Peace Corps

Barren Fields

Peace Corps Challenge Game

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  • Subject(s): Language Arts & Literature, Social Studies & Geography, Environment & Health, Science
  • Grade Level(s): 6–8, 9–12

Overview

Enhance the experiences from the barren fields challenge of the Peace Corps Challenge game with lesson plans and additional resources from World Wise Schools.

Background Information

Factoids from the Game:

  • Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda, Afghanistan, China, India, Iran, Morocco, and Pakistan have all suffered from the effects of drought in recent years. Estimates suggest that tens of millions of people are at risk from persistent droughts worldwide. Source: UNICEF
  • According to recent estimates, slash and burn agriculture is practiced by 240 million to 500 million people on nearly half the land area in the tropics. Source: College of Natural Resources, Virginia Tech
  • Peace Corps Volunteers help farmers improve local diets and increase income through farming techniques consistent with environmental conservation. They work with farmers to improve soil quality, conserve water, develop fisheries, keep bees and produce honey, raise organic vegetables, and educate the community about nutrition. Source: Peace Corps

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Procedures

Play the barren fields challenge.

Watch Peace Corps Volunteers Cory Owens and Clare Major show how they worked alongside farmers in Senegal to improve their yield and help them organize in The Growing Challenge in Senegal.

Lesson plan:
Madagascar Adventure (Grades 6-8)
Grouped in small research teams, students will simulate a trip to Madagascar through the Water in Africa resources and other related websites.

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Framework and Standards

Standards

National Content Standards:

  • English Language Arts Standards
    • Standard 1
  • National Science Education Standards
    • Content Standard F: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives
  • Social Studies:
    • Theme I: Culture and Cultural Diversity
    • Theme III : People, Places, and Environments
    • Theme IX: Global Connections

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