Precollege science education in the United States is not what it could, and should, be. Major changes are being made in the way science is taught, but delivering those changes to thousands of schools is an enormous task. Scientific societies are a major resource; they can organize and train member-volunteers to help teachers bring “real” science to the classroom. The Microscopy Society of America has become part of the effort with Project MICRO (Microscopy In Curriculum - Research Outreach). MICRO is putting MSA members, teaching materials, and microscopes in middle school classrooms nationwide. The idea began in 1993, but it has taken a lot of time and effort to implement.

MSA's early decision to collaborate with experienced science educators at the Lawrence Hall of Science of the University of California at Berkeley was a wise one; their educational materials have a well-earned national reputation for excellence.