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Fungi Science Fair Project

Growing Mold

Easy
Growing Mold | Science Fair Projects | STEM Projects
Have you ever seen mold growing on bread or cheese? Let's discover what foods mold likes to grow on the most so we can learn how to store our food better and keep it from going bad too quickly.

Hypothesis

The hypothesis is that mold will grow fastest on sugary foods.

Method & Materials

You will choose five different types of food to test for their suitability as a surface for mold growth. Cut each food to the same size (width, depth and height) or shape it to the same size (for coffee grounds). You will place each food in a separate plastic sandwich bag and leave them in a safe spot in your home. You will take pictures of the bags and record any observations. You will measure the size of the mold growth and plot the mold area over time.
You will need food samples from your home that are no longer fresh/needed, such as fruit, vegetables, bread, and coffee grounds. You will also need sandwich bags, paper/pencil to record data, a camera or sketch pad, and a ruler.

Results

It was surprising that the coffee grounds grew mold even though it is not sugary. The bread grew mold faster than fruits, maybe because the fruit has compounds that prevent mold from growing fast, but the bread does not.

Why do this project?

This science project is interesting and unique because it allows students to explore the world of fungi and discover what kind of food provides the best growing conditions for mold.

Also Consider

Variations of this experiment could include testing different temperatures, moisture levels, and light levels to see how they affect mold growth.

Full project details

You can find additional information and details for this science fair project here. Have fun exploring!

Related videos

Hey there! Here are some awesome videos about this science project that we think you'll really like. They're not only super fun, but they'll also help you learn more about the science behind the project. So sit back, relax, and get ready to have some fun!!
Get ready for some science fun! This student did an experiment to test which food molds the fastest. He tested apples, bread, American cheese, and peanut butter by placing them in open air, a Ziploc bag, and a vacuum-sealed bag, and by exposing them to both warm and cold temperatures. Can you guess which food will mold the fastest?
Have you ever wondered why it's okay to eat cheese made with mold, but not moldy bread? And is it safe to just cut away the moldy parts of fruits? Get ready to learn some fascinating science facts with this video! Discover the answers to these questions and more as you explore the world of molds.
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