Building Access to Microscopy: Insights From a Rural Pilot in Peru

In 2023, Foldscope Instruments, Inc. partnered with Enseña Perú to launch a pilot project in Cajamarca, a mountainous region in northern Peru. The initiative introduced Foldscopes, affordable, paper-based microscopes, to seven rural schools, reaching 28 teachers and over 700 students in both elementary and high school. Through in-person workshops and follow-up support, the project aimed to equip educators with tools to spark curiosity and integrate microscopy into their science curriculum. This pilot served as the foundation for a broader initiative set to launch in 2024, designed to reach four times as many educators and students across rural Peru. This article shares the implementation process, early insights, and lessons learned, offering a scalable model for enhancing science education in underserved regions, using low-cost technology.