Key Stage 4 Resources
- Aseptic technique
- Cell cycle and mitosis
- Types of miscroscopy
- Microscopy required practical activity
Other teaching resources may be found on the Fungi4Schools webpages (note that these webpages are not longer updated).
The Microbiology in Schools Advisory Committee (MiSAC) promotes the teaching of microbiology in schools and colleges by developing and publishing new ideas for the educational use of microorganisms, answering queries, giving talks, contributing to training courses, interacting with examination boards, science suppliers, publishers and industry.
Each year, MiSAC hold a competition for students in Key Stages 3 and 4 (or equivalent). The topic chosen for the competition in the UK is linked to the National Curriculum and competition sponsorship provides monetary prizes for students and their schools.
MiSAC Competition 2025
MiSAC's 2025 competition for students at Key Stages 3 and 4 / Scotland S1/2 and S3/4, sponsored by the BMS, is focused on human fungal diseases and the emerging threat of antifungal drug resistance.
The diseases caused by human pathogenic fungi range from mild skin infections (eg, athlete’s foot and ringworm), to life-threatening diseases that include allergic lung disease, bloodstream infections (eg, candidaemia) or COVID-associated mucormycosis. Recognising the impact of human fungal diseases is clearly vital for improving global health. Every year, over 1 billion people experience a fungal infection, making the impact of these pathogens huge.
Object of the competition: to design an illustrated, web-page for teenagers to raise their awareness of a human fungal disease and outline the problem of antifungal drug resistance.
Closing date: 29 March 2025
Fungi in the School Curriculum
Teachers of Science - and particularly Biology - will be aware that there are very few direct references to fungi in Curriculum Specifications in England. We are working hard to change this; however, in the meantime it is important to note that fungi can be used to illustrate life processes, ecology, classification, biology & disease etc. and can be used to assist the development of practical skills.
In an article for the OCR newsletter (December 2021), Dr Linda Davies, then Chair of the BMS Fungal Education & Outreach Committee, explained why its crucial fungi must be included in OCR's proposed GCSE in Natural History.