| When we think of science fair food projects, most of | | | | food will rot and create a colorful fungus "garden." |
| us probably think of the bread mold project that has | | | | 2. Place one piece of all the food in one of the jars. |
| been done to death already. Well, here is one of our | | | | Make sure you do not overfill the jar so that you will |
| science fair food projects that look at more than only | | | | be able to see the fungus growing clearly. |
| the fungus that grows on bread. There is still going to | | | | 3. Now you have to sprinkle a little water in the jar and |
| be bread in the mix though as we are going to grow a | | | | make sure you moisten all the food, do not soak it |
| "fungus" garden. | | | | though. |
| Do you know why we can call it a fungus "garden?" | | | | 4. Do you know why you are doing this? |
| Yes, because a fungus is a "plant" and it needs certain | | | | 5. Close the jar with the lid |
| conditions to grow such as food, the same as all other | | | | 6. Place the jar on a counter top where it will not be |
| kinds of "plants." Keep in mind though that they are | | | | disturbed and also out of direct sunlight. |
| microorganisms and that the microbes are only visible | | | | 7. Now you do exactly the same with the second jar |
| when a lot of them gather together. This is what we | | | | except you do not sprinkle any water on it. |
| normally call mold. Now we are going to see how | | | | 8. This jar will serve as your control and every time |
| many of them we can grow in our fungus "garden." | | | | you observe the other jar and take photos of it, you |
| For a good science fair project you have to make | | | | have to do it with this jar as well. |
| notes of all your steps, saying what you are doing and | | | | 9. It is important that you now observe the changes |
| why you are doing it. You must formulate a hypothesis, | | | | that happen in the jar everyday. |
| and do the experiment according to the correct | | | | 10. Record everything you see and take photos every |
| scientific method and think of your display. It is always | | | | day. |
| a good idea to take photos as you go. | | | | 11. Keep this up for at least two weeks and then ask |
| Because fungus can be harmful, do not take it to the | | | | an adult to dispose of the jar and it's contents. |
| fair, but take enough photos to use in your display. | | | | Now you have to formulate your results: |
| Make sure you show the different kinds of fungus | | | | |
| clearly. | | | | 1. How long did it take before you noticed the first |
| What you need for this experiment: | | | | fungus growing? |
| - 2 Empty clean and completely dry mayonnaise or | | | | 2. How many different types of fungi were you able |
| other suitable jars with a lids | | | | to grow in your fungus "garden?" |
| - 2 Pieces of bread | | | | 3. Could you see more than one type of fungi growing |
| - 2 Pieces of apple | | | | on one kind of food? |
| - 2 Pieces of cucumber | | | | 4. Did the fungi spread over time? |
| - 2 Pieces of cheese | | | | 5. Did the food change in shape or texture as the fungi |
| - 2 Pieces of carrot | | | | grow? |
| - 2 Pieces of any other kind of fruit available | | | | 6. Did the fungi grow more on certain kinds of food |
| - A little water | | | | than on others? |
| - A pen | | | | 7. Did the fungi grow slower or faster in your control |
| - A notebook | | | | jar? |
| - A camera | | | | 8. Remember, every step of the way, you have to |
| How to do your experiment: | | | | make the same observations and take the same |
| | | | photos of your control jar as of the other jar |
| 1. First of all formulate your hypothesis. It is that if the | | | | 9. |
| food is left undisturbed in the jar for some time, the | | | | |