Learning Zone

‘Ask the Experts’ at The Learning Zone

A major part of our flagship event since 2002, The Learning Zone is a tremendous free and interactive space which is open to all visitors and conference delegates.

Speak to our RMS member volunteers who are there to offer advice or explain basic or fundamental techniques using the available equipment on the zone. This range of microscopes and microscopists will be happy to field your questions, so please feel free to bring your samples along and ask for advice!

This year we are thrilled to showcase a portable SEM that is part of the Hitachi Global STEM Outreach Project - A collaboration between the Institute for Research in Schools, The Royal Microscopical Society, The Natural History Museum, Hitachi High Technologies and Oxford Instruments. 

The Learning Zone also has its own seminar theatre hosting a daily programme of introductory talks. These talks are free to attend and there is no need to book in advance - simply turn up and enjoy! This year they are centred around four themes:

1) Techniques and Practice - The Basics
2) An Introduction to Open Source Software for Image Analysis and Hardware for Instrument Building 
3) The RMS Community and Career Development
4) Outreach and Public Engagement 

The Seminar Theatre programme will be available to view soon. 

New to 2025, school visits and an educational programme for teachers

We are looking forward to welcoming both school groups and teachers to the Learning Zone this year. There will be opportunities to use the microscopes as well as dedicated talks in the Learning Zone Seminar Theatre for students on where microscopy could link into their future careers, and for teacher on the portable SEM project and how this could come to your school for a term.

If you are interested, we do request that you book in advance and contact Nicole Hondow for details.

On Display

We will have a historical display containing “Replica Rara” – a collection of instruments commissioned by Dr James McCormick in the early 1970s. Please visit our Science Heritage Collection of Microscopes page for more information. We will also be showcasing the progress Zeiss Archivity, Wolfgang Wimme has achieved making copies of the letters between Ernst Abbe and Carl Zeiss available for public view. 

If you would like any more information about the Learning Zone at mmc2025, please email Jess Cole.


RMS Zone

Also running will be the RMS Zone. This area offers a more relaxed spot to find out about the Royal Microscopical Society, with information on membership, future events and training courses as well as a chance to meet a number of our Council, committee and staff members.

You can also find out more about the Society’s outreach projects such as its recognised qualification, the RMS Diploma and the RMS Microscope Activity Kits - the successful scheme of free microscopes and activities sent out to UK Primary Schools each term.

The RMS would like to thank the following companies for the contribution of their equipment to the Learning Zone: Nikon UK Ltd, MetPrep Ltd, and ZEISS.

Learning Zone Organisers 

Kerry Thompson

Kerry Thompson

Chair of Outreach & Education Committee, Honorary Secretary for Education, University of Galway

Alex Ball

Alex Ball

Deputy Chair of Outreach & Education Section, Electron Microscopy Section Representative, Natural History Museum

Andrew Scott

Andrew Scott

University of Leeds

Nicole Hondow

Nicole Hondow

University of Leeds

Jess Cole

Jess Cole

Team Administration and Schools Outreach