Teravolt.org has an interesting demonstration of a Quick and Dirty DIY Laser Microscope. What you are looking at is a laser sitting on a book and the beam is shining through a drop of water that is hanging on the tip of a syringe. The water was taken from a potted plant which is why it’s teeming with life. I think we could have increased the number of people if we said it was tap water. 🙂