Making Paper with Fungi
Source Institutions
-
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
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In this activity (p.24 of PDF), learners make paper with fungi. Learners discover that paper is basically a flat mat of fibers. Although handmade paper is traditionally made with vegetable fibers, the basic process is no different for fungi, except you are using a chitin rather than a cellulose base. Safety note: Always wash your hands after touching fungi!
- Under 5 minutes
- 1 to 7 days
- $10 - $20 per group of students
- Ages 11 - 14
- Activity
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- Some bracket fungi
- A tray (e.g. cat liter tray)
- A heavy weight
- 2-3 sheets of blotting paper
- A blender
- 10-12 pieces of absorbent cloth (slightly larger than intended size of paper)
- A mesh frame (specialized paper-making frames can be bought from art shoots but homemade alternative, like mesh netting spread over an embroidery hoops, are fine)
- Lots of water
Subjects
- Life Sciences
- Diversity of Life
- Protists and Fungi
- Diversity of Life
Informal Categories
- Arts and Crafts
- Nature and Environment
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Links STEM to other topics of interest such as arts and humanities
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
- Assinder, Sue; Rutter, Gordon
Rights:
- All Rights Reserved, British Mycological Society and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, ©2002
Funding Sources:
- British Mycological Society
- Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
