It started as an innocent slice of bread, left alone in a corner, minding its own business. But then—boom! Fuzzy green invaders took over. Enter the DP1 students of Chennai Public School, Thirumazhisai, armed with microscopes, staining solutions, and a questionable sense of bravery. Their mission? To study the fungal kingdom up close.
The lab was abuzz with excitement (and mild disgust) as students carefully scraped off the bread mould, some gagging slightly while others marvelled at the sheer audacity of nature. “This is the most alive thing I’ve seen all week,” one student commented, staring in fascination at a Petri dish teeming with fungal growth.
With gloves on and noses held, the students set out to stain the fungal structures. The battle began as slides were prepared, fungi were dyed, and spores spread (thankfully not beyond the lab). Some students mastered the staining technique effortlessly, while others spent more time staining their fingers than their specimens. “I think I just turned my thumb into a fungal colony,” said one unfortunate but dedicated participant.
Under the microscope, the true horror—or beauty—of the fungi was revealed. Hyphae stretched like tiny highways, spores sat smugly like microscopic invaders ready to take over, and the mycelium looked suspiciously like alien tentacles. One student gasped, “It’s like looking into the abyss… and the abyss is looking back.”
Despite the initial squeamishness, the DP1 students emerged victorious, armed with newfound knowledge and a mild distrust of old bread. The experiment was a success, proving that science is equal parts wonder, weirdness, and occasionally, a little nausea.
Moral of the story? Always respect the fungi. And maybe check your sandwiches before taking a bite!!!
