The Learning Platform
The project learning platform takes you through the full design process using a variety of media - from explainer videos and Tinkercad/Fusion 360 3D design tutorials to design method instructions, templates and more.
Mycelium Moulds
In this project, you will be creating sustainable products out of mycelium – the root-like structures of mushrooms. After learning about mycelium and its innovative uses, you will participate in a written brainstorming activity to identify a consumer product to make, followed by a visual brainstorm to determine feasible and desirable forms. Guided by tutorial videos, you’ll design and 3D print moulds for your chosen solutions, before planting an organic substrate inoculated by mycelium.
Over a period of 3-5 days, the mycelium grows and acts as a binding agent to ‘glue’ the substrate together. Once dried, the structurally sound products can be put to use in the world. View the project details below and start a free trial to PrintLab today!
With thanks to Grown.bio for inspiring this project and Aidan Leitch for inspiring the mould design.
Project Difficulty
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This project is rated as advanced and is suitable for all those who have strong skills in 3D design and 3D printing.
Project Length
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The estimated project length is 4 hours, excluding any 3D printing time. This estimate includes designing and making 1 mycelium mould. The project can be run in shorter or longer periods of time depending on the number of iterations you choose to make. We recommend breaking the project up into multiple sessions (e.g. 4 x 1 hour sessions), which will allow you to 3D print necessary objects between sessions.
Equipment Required
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To participate in this project, you will require:
- A laptop or computer with either Tinkercad or Fusion 360 software (both free for educational and personal use).
- A software or web application to create a digital portfolio. We recommend using Google Slides as we provide a portfolio template in this format.
- Access to a 3D printer and 3D printing material.
- Mycelium growing kit/materials (recommended product from Grown.bio)
- Ethanol, gloves, mixing bowls, flour (equipment may vary depending on mycelium growing kit/materials)
- A device to capture images of your design process to insert into the project portfolio.
Additional materials may be required depending on the design methods you use when developing your solution.
The Portfolio
As you move through each stage of the project, we guide you in filling in a Google Slides template to document your design process - resulting in a beautiful and professional portfolio of work.
The Outcome
Our teaching methodology is focused around creative freedom. By using various research, design and evaluation methods, you'll learn how to create a mycelium product that's completely unique!
Teacher Resources
With our education licenses, you can generate a share link to give your students access to the project learning platform. Each section of the platform also has a teacher instructions tab, which provides you with step-by-step lesson plan instructions, curriculum alignment resources and an assessment rubric.
Ready to Get Started?
This project is available to subscribers of PrintLab. Learn more about our license options and start a free trial today to access a whole range of resources across the fields of 3D printing, 3D design, assistive technology, product design and STEM.
Start a Free Trial to PrintLab