The collaborative writing workshop with "nonhuman entities" incorporated Physarum polycephalum — slime mold.

The workshop was co-led by Coalesce Artist-in Residence Cesar Baio, a Brazilian artist and theorist, and professor of art, technology and multimedia at Campinas State University (UNICAMP).

The other co-leader was Lucy HG Solomon, a California-based artist, professor of media design at California State University San Marcos (CSUSM), and Coalesce artist-in-residence.

Lucy HG Solomon explains the project, which will use the slime mold to create works of art.

Students glove up for the encounter with the "nonhuman entities."

Rian Hammond (center), Coalesce Lab teaching assistant, observes as work gets underway.

Lucy HG Solomon demonstrates how to use the oat-based solution that Physarum polycephalum grows on.

The students used the oat-based solution to write words that they associated with Lake Erie.

Printed facts about Lake Erie lie beneath the agar in the petri dishes.

A student uses the oat solution to write words in the petri dish.

Lucy HG Solomon demonstrates how to add the slime mold to the dish to start its growth.

Workshop instructor Cesar Baio (far right) and Coalesce Director Paul Vanouse (center) observe as a student works.

The slime mold is added to the words written with the oat solution.

Students work together to transfer the mold to a petri dish.