal edges of the stage section for enabling the sections to be erected with the lens and stage hole aligned and the distance between them to be adjustable for focussing by gentle finger pressure squeezing the lens section toward the stage section, and for enabling the sections to be swung to the collapsed position with the pleats extended and the sections flat on one another. A blank for making the microscope system is also disclosed.