Instructions
- Watch & Listen: Watch Mission Madagascar (Series 1, Episode 7) carefully. Pay close attention to how the team works together and how people and animals can help each other.
- Reflect & Write: Complete the activities below. Write your answers clearly in the spaces provided.
- Think Big: For the final sections, use your imagination to connect the team's adventure to your own life!
Section 1: The Marine Mission & Eco-Tourism
In the first part of the episode, the team joins forces with Cetemada, a local marine conservation group, to study humpback whales.
1. Match the Cause and Effect: Draw a line (or write the matching letter) to connect how protecting whales helps the local people of Madagascar.
- Cause (Action): Protecting humpback whales from danger in the ocean.
- Effect (Result):
- A. More tourists travel to Madagascar to see the healthy whales.
- B. Tourists buy local food, rent boats, and hire local guides, bringing money to the community.
- C. Local people get steady jobs and can build better schools and medical clinics.
2. The Eco-Tourism Chain Reaction: In your own words, explain how saving one animal species (like the humpback whale) can help a whole village of humans.
Hint: Think about what tourists need when they visit a new place!
Section 2: The Coexistence Balance
The team travels west to Ranomafana National Park to see if protected areas can support both wildlife and human beings.
Directions: Look at the park management features in the table below. The first row is done for you as an example. Complete the remaining rows by explaining how each feature benefits both animals and the local people.
| Park Management Feature | How it Helps Wildlife (Animals & Plants) | How it Helps Local Humans (The Community) |
|---|---|---|
| Example: Planting native trees | Creates new homes and food sources for lemurs and birds. | Protects the local soil and keeps drinking water clean. |
| 1. Setting up official nature trails | ||
| 2. Hiring local villagers as forest rangers | ||
| 3. Building an eco-lodge (hotel) near the park | ||
| 4. Creating a visitor education center |
Section 3: Teamwork on the Rapids!
To reach Ranomafana National Park, the eight children must kayak down a fast-flowing river. This requires incredible teamwork.
1. Rate the Rapids Traits: Below are three traits. Rate how important each trait was for the team to navigate the river safely (1 = Not Important, 5 = Extremely Important). Circle your choice!
- Listening to the guide and teammates: 1 2 3 4 5
- Going as fast as possible without looking: 1 2 3 4 5
- Encouraging teammates who feel scared: 1 2 3 4 5
2. Personal Reflection: Think of a time when you had to work with a group of people (family, classmates, or teammates) to complete a difficult task.
-
What was the "rapid" (the challenge) you faced?
-
How did you help your team get through it?
Section 4: Eco-Explorer Challenge (Optional Bonus)
Imagine you have been hired by Cetemada to design a bumper sticker or a poster that encourages tourists to protect humpback whales while visiting Madagascar.
-
Write a catchy slogan (a short, memorable phrase) for your design:
-
Describe what your design would look like:
Answer Key
Section 1: The Marine Mission & Eco-Tourism
- Matching concept: Protecting humpback whales (Cause) leads to A (Tourists visiting to see whales), which leads to B (Tourists spending money on food/guides), which leads to C (Local people getting jobs/better community resources). All elements are connected in a chain reaction.
- Example Student Response: When we protect whales, tourists come from all over the world to see them. These tourists need places to sleep, food to eat, and guides to show them around. This creates jobs for the villagers so they can earn money for their families while keeping nature safe.
Section 2: The Coexistence Balance (Accept reasonable variations)
- 1. Setting up official nature trails:
- Wildlife: Keeps tourists on one path so they don't step on rare plants or disturb animal nests.
- Humans: Keeps tourists safe from getting lost and creates jobs for trail builders/guides.
- 2. Hiring local villagers as forest rangers:
- Wildlife: Protects animals from illegal hunting (poaching) and keeps the habitat safe.
- Humans: Provides good, steady jobs for locals who already know the land well.
- 3. Building an eco-lodge (hotel) near the park:
- Wildlife: Lodges are built to be eco-friendly, causing less pollution and trash in animal habitats.
- Humans: Creates jobs in hospitality (cooking, cleaning, managing) and brings tourist money directly to the area.
- 4. Creating a visitor education center:
- Wildlife: Teaches people why animals are special, reducing harmful human behaviors.
- Humans: Provides schools and families with a place to learn about their local environment and pride in their heritage.
Section 3: Teamwork on the Rapids!
- Ratings:
- Listening: 5 (Extremely Important)
- Going fast without looking: 1 (Not Important/Dangerous)
- Encouraging others: 5 (Extremely Important)
- Personal Reflection: Student answers will vary. Look for a clear identification of a challenge and a constructive personal action that helped the group.
Section 4: Eco-Explorer Challenge
- Slogan Example: "Save the Giants, Support the Locals!" or "Protect the Oceans, Preserve the Future."
- Design Description Example: A drawing of a massive humpback whale tail splashing in the water with a small local boat watching safely from a distance, surrounded by green Madagascar palm trees.