Is Mycelium the Plastic of the Future?

Positives

• Mycelium technology has applications in many industries including packaging, food, clothing, wearables, and construction.
• The video highlights popular brands that are using this technology like Adidas and Lululemon.
• The way the speaker explains is very exciting and entertaining.

Additional Prerequisites

• There are two ads at the beginning of the video.
• There is a promotion for the sponsor, Curiosity Stream, embedded part-way through the video from 7:11 to 8:05.
  

Differentiation

• Teachers may want to periodically pause the video to make sure students have time to understand each section.
  
• Economics classes could use this resource to discuss how new technologies can have cost-effective production and save industries money.
• Science and engineering teachers could challenge students to evaluate this technology and compare it with other plant-based plastic alternatives.
• Students could choose one of the industries mentioned in the video and research how mycelium is being used in that sector today.
• Cross-curricular connections can be made with chemistry by comparing the molecular structure of synthetic polymers with natural polymers like those found in mycelium.

• Other resources on this topic include this video on the harms of plastic pollution, this resource about material production, and this community action project that offers a solution to the use of plastic bags.