1.  Write a $1000 grant (see link).

2.  Be awarded said grant (admittedly the step of the process that you have the least control over).

3.  Use the money to buy one of these.  

It’s going to be so cool to use the thing next year in AP Bio.  It should really help students bring more good, digital, photos in to their lab reports, the publishing of which was, of course, the main reason why we got the grant.  It’s the most wonderful positive feedback loop outside of parturition.

Note:  It doesn’t hurt to have an awesome IT director, who buys you extra lenses for the microscope.  You should totally get yourself one of those, just not mine.