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Harmonizing Nature, Education, Engineering and Creativity: An Interdisciplinary Educational Exploration of Engineered Living Materials, Artistry and Sustainability Using Collaborative Mycelium Brick Construction

Summary

This study shows how middle-school students can learn science, engineering, and art together by growing and building with mycelium, a fungal material that can replace plastic and other harmful materials. Students designed shapes, created molds, cultivated living mycelium bricks under sterile conditions, and assembled them into an artistic structure. The hands-on experience helped students develop practical skills like precise measuring and 3D thinking while learning about sustainability and nature’s cycles.

Background

Mycelium-based engineered living materials (ELMs) have emerged as sustainable alternatives to traditional materials in packaging and construction. There is growing interest in integrating these materials into educational curricula to foster interdisciplinary learning. This study explores the pedagogical potential of mycelium materials in middle-school education.

Objective

To develop and implement an interdisciplinary middle-school curriculum integrating biology, engineering, and art through collaborative mycelium brick construction. The course aimed to foster holistic learning experiences, develop 3D spatial thinking, and cultivate appreciation for sustainable design principles among students aged 11-12.

Results

Students successfully developed spatial thinking, fine motor skills, and problem-solving abilities through positive and negative mold creation. Initial skepticism about working with fungi transformed into engagement and curiosity during hands-on mycelium cultivation. However, students demonstrated significant gaps in ecological and sustainability knowledge, suggesting need for enhanced interdisciplinary integration. Collaborative assembly of mycelium blocks fostered teamwork and creativity.

Conclusion

Integrating mycelium-based engineered living materials into interdisciplinary curricula yields significant educational benefits, developing critical skills in spatial thinking, fine motor control, and problem-solving. The hands-on experience with living materials promotes appreciation for sustainability and creative thinking. Future educational initiatives should strengthen theoretical knowledge integration and consider collaboration with other school courses to enhance interdisciplinary learning outcomes.
  • Published in:Biomimetics (Basel),
  • Study Type:Educational Case Study,
  • Source: 10.3390/biomimetics9090525; PMID: 39329547
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