The first step to completing a science project on the taxonomy of black mold is to draw a scientific taxonomy table, which, in regards to life sciences, typically consists of seven taxonomic rows or levels called kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species. To determine the number of columns in your taxonomy table, commit to analyzing an exact number of black mold types. For instance, you can choose to analyze species of mold including aspergillus, stachybotrys, chartarum, cladosporium, fusarium, pennicilium, rhizopus stolonifer and memnoniella.
Research is perhaps the most time-intensive portion of a science project based on the taxonomy of black mold. You must research each species of mold to determine the specific kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species in which it lies. You must then fill in the information on the table. For instance, the species rhizopus stolonifer is in the fungi kingdom. Its phylum and class are both zygomycota. Its order is mucorales. Its family is mucoraceae, and its genus is rhizopus. Also research each species of mold to learn how and where the mold forms as well as what health effects it can cause.
Once you have completed your table, you must analyze your findings. For instance, draw up a report on which species of mold have similar characteristics. Some molds may come from the same family. Ask questions such as "Do molds from the same family cause similar health effects?" or "Are molds from the same phylum mostly found in the same type of locations?" Report your findings.
Print out photographs found on a credible website such as The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (ser the link in the References section) of each type of mold to give you a visual display of each mold listed on your table. Most black molds are dangerous to work with; however, if you want to visually display real mold, consider growing rhizopus stolonifer, also known as "black bread mold," on a piece of bread. To do so, place a piece of bread in a sealed storage bag and let it sit for more than one week. You will eventually see the bread start to form white, green and then black mold. Keep the mold contained in the storage bag.