Training future enthusiasts: what does the Fundación Fungi Education Programme consist of?

Imagine a world in which students from all over the world have the opportunity to uncover the mysteries of fungi, learn about their potential, and appreciate the vitally important roles they play in every ecosystem.

Imagine a future in which the next generations are flooded with mycologists, experts in knowledge about these incredible organisms. As Fundación Fungi, we want to make this vision a reality through our Fungi Education Programme.

In collaboration with Reconsider and Fantastic Fungi, as Fundación Fungi we have taken a monumental step to address the lack of education about fungi in schools. Our dedicated team has developed a free mycology curriculum, designed to equip educators and inspire young minds to explore the captivating world of fungi. We believe that by fostering a deeper understanding of the fungal kingdom, we can pave the way towards a more sustainable and environmentally respectful future.

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Our fascinatingFungi Education ProgrammeIt includes a range of free resources aimed at educators, students and curious minds of all kinds. These are some of the resources we offer:

1.FF Mycological CV:Our curriculum is a carefully crafted collection of five modules and lessons suitable for middle school students (Years 6–8) and high school students (Years 9–12), with suggestions for primary school students (K–5). These modules, aligned with the NGSS and the Common Core State Standards, introduce students to the wonderful world of fungi. Each module also includes a short film from the famous documentary *Fantastic Fungi*. The curriculum is available atEnglish andSpanish.

2.Educational documentary “Hongos Fantásticos”:A captivating introduction to the fungal kingdom. This fascinating film will spark curiosity and a passion for mycology among students. Available in English,with Spanish subtitles.

3.Children’s activities (K–5 resources):We know that learning should be fun, especially for younger children. For this reason, we offer a wide variety of free and entertaining activities designed for children from Kinder to 5th. These activities include both online explorations and experiments, as well as printable resources, such as the comprehensive guide for educators that we call the Archivos Fúngicos or “Fungus Files” (currently only available in English).

4.Online training workshops for educators:To ensure that educators feel equipped to teach our curriculum, we have created a series of instructional videos with professional mycologists. These videos provide valuable information and model effective teaching methods for the FF curriculum and the Archivos Fúngicos (Fungus Files).

At Fundación Fungi, we are passionate about making mycological education accessible to everyone. We believe that by equipping educators and students with this knowledge, we are shaping a generation of changemakers who will contribute to a more sustainable and harmonious world.

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Through fungieducation.org We invite you to embark on this mycological journey with us to explore the mysteries of the fungi kingdom, and we express our sincerest gratitude to all educators for their invaluable contribution to shaping a better world through education. Together, we can cultivate a deep appreciation for fungi and empower the mycologists of tomorrow.

Our work continues as we expand our curriculum with more comprehensive lessons for each school year, with the help of educators from around the world and internationally renowned mycologists—stay tuned to learn more!Subscribe to our newsletter to receive monthly updates on the Fungi Education Programme.

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Text translated by Catherine Euale, volunteer for the Fundación Fungi Education Programme.