Educator Spotlight: Examining Local Flora

Camile Clarke led her high school students on a study of how human activities affect forest biomes in the Caribbean. Students conducted a field experience around their school in central Jamaica to observe characteristics of the local soil and vegetation as well as map the human impact on the natural landscape. Continue reading Educator Spotlight: Examining Local Flora

Isolated Tribes and Forests Threatened by New Amazon Road

ENVIRONMENT Communities in Peru are opposing a major development project approved by their central government. (National Geographic) Use our inquiry-based lesson plan to help students analyze the impact of building a road in the Amazon. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas Use these questions to start student inquiry. Then, use our lesson to help explore … Continue reading Isolated Tribes and Forests Threatened by New Amazon Road

Deforestation in the Amazon is Devastating Fish Stocks

ENVIRONMENT When it comes to deforestation, wood and water are often looked at in isolation. However, there is a significant link between deforestation and reduced fish catches. (Geographical) This current event pairs beautifully with our activity on the effects of deforestation in the Amazon. Use it! Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas New research has … Continue reading Deforestation in the Amazon is Devastating Fish Stocks

Mystery of the Missing Puerto Rican Parrots

ENVIRONMENT Among Puerto Rico’s displaced residents is an entire flock of critically endangered parrots. (Atlas Obscura) How are conservationists working to support Puerto Rican parrots? Use our activity to learn more about captive breeding. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas The great Atlas Obscura article describes the Puerto Rican parrot, also called the iguaca, as … Continue reading Mystery of the Missing Puerto Rican Parrots

The Amazon Rain Forest Is Not an Untamed Jungle

GEOGRAPHY The biodiversity of the Amazon rain forest is not entirely pristine. It was also shaped by an ancient hunger for fruits and nuts. (Nature) Use our activity to learn more about biodiversity in the Amazon. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas A new study analyzes the distribution of domesticated trees in the Amazon rain … Continue reading The Amazon Rain Forest Is Not an Untamed Jungle