Making a Mushroom Spore Print

Part of the "Mushroom Garden Party" Collection

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Goal

Students will explore fungi by making spore prints.

Estimated Time

1 Day

Setting Required

Inside or Outside

Standards

  • S2L1d. Students will identify fungi (mushroom) as living organisms.

Materials

  • Mature mushrooms (1 per student)
  • Sky-blue paper (1 per student)
  • Plastic cup (1 per student)

Procedures

  1. Provide students with mature mushrooms that are safe to handle.
  2. Instruct students to remove the stem of the mushroom flush with the cap, then sprinkle the cap with a few drops of water.
  3. Model for students how to place the mushroom on the paper so the cut surface is against the paper. Then, cover the mushroom cap with a plastic cup to prevent the wind from scattering fallen spores or the mushroom from drying out.
  4. Allow mushrooms to sit until the next day then carefully lift the cap to reveal the spore print.