INFORMAL SCIENCE EDUCATION IN PRIMARY SCHOOL: THE CASE OF IMPLEMENTING PHYSARUM POLYCEPHALUM AS AN EDUCATIONAL INNOVATION

In the context of STEAM education, it is challenging to find innovative methods that promote student engagement and develop practical skills. This study analyzed the use of the slime mold Physarum polycephalum in informal primary science education at a private school in Lithuania. The aim of the study was to examine the implementation process of this innovation, its key motivations, challenges, and impact on student learning. A semi-structured interview revealed that the uniqueness of P. polycephalum, its ease of cultivation, and interdisciplinary applicability stimulated students’ curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. The activities enabled students to acquire laboratory skills, explore microbiology, and engage in experimental biology. Although the initiative faced challenges such as microbiological contamination control, proper preparation and ensuring suitable conditions helped to overcome these obstacles. The study results demonstrated that this educational practice could enrich STEAM education by involving students in active learning and enhancing their problem-solving abilities. Successful application of this method requires teacher preparation, information dissemination, and consistent methodological refinement. The use of Physarum polycephalum has the potential to become an innovative tool for fostering students’ interest in science and its practical applications. Keywords: STEAM education, Physarum polycephalum, educational innovation, non-formal education, inquiry-based learning.