Fungi for Teachers and K-6
We offer educational support for teachers; and kids are welcome at our forays, ID classes, free monthly talks, and culinary events!
Cover image of the Fungus Files, by terraBrie Stewart and Rost Koval, courtesy of NAMA
As a teacher, there are many ways you can encourage students to learn about mushrooms, even if you're not an expert yourself.
A Free Educational Resource
The North American Mycological Association (NAMA) has generously shared an incredible resource with K-6 educators and the public:
The Fungus Files: An Educator’s Guide to Fungi K-6 (Second Edition), is a newly revised e-book packed with dynamic and diverse activities designed to be easily adaptable to students of all ages, learning styles and ability levels. This publication is the best thing to come along in mushroom education in a decade.
Written by terraBrie Stewart and designed and illustrated by Rost Koval, The Fungus Files can be used by anyone teaching about fungi to school groups, science clubs, local nature groups, and any non-specialist audience. Stewart resides in Edmonton, Alberta.
Forays and ID Classes
Families and teachers are welcome to join any of FFSC's publicly available forays, and to come to our free monthly talks.
If you're a teacher, we encourage you to join a foray or take an ID class, and learn the basics about how to collect and study mushrooms safely. You can use what you've learned to help your students examine mushrooms in place while on nature walks (or collect samples for study in the classroom, if permitted).
Parents can bring their kids to any of our forays, classes, or other events.
Santa Cruz Fungus Fair
Our annual Fungus Fair is FREE for kids under 12, and discounted for older students. This event really is fun and educational for the whole family! The Fair opens on Friday afternoon, so school groups can come to check out all the fascinating mushrooms when they're freshest. (Note that the Vendor Areas and Craft Room are only open on Saturday and Sunday.)
We do our best to keep the tickets affordable. That said, parents and older students who cannot afford tickets can get in free by volunteering at the Fair.
Create an iNaturalist Project
While students under 13 years old cannot have their own iNaturalist accounts, some teachers and communities have created iNaturalist projects and posted samples that were found or photographed by students. Here are some examples to explore for inspiration:
Join or Start a MycoBlitz
Several organizations and regions run periodic projects to catalog species in a particular location or time frame. Learn more:
Scholarships and Grants
FFSC accepts grant requests to help educators and institutions advance the understanding and study of fungi.
For example, if you and your students have a special research project in mind, or if your school needs assistance to purchase mushroom field guides or mycology equipment for the classroom, you are welcome to apply.
Visit our Scholarships and Grants page to learn about the application process.