Mushrooms in the Classroom

Three Simple Activities for Middle School Mycologists

Last week, I swapped my mushroom lab coat for a hall pass and spent the morning with two buzzing Grade 7-8 classes. Together we did hands-on mycology experiments that turns used engine oil and new toilet-paper rolls into living science projects. Below you’ll find the step-by-step instruction to replicate the magic in classrooms or at home.

Why Mycology Belongs in Middle-School Science

Let’s talk about bringing mushrooms into the classroom. Oyster mushrooms pop up in 7–10 days, fast enough to keep even the most fidgety middle-schooler hooked. It’s not about watching something grow. It's a hands-on STEAM adventure.

They can dive into biology with life cycles and tinker with chemistry through pH and enzymes. They can crunch numbers to track variables, and getting creative with spore print art.

Plus, kids get to see circularity in action. Watching mushrooms turn waste into food and soil right before their eyes can spark big ideas .

Part 1 – The Grow-Bag Challenge

This is the easiest way to get kids into mycology. An oyster mushroom grow kit is the only specialty item you need, which you can order from any reputable supplier.

Kids will form groups and decide how they want to conduct their experiment. They do this by changing how much light, airflow, humidity and temperature each kit gets.

Total time is about 10 days start to finish and it takes less than one class to set it up.

1. Supplies

• 1x ready-to-fruit mushroom grow kit per group (oyster strain recommended for speed)
• Spray bottle for misting
• Masking tape or tip ties
• Permanent marker
• (optional) Data sheets (temperature, humidity, spray schedule, observations)

2. Experiment Design (Student-Led)

Each team chooses how they control their variables

1. Cut pattern (airflow and humidity) : X-shape, single slit, or cluster of holes, etc
2. Location (light and temperature): Window sill, bookshelf shade, under the teacher's desk
3. Misting schedule (humidity): 1×/day, 2×/day, or 3×/week, etc

They’ll keep every other factor constant, record hypotheses, then race to prove (or debunk) their theories.

3. Daily Care & Data Collection

• Count sprays per misting session.
• Note visual changes: pin formation, cap colour, aroma (yes, science can smell delicious)
• (optional) Log room temperature & ambient humidity.

Part 2 – DIY Toilet Paper Mushroom Farm

Ever thought a toilet paper roll could become a mushroom farm? This experiment is a fun, low-cost way to show how mycelium can grow on many different substrates. Students can watch the fungi transform a toilet paper roll into a mushroom factory in under three weeks.

1. Materials Per Student

• 1 new toilet-paper roll
• Large freezer ziplock bag or mushroom growing bag
• 10-50 g of sawdust spawn from a grow kit
• Kettle or pot for boiling water
• Masking tape or ziptie

2. Pasteurization & Hydration

1. Boil water and let it sit for 5 minutes (target ~80 °C / 175 °F).
2. Place roll upright in the Unicorn bag. Pour hot water until wet but not dripping. (Squeeze test: one gentle press = 1–2 drops.)
3. Cool to room temp—about 30 minutes.

3. Inoculation

1. Crumble spawn over the top, in the tube and sides of the roll.
2. Twist the open bag and tape the neck to seal it, leaving the filter patch exposed for gas exchange (if applicable)

4. Incubation & Fruiting

• Incubate: Dark cupboard, 20–24 °C for 10–14 days until white mycelium blankets the roll.
• Fruiting: Cut two 2 cm slits in the bag, mist 1–2× daily, keep out of direct sun. (Or even better, repeat the experiment from part 1)
• Harvest when caps unfurl—usually 5-7 days after pinning.

Part 3 – Mycoremediation: Watching Mushrooms Digest Motor Oil

Let’s get a bit wild and show kids how mushrooms can help clean up the planet. This experiment is all about mycoremediation—using mycelium to break down pollutants like used motor oil. It’s hands-on, a little messy in a good way, and a total eye-opener for students as they watch mushrooms do their magic. Here’s how to set it up in the classroom:

1. Supplies

• 1x wide-mouth mason jar (500 mL or larger) per group
• 100–150 g of oyster mushroom spawn (from a grow kit)
• Small amount of used motor oil (collect from a local mechanic, ~1-10 mL per jar)
• Syringe or dropper (for precise oil application)
• Gloves
• Masking tape and permanent marker (for labeling)
• (Optional) Data sheets (to track oil degradation, mycelium growth, observations)

2. Setup & Inoculation

• Add Substrate: Crumble up a grow it and pack the jars 3/4 full. Tamp it down with your hand to remove air pockets.
• Inject the Oil: Using a syringe or dropper, inject 1-10 mL of used motor oil along the inner sides of the jar, so it’s visible through the glass. You want a thin, even layer coating the sides—don’t drench it. Groups can control this variable to see how long it takes the mycelium to break down 1mL vs 5mL vs 10mL.
• Seal It: Screw the lid on to allow some air exchange, or cover with a breathable filter (like a coffee filter with the metal ring of a mason har). Label each jar with the group name and date.

3. Observation & Data Collection

• Incubation: Place jars in a shaded spot at 20–24 °C (a classroom cupboard works great). Check weekly for 3–4 weeks.
• What to Look For: Students should note the spread of white, fuzzy mycelium through the substrate and along the jar’s sides. Over time, the oil’s dark sheen should fade as the mycelium breaks it down. Log changes in colour, texture, and even smell (carefully!).
• Track It: Have students record weekly observations—how much oil remains, how far the mycelium has spread, and any funky changes. They can sketch or photograph the jars for a visual record.

4. The Big Reveal

By week 3 or 4, the mycelium should have worked its way through the oil, reducing its presence. It’s not only cool, but also it’s a real-world demo of how fungi can tackle pollution. Get the kids to discuss what they saw, figure out why it worked, and brainstorm other wastes mushrooms could tackle.

What Students Should Observe

Comparing Results: Data-Driven Storytelling

Once the experiments finish, create a class chart and track some input and output variables, such as:

• Yield weight vs. spray frequency
• Time to first pins vs. window distance
• Cap size vs. cut pattern
• Oil amount vs. breakdown time
• Spawn amount vs TP incubation time

Encourage students to present findings and guess why their kit turned out the way it did. Bonus points for partnering with a cooking class for a taste test!

Call to Action: Join the Heartwood Classroom Network

If you run this experiment, tag @HeartwoodMushrooms. We’ll reshare your students’ triumphs (and flops—we love honest science!).

If you want support bringing mycology into your classroom, reach out via contact form or email me at shane@heartwoodmushrooms.ca

Keep cultivating curiosity!

Shane O'Donnell
Owner and Founder