Activity

Observing fungi

In this activity, students hone their observation skills and practise using the science capabilities ‘Gather and interpret data’ and ‘Interpret representations’. The activity has two parts:

  • Observing physical fungal specimens (mushrooms).

  • Observing images of fungi.

Educators can choose to do one or both, depending on time and resources.

By the end of this activity, students should be able to:

  • identify some physical characteristics of fungal specimens

  • learn and use scientific vocabulary in both te reo Māori and English

  • practise using the science capabilities ‘Gather and interpret data’ and ‘Interpret representations’.

Stinkhorn fungus and Honey mushroom Fungi image cards.

Fungi image cards

Use these cards to observe different types of fungi that grow in New Zealand.

Rights: The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato

Equipment required includes:

  • mushrooms from the supermarket or collected by a local expert

  • observation devices (hand lenses, digital microscope, tablet with camera)

  • paper for recording ideas

  • fungi image cards (from the Word download).

Download the Word file (see link below).

Published: 21 November 2018