| So You
Want To Travel To Namib Instructional
Objectives
Background Material
Procedure
Evaluation/Alternative Assessment
Web
Resources
Instructional
Objectives: Students
will:
- Plan a trip to the Namib desert
- Determine what materials will be
necessary to travel in the desert
- Identify the hazards to human
travel found in the Namib desert
Background
Material:
The Namib desert is a very hot
environment. All travelers there must plan for the
hazards they will face in the desert to enjoy
the beautiful place that it is. Temperature varies
during the year and during some periods, travel is
not suggested due to extreme temperatures. After
viewing the Namib film, many of the hazards to humans
will become evident to the students. Target areas to
consider would be the intense heat of the desert, lack of
water, dangerous insects, dangerous snakes, large
mammal predators, etc. (If you missed The Living Edens "Namib" program that aired July 16, 1997 on PBS, you can order the video).
An excellent guide to Namibia is
the Spectrum Guide to Namibia, compiled by CAMERAPIX,
Hunter Publishing, 1994.
Target
Grade Level: Middle
Level Students, grades 6-8
Materials Needed:
(Students should work in cooperative groups of 3-4
students)
- Copy of the program, The Living Edens "Namib"
- Lined paper and a pencil
- Student science journals
- Computer with access to the World
Wide Web
Procedure:
- As students view the Namib
Program, have them compile an individual list of
the harsh conditions of the seashore and desert
in the Namib environment
- Have student groups review the
list following the film and identify precautions
they might take to protect themselves in the
Namib environment
- Write the hazards and the
precautions students would take on the visit to
Namib in their science journals
Evaluation/Alternative Assessment:
Students are to share their lists
of hazards and precautions for a trip to Namib to the
class by group. Other class members compare and
contrast their lists as each presentation is given.
The teacher records a list of the suggestions on the
board or overhead projector and upon completion of
all entries by all groups, a final list of hazards
and precautions is completed and agreed upon by all
groups.
Elementary Extension:
Elementary students will come up
with fewer hazards and precautions. Brainstorming in
groups regarding the list of hazards and precautions
may be more difficult for lower elementary students
which in turn will require more lead from the teacher
to direct concerns for travel in the Namib.
High School Extension:
Students in the high school can
research other environments and extend the activity
by determining what hazards and precautions must be
taken in each of the environments visited. Much
research can be done on the World Wide Web. Other
biomes that can be visited are the arctic and the
rainforest.
Other options are to connect with
the CDC, Center for Disease Control on the world wide
web to research health hazards.
Web Resources:
http://namibia.safari.co.za/safari-health-vaccinations.html
http://www.sunvil.co.uk/africa/namibia/guidebook/ch06.htm
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