Classroom Explorer Kit - STEM Mycology Unit (30 Students)
The unseen world, classroom-ready.
Bring mycology and microbiology into your classroom with a complete, standards-aligned unit that needs no prior experience and minimal prep.
The Classroom Explorer Kit scales our Explorer Collection for full-class use. Students work in pairs to collect environmental samples (soil, leaves, fruit, and air), culture them on sterile agar plates, and observe growth over 1–2 weeks, practicing the scientific method firsthand.
Which option is right for you?
- Classroom Kit (30): Everything below for one class of 30 students working in pairs.
- Grade-level Kit (90): Three classrooms' worth of supplies and student journals for a full grade.
- Refill Pack (30): 30 sterile agar plates and 30 swabs to run the unit again with a new class.
What's included in the Classroom Kit (30)
Lab supplies (30 students in pairs):
- 30 pre-poured sterile agar plates
- 30 sterile wrapped swabs
- 15 pairs of nitrile gloves
- 15 specimen tubes
- 5 shared 5X magnifying glasses
- Parafilm strips to hold plate lids closed
Curriculum materials:
- Instructor guide with daily lesson plans (5–10 days)
- NGSS alignment document (MS-LS1, MS-LS2)
- 30 printed student observation journals
- Pre/post assessment (printable PDF)
- Lab safety guidelines
- Extension activities for advanced learners
Extras:
- 30 "Junior Scientist" badge buttons
- Explorer Portal access for digital resources
- Mush Ohio stickers
Learning objectives. Students will:
- Collect environmental samples using aseptic technique
- Observe and document microbial and fungal growth over time
- Apply the scientific method: hypothesis, experiment, observation, conclusion
- Understand the ecological role of fungi and bacteria
- Practice scientific documentation and journaling
Standards alignment
| Standard | Description |
|---|---|
| MS-LS1-2 | Develop and use a model to describe the function of a cell |
| MS-LS2-3 | Develop a model to describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy among living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem |
| MS-LS2-4 | Construct an argument supported by evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations |
Grade levels: 5–9 (adaptable for gifted elementary or introductory high school)
Time required: 5–10 class periods of 45–50 minutes
Safety
- Built around environmental samples. The unit doesn't call for culturing samples from students' bodies, in line with NSTA guidance; follow your school's policy for any other sample types.
- Plates are held closed with Parafilm strips after sampling and stay closed during observation, with no direct exposure to cultures
- Plates incubate at room temperature, never at body temperature
- Includes disposal guidance: autoclave where available, or disinfect with 10% bleach, following your district's rules
- Full safety guidelines included; SDS available on request
Why teachers choose this kit
- No prep: everything arrives ready to use
- No mycology background needed: a detailed instructor guide is included
- Standards-aligned, with documentation for administrators
- Engaging: students love watching things grow
- Affordable: about $5 per student for a single classroom, and under $4.50 per student with the Grade-level Kit
Purchase orders accepted. Email your PO to education@mushoh.io. Ordering for several schools or a district? Contact us at the same address for volume pricing.
