When you think about museums, you might imagine cool things like unusual birds or amazing animals. But have you ever thought about a rusty car being part of a museum collection? Well, that’s exactly what happened with a door from a 1984 Ford Bronco!
Scientists from the Field Museum, along with their friends, were on a field trip in Puerto Rico when they spotted this old car parked by the side of the road. What made this car special wasn’t its age or model, but what was growing on it—lichens!
Lichens are fascinating, plant-like organisms that are actually a team-up between algae and fungi. They live together in a symbiotic relationship, meaning they help each other survive. Lichens can grow in many places, but finding so many on a car door was quite a surprise!
The scientists were amazed by the variety of lichens covering the car. They wanted to study them more closely, but bringing the whole car back to their museum in Chicago was too difficult. So, they decided to take just the door. They paid the car’s owner $20, who was probably a bit puzzled by the request!
Back at the museum, the scientists discovered over 50 different species of lichens on the door. Some of these lichens glow under UV light, which is pretty cool! Even more exciting, one of these lichens might be a brand-new species that no one has ever seen before.
This story shows us that science can happen anywhere, even in the most unexpected places. You never know where you might find something amazing, so always keep your eyes open and be curious about the world around you!
Take a walk around your neighborhood or school and look for lichens growing on different surfaces like trees, rocks, or even old cars. Make a list of the places where you find them and describe their colors and shapes. Share your findings with the class and discuss why lichens might choose these spots to grow.
Using colored pencils or paints, draw a picture of a car door covered in lichens. Be creative with the colors and patterns, imagining what different species might look like. Display your artwork in the classroom and explain the symbiotic relationship between algae and fungi in lichens.
In pairs, act out the relationship between algae and fungi in lichens. One of you will be the algae, providing food through photosynthesis, and the other will be the fungi, offering protection and structure. Perform your role-play for the class and discuss how each organism benefits from the relationship.
Use a UV flashlight to explore how certain lichens glow under ultraviolet light. If possible, bring in samples of lichens or use pictures to see this effect. Discuss why some lichens might have this glowing property and what it could mean for their survival.
Imagine you are a scientist who discovers a new species of lichen on an unexpected object. Write a short story about your discovery, including where you found it, how you studied it, and what makes it unique. Share your story with the class and discuss the importance of curiosity in scientific discoveries.
Museums house a variety of fascinating specimens in their collections. You might first think of an unusual bird or a remarkable mammal, but have you ever considered a rusty car? This driver’s-side door from a 1984 Ford Bronco was collected by scientists from the Field Museum and their collaborators, who noticed it parked on the side of the road during a field expedition in Puerto Rico.
What caught their attention was the car’s abundance of lichens—plant-like organisms that result from a symbiotic relationship between algae and fungi. The scientists spent time marveling at the diversity of lichens covering the decommissioned automobile. After careful consideration of how to transport the entire vehicle back to the Field Museum in Chicago, they decided to take just the door, paying $20 to the car’s confused but accommodating owner.
So far, the scientists have identified more than 50 different species of lichen growing on it, many of which fluoresce under UV light, and one of which may be a new species to science. This illustrates that scientific discoveries can be found in the most unexpected places.
Lichens – A combination of fungi and algae that live together in a symbiotic relationship, often found on rocks and trees. – Lichens can survive in harsh environments, like the Arctic tundra, because they are a partnership between fungi and algae.
Algae – Simple, plant-like organisms that can photosynthesize and are often found in water. – Algae provide much of the Earth’s oxygen and are a crucial part of aquatic ecosystems.
Fungi – Organisms that include molds, yeasts, and mushrooms, which decompose organic material. – Fungi play an important role in breaking down dead plants and animals, returning nutrients to the soil.
Symbiotic – A relationship between two different organisms where both benefit from each other. – The clownfish and the sea anemone have a symbiotic relationship, where the fish gets protection and the anemone gets cleaned.
Organisms – Living things, including plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi. – All organisms need energy to grow, reproduce, and maintain their structures.
Species – A group of similar organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring. – The giant panda is a species that is native to China and is known for its distinctive black and white fur.
Scientists – People who study the natural world using observation and experiments. – Scientists use telescopes to study stars and planets in our galaxy.
Museum – A place where important objects related to history, art, or science are kept and displayed. – The science museum had an exhibit on dinosaurs that showed how they lived millions of years ago.
Puerto Rico – An island in the Caribbean known for its diverse ecosystems and rich biodiversity. – Puerto Rico is home to the El Yunque National Forest, which is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System.
Chicago – A city in the United States known for its museums and scientific institutions. – The Field Museum in Chicago has a vast collection of fossils, including the famous T. rex named Sue.
