Activity for The Guide: A Biologist in Gorongosa

Resource Type
Description
This activity explores conservation biology topics presented in the short film The Guide: A Biologist in Gorongosa. This film tells the story of Tonga Torcida, a young man who discovers his passion for science in the newly revitalized Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique.
Growing up near Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique, Tonga Torcida dreamed of becoming a tour guide at the park. But when he meets ant biologist E. O. Wilson, his views of the world around him, and of his future, change drastically. Tonga decides to pursue a career in science and work to ensure that the park is enjoyed by future generations. The film weaves themes in conservation biology and environmental science, the value of scientific mentorship, and the social and economic realities of wilderness restoration. The “Student Handout” probes students’ understanding of the key concepts addressed in the film. The “Educator Materials” document provides suggested pause points in the film with questions for students, background information, and detailed discussion points; a list of related resources and references; and an answer key for the “Student Handout.”
Student Learning Targets
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Explain the importance of protected areas for conserving wildlife.
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Interpret data to explain how human activity has affected Gorongosa National Park.
Estimated Time
Key Terms
Africa, bioblitz, biodiversity, careers in science, conservation, wildlife
Terms of Use
The resource is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license. No rights are granted to use HHMI’s or BioInteractive’s names or logos independent from this Resource or in any derivative works.
Version History
NGSS (2013)
HS-LS2-6, HS-LS2-7, HS-LS4-5, HS-ESS3-4; SEP6
AP Biology (2019)
ENE-4.B, SYI-1.H, SYI-3.G; SP2, SP4
IB Biology (2016)
C.1, C.4
AP Environmental Science (2020)
Topic(s): 2.1, 3.8, 9.9, 9.10
Learning Objectives & Practices: ERT-2.A, EIN-1.C, EIN-4.B, EIN-4.C, SP1, SP2, SP5, SP7
IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)
3.1, 3.3, 3.4
Common Core (2010)
ELA.RST.9-12.2, ELA.WHST.9-12.9
Vision and Change (2009)
CC5; DP1
Educator Tips

The Guide

Gorongosa Interactive Timeline
