Community Forum
Unit Topic: The Galapagos Islands
Grade Level: Middle School
Basic Concepts: Activism, Conservation, Interdependence
Content Areas: Social Studies, Science
Time: 1 1/2 hour
Objectives
Activity 1
Phase 1: Provide the students with a copy of the article "Ecuador Passes New Law to Protect Galapagos Islands: WWF Hails Move as "Gift to Earth." (See the following copy or the "Resources" section below for the web address.) As a class, read through the article. What initial impressions do the students have? What do they think of the Galapagos Conservation Law?
Materials: article
Phase 2: Watch the segment "Introduced Species" from the video Galapagos Beyond Darwin. Length is approximately 10 minutes. Allow students some time to respond to Phases 1 and 2 in their journals.
Materials: video, TV, VCR, journals
Phase 3: The class will be enacting a Galapagos Islands community forum in response to the new Conservation Law. Ask students to divide into groups. The number of groups and the number of students in each will depend on how many "characters" will be involved. Each group will be assigned a group of "characters" to portray. Suggested characters include:
-residents of the Galapagos Islands
-tourists
-tour guide operators
-scientists at the Charles Darwin Research Center
-Ecuadorian government officials
-"aquatic" scientists
-"land" scientists
-representatives from the World Wildlife Fund
-owners and employees of fisheries
-evolutionists
The students' assignment is to create a brief (2-3 minute) statement to present at the forum. Students should consider such questions as: How does the Conservation Law affect their characters? What implications does the law have for them? Will the law benefit or harm their characters? What would they say to the community in response to the new law?
Materials: paper, pencil
Phase 4: Once students have been given sufficient time to prepare their statement, arrange the classroom into a comfortable atmosphere. How might a real community forum look? Then each group will present their statement to the rest of the "community."
Materials: none
Phase 5: Instead of formally reflecting in their journals, students will complete the attached reflection guide.
Materials: reflection guide
Assessment: There is no rubric for this activity. The reflection guide will be used as a means of self-assessment. If desired, the teacher may collect the guides, read through them and make comments, and return them to the students.
Extensions:
1. Students may wish to attend a real community forum. How was it similar to or different from their classroom forum?
2. Students can research other laws intended to protect the Galapagos. What did these laws do? Did they work?
*Clark, D. & Giddings, A. (Producers and Directors). (1996). Galapagos Beyond Darwin [Film]. Available from Discovery Channel Video.
*World Wildlife Fund. (3-31-98). Ecuador Passes New Law to Protect Galapagos: WWF Hails Move as "Gift to Earth". [On-line]. Available Internet: www.wwf.org/new/news/pr136/htm
Other Suggested Resources (* designates "youth-friendly"):
*Briseiden, Tony. (2-16-98). Galapagos Conservation Trust. Available Internet: www.gct.org/galprob.html.
-The Galapagos Conservation Trust is a charity to raise funds for the Galapagos. This portion of their web page discusses the issues and problems facing the islands.
*Charles Darwin Research Station. (2-20-98). Charles Darwin Research Station. [On-line]. Available Internet: www.polaris.net/~jpinson/welcome.html.
-Info about islands, issues affecting the Galapagos, what it's like to work at the Station, scientific reports, and conservation. Many (but not all) of the sites within the page are youth-friendly.
*Environmental News Network. (7-18-97). Study documents new threats to Galapagos Islands. ENN Daily News. [On-line]. Available: www.enn.com/newswire/071897/07189076.htm.
-Issues facing the Galapagos.
*International Galapagos Tour Operators Association. (1-10-98). The Galapagos Islands: A World Heritage Site. [On-line]. Available Internet: www.igtoa.org/galapgs.htm.
-Includes pictures, links, specific information about the islands, issues, references, climate, and National Park Rules.
*International Galapagos Tour Operators Association. (1-10-98). Issues Facing the Galapagos. Available Internet:www.igtoa.org/issues.htm.
-Specific information about issues facing the Galapagos Islands. Includes several pictures.
*Lemonick, M. (1995, October 30). Can the Galapagos Islands survive? TIME Magazine [On-line]. Available Internet: pathfinder.com/@@c*3ilGG@5wE...mestic/1995/951030/environment.html.
-A wonderful article about the issues facing the Galapagos Islands. Pictures support the text.
*ParentTime Home. (3-31-98). Galapagos: Paradise in Danger. [On-line]. Available Internet: www.pathfinder.com/@@v8p@XAYAuJBrKJ3s.
- A short article about how introduced species are affecting the Galapagos.
*World Wildlife Fund. (2-16-98). The Galapagos Islands. [On-line]. Available Internet: www.wwf.org/action/factsheetslite/galapagos.
-A collection of brief factsheets compiled by the WWF. Specifically concentrate on biological diversity, people, threats, responses and challenges.
*World Wildlife Fund. (2-16-98). The Galapagos: Pressures on Paradise. [On-line]. Available Internet: www.wwf.org/galapagos.
-Extensive page dedicated to the Galapagos. Includes pictures, a slide show, fact sheets, specific articles, and a timeline. Concentrates mainly on the preservation and conservation of the islands.
*World Wildlife Fund. (3-31-98). Victory in the Galapagos. [On-line]. Available Internet: www.wwf.org/galapagos./victory.htm.
-Most recent information about the newly passed Galapagos Conservation Law.
