The Fungi Foundation at the Brazilian mycology congress
April 2, 2024
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FFungi Staff
Education Lead
FFungi Volunteer
In February, the Fungi Foundation made a significant impact at the Brazilian Congress of Mycology held in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Their presentation, titled, “Mycological Curriculum: Awakening Curiosity and Cultivating Wonder in Children with Free Access to Learning Resources,” showcased their pioneering efforts in promoting fungal education.
Leading the charge was Daniela Torres, the Chilean Office and Programs Manager at the Fungi Foundation. She spearheaded the official launch of the Portuguese mycological curriculum, alongside esteemed Brazilian mycologists Dr. Maria Alice Neves and Dr. Larissa Trierveiler Pereira. Together, they collaborated on translating the renowned “Fantastic Fungi” curriculum.
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The presentation shed light on over a decade of dedicated work in Chile, and the strides made in aligning study plans with educational standards in the United States. It highlighted a stark reality: the underrepresentation of fungi in education, a global issue transcending borders. In Chile, fungi receive significantly less attention in educational plans compared to their plant and animal counterparts. This disparity is mirrored in the academic standards of the United States, such as the NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards).
Despite not conducting a formal review of educational materials in Brazil, the specialists encountered challenges during the translation process due to the scarcity of mycological educational resources in Portuguese. Dr. Trierveiler shared her experience at the 10th Brazilian Congress of Mycology, stating, “When I was looking for instructions online on how to make a spore imprint as an activity suggestion for the Fungi Foundation's mycological curriculum, I did not find any educational material in Portuguese. That encouraged me to make a material on this topic”.
Since its launch in Brazil, over 120 individuals have accessed the Fungi Foundation's educational resources, including the Portuguese mycological curriculum. The Foundation remains committed to advancing its mission of encouraging educators across Brazil to incorporate fungi into their classrooms, bridging the gap in fungal education and fostering curiosity and wonder among students.
