A Campaign to Save the
Rainforest!
Introduction:
Hundreds of years ago, tropical rainforests encircled the globe,
much like long green arms hugging the equator and covering twenty percent of
the earth's surface. Reduced to a six percent, the diminishing rain forest provides
homes for more than half of all of the plant and animal species living in the
world today. Rapid deforestation has endangered this tropical paradise. Today's
changing world has created new challenges for the survival of the rainforests.
You are
fighting to preserve a section of the rainforest which is scheduled to be destroyed.
You know that somewhere in this portion of jungle lies the cure for the dreaded
disease "squackalitis". Students everywhere are counting on you to
determine which plant in this area holds the cure. You must find a way to stop
the developers from destroying the forest so that you can develop the cure.
Your job is to argue for the saving of the land.
Task:
You and your group will work to develop a "campaign" to save the
rainforest (A campaign is when people get together to accomplish a purpose). This
may include PowerPoint presentations, TV commercials, speeches to people in the
government, going on talk shows, brochures, songs, posters, or any other
projects approved by the teacher.
Projects
should include showing the value of the rainforest and giving alternate
suggestions for land developers.
Procedure:
In order to create a well developed campaign to save the rainforest, you must
gather as much information as you can. Before you begin your campaign, locate
background information on the following:
a.
What makes a rainforest?
b.
Determine areas in the world in which rainforests are located.
c.
Why do we need the rainforests?
d.
Why are rainforests in danger?
e.
Why are the rainforest plants and animals in danger?
f.
What are some alternate
locations/plans for land developers?
http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/ww2/tamarap/rforest.htm
Evaluation:
Your "campaigns" will be graded for creativity, effectiveness,
accuracy, originality and neatness. You will receive a group grade as well as
an individual grade for your separate pages. Remember, your work is a reflection
of YOU! Always turn in work of which you can be proud!
Conclusion:
After completing this quest, you and your group should have developed a
stronger appreciation for the rainforests, nature and the circle of life! Use
your newfound knowledge to encourage others to protect our Earth!
Did you know? "Some of the medical problems solved with rainforest plants
include:
a. malaria (the bark of the cinchona tree produces quinine)
b. a muscle relaxant during surgery (curare, a vine extract used by indigenous
peoples to poison arrows and darts)
c. strokes, seizure, depression and Alzheimer's disease (secretions of an
Amazonian frog called Phyllomedusa bicolor)"
Who knows what other wonderful things are there; just waiting for us to find
them?