Activity

1. Where is Madagascar? Find it on a map and learn more about this beautiful country at: The World Fact Book at: http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ma.html or the Madagascar Page at: http://www.sas.upenn.edu/African_Studies/Country_Specific/Madagascar.html Report on your findings with a map and report about the history, land and peoples of this remote island.
   
   
2. The fauna (animals) and flora (plants) of Madagascar are remarkable. Some animals occur only on this island. From lemurs to chameleons to rare tropical plants, the diversity and rarity of the wildlife of Madagascar is worth investigating. Learn about some of the rare species and report about them. Many Internet sites exist on this topic, though most are commercial sites selling tours to the island. All have useful information, but here are two about conserving the island's animals and plants: The Wilds of Madagascar at: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/madagascar/dispatches/20000530.html or at Greentours at: http://membres.lycos.fr/greentours/fauna/ .
   
   
3. Learn more about the geology and formation of caves in karst lands. How do caves form? How long does it usually take? What are the names of cave formations (speleothems)? What kinds of animals live in caves? How do they survive without sunshine? What about exploring caves? What are the safety rules? How about our state's caves? This study of caves could become a large research project and will need to be narrowed down. Pick one of these topics and learn more the following Web sites:
   
   Karst and Caves of Madagascar at: http://main.amu.edu.pl/~sgp/gw/hd/madaga.htm Caving Info at: http://www.guanopage.com/info/caveinfo.html
   Onondaga Cave State Park at: http://www.mostateparks.com/onondaga/cavesformed.htm
   Cave Geology at: http://www.missouri.edu/~jad4bc/geology.htm
   
   
4. Make a map of Missouri's show caves. These are commercial caves that give tours. Find a highway map and glue it to poster board or cardboard. Place pushpins on the map wherever Missouri show caves can be found. Name them and give additional information when necessary. Many of these caves have their own Web sites. For a complete list go to Cave State Caves for Everyone at: http://www.umsl.edu/~joellaws/ozark_caving/mss/comcaves.htm
   
   
5. What is a food chain or food pyramid? Learn more about this important ecology concept and make drawings of examples of them. What does a cave food pyramid look like? Good resources are found at: Alien Explorers at: http://www.alienexplorer.com/ecology/topic4.html or at Bigchalk.com at: http://www.bigchalk.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/WOPortal.woa/Homework/High_School/
   Science/Life_Science/Animals_Environment_(Ecology)/Food_Chains_Webs_48480.html
   
   
6. In Belize, the bite of the assassin beetle causes Chagas disease. What is Chagas disease? Learn more about it and report to your classmates on the symptoms and treatments or cures of this dread tropical disease. Look at these Web sites: Chagas Disease at: http://www.who.int/tdr/diseases/chagas/default.htm or the Chagas Disease Fact Sheet at; http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/chagasdisease/factsht_chagas_disease.htm
   
   

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