In this lesson we are going to focus on the importance of soil, and the role of decomposers in reducing the food waste heading to landfill. What are you waiting for? Let’s dig a little deeper into the topic of soil … literally!

The Fungi Kingdom is more diverse than the Plant Kingdom. Fungi are more closely related to animals than plants.

As this topic is Fungi, our activities are based around identification of fungi and lichens, zombie fungi, spores, cultural uses, and the importance of fungi for on this planet.

Race to collect the reasons plants can harm health (and some examples) as you move around the game board!

Plants, animals and fungi can be difficult to see easily - especially if they are very small, very shy or well camoflagued. Hence scientists use a variety of tools and techniques to help find what they are looking for.

Yeast is yummy and mould is medicinal… In this unit take a closer look at how the growth and survival of these tiny organisms are dependent upon the right conditions, and how humans have harnessed them to help.

The oldest known fossils are from 480 million years ago. Millipdes do not have millions of legs, they don't bite or sting and and if threatened they curl up into a tight ball.

Have a contest to see who can grow the most mold!

The study of moulds as members of the fungus kingdom has an immediacy for children because moulds grow quickly, have a wide variety of forms, and are common around the home and garden.

It's safe to say that food looks and tastes a lot better when it's fresh or preserved properly. Teach kids about how mold, fungi and bacteria affect food while they investigate further with a fun mold activity.

The Bush focuses on the classification of plants and uses the forest ecology of New Zealand plants as a medium for the study.

Taxonomy is the practice and science of classifying life forms. Their are 8 main taxonomic ranks: Life, Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.

Field-guide like information on some of the more common macrofungi of New Zealand.