Expedition Earthwatch

Goal 1: To gain an understanding of the Earthwatch Institute.

Goal 2: To investigate one of the projects undertaken by the Earthwatch Institute.

Goal 3: To report back to the class and inform them of the project you have focussed on.

What you will need:

A computer and your workbook.

Background:

The Earthwatch Institute is an organisation that aims to engage people in scientific research and education to promote the understanding and action needed for a healthy, sustainable environment. Earthwatch gives people the opportunity to be involved in scientific field research by becoming a member of a research team.

I have been chosen by Earthwatch to participate in a project that investigates Climate Change in the Rainforest. This is a unique opportunity for me to visit some of the region's most magnificent rainforests and see a large range of forest animals at close quarters, from leaf-tailed geckos to possums. In my free time, I might swim in isolated rainforest streams and explore the forest tracks, or take a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef - I will be doing all of this while you are having fun at school.

I would really like you to have a sense of what Earthwatch is about, and the opportunities they provide ‘everyday people’ across the world.

What to do:

Task 1: Use the Earthwatch website below to investigate information about Earthwatch. Answer the following questions in your workbooks.

Social and Environmental responsibility

http://www.earthwatch.org/australia/about/what_we_do/

  1. What is the mission of Earthwatch?
  2. What is a sustainable environment? (you will need to find a definition of this online).

Who is Earthwatch?

http://www.earthwatch.org/australia/about/who_we_are/

  1. When was Earthwatch Australia founded?
  2. Which city did Earthwatch begin working in Australia.

Our Results

http://www.earthwatch.org/australia/our_work/field_research/res_achieve

Choose one of the following projects:

  • Manta database spreads its wings
  • Harbouring the right habitat
  • Stomaching a croc’s diet
  • Out of Africa
  • Chick CCTV
  • Protection in the plants
  • Happy snappers
  • Born Free

Predicting volcanoes

Steppes for protection

Giving hyaenas reason to laugh

Carbon communities

Message in a bottlenose

Australia: Climate change in the Rainforest

Task 2:

Read the information about your chosen project (you may work in pairs to complete this task). Compile information, including:

  • The title of the project
  • The aim of the research (what did the scientists try to achieve?)
  • Information about the research area
  • The location of the project
  • Who were the leading Scientists/What did they focus on?
  • Has anything been discovered so far? Any conclusions made?
  • Any other relevant/interesting information

Task 3:

After making notes in your workbook, create a poster or a PowerPoint presentation to inform other students about the projects Earthwatch are involved in. Include all above information. Make sure you include at least one illustration AND one map to show the location of the fieldwork.

Task 4:

Present your poster OR PowerPoint presentation to the rest of the class.