Foldscopes are origami microscopes that have the potential to change the way we view life and microorganisms around us. Invented a few years ago by Manu Prakash and Jim Cybulski from Stanford University, these pocket-sized tools are now making their way to biodiverse, yet remote parts of the world.

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India and the Prakash Lab at Stanford University, USA signed an agreement a few months ago to bring the Foldscope to India to encourage curiosity in science. The start of the proposed long-term engagement was a series of Foldscope workshops and talks in India between 16-21 December 2015. Manu Prakash and his colleagues (Marie Bas, Tom Hata, Jim Cybulski and Lakshminarayan Iyer) and volunteers from many institutes across India worked together with DBT and local organisers to teach students and enthusiasts the workings of the Foldscope.

The events included a Foldscope workshop at Sri Venketeshwara College, Delhi University, a lecture by Manu Prakash at Gargi College, Delhi, a workshop in Guwahati and a lecture in the Assam University Veterinary College, Guwahati and a few workshops in Kaziranga National Park, Assam.

IndiaBioscience documented the series through videos and blogs. Watch the videos below. Read the photoblogs here: Delhi and Northeast.