If you have recently experienced a mold problem in your home, you know how difficult it can be to contain and eradicate the problem. Depending on the infestation, you may have had to leave the home for remediation (which can sometimes take several days). Did the mold affect the health of people in the household? Even those who are not allergic to mold can experience health problems associated with strains that produce mycotoxins that are toxic to both humans and animals.

If children were in the home during the infestation, it’s important to educate them on the causes of the mold and the many ways to keep it from developing in the future. Mold education is key in keeping everyone safe from potential outbreaks and related health problems. A good way to begin the conversation is to perform fun, safe mold experiments with the kids. One of our favorite experiments is also one of the easiest to coordinate.

So gather ‘round the kids for an engaging experiment called: HOW DOES MOLD GROW?

Definition: Mold, in the simplest of terms, is a type of fungus (spore-producing organisms that feed on organic matter). It grows through spores, which survive and thrive in environments that are often warm, dark and moist. The spores feed on dead plant or animal material, but can grow on food, walls and anywhere that provides a food source, oxygen and a temperature between 40 – 100 degrees.

Experiment Tools:

  • 4 Clear Sandwich Bags (with zip closures)
  • 1 Cup of Water
  • 1 Slice of Bread
  • 1 Piece of Fruit (Apple, Banana or Strawberry)
  • 1 Piece of (real) Cheese
  • 1 Small Snack Cake (like a Twinkie)
  • Tablets for Notes

Experiment:

  • Put each food item into one of the sandwich bags
  • Lightly sprinkle each piece of food with water
  • Seal each bag tightly
  • Collect the bags and place each in a dark cabinet
  • Make sure that cabinet is at room temperature
  • Leave the bags in the cabinet for two days (without disturbing them)
  • After taking the bags out of the cabinet, what is the result?
  • Do any of the food items contain a slight fuzz?
  • What color is the fuzz? Does it differ on each item?
  • Put the bags back into the cabinet for another two days
  • Continue this procedure for 10 days
  • On day 10 what is the result?
  • Do all four food items exhibit mold growth?
  • Did one item not contain mold? Which one?
  • After making your observations, throw all the bags away unopened

Talking Points:

  • The moisture, the darkness and the room temperature were all ideal conditions for mold to grow on the food items.
  • Mold spores are always in the air – and different spores are attracted to different kinds of food. This is why the mold growth on each food item was a different color/texture.
  • Which food item did not grow mold? The snack cake is made with preservatives that kill the mold before it has a chance to grow.
  • Try the experiment again, but this time place the four food items in different locations where the temperature and light vary. Place one near a window, one in the fridge, etc. Make notes on the progression of the mold and how the growth varies from the original experiment – and how the growth varies from item to item.

More Mold Experiments

Educating your kids on the science behind mold can be both fun and informative. It is especially helpful if your household has recently had to deal with a mold infestation and lengthy clean-up/remediation. If you are dealing with a mold issue and need an assessment or help with remediation, give us a call today at 855-587-3786!

Related Blogs:

Washing Mold from Clothing

Removing Mold Odor with Sunlight