Three school pupils stood around each other looking at evidence bags

School Workshop: Jungle Connections

Students are challenged to explore their connections with the rainforests of the world by exploring Eden’s own jungle, in this workshop for years 7-9.

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Workshop overview

What happens in the workshop

The challenge starts with a review of students’ knowledge of rainforests and a hands-on activity to stimulate thinking about our connections to the rainforest and some of the associated issues. Students spend up to an hour in the Rainforest Biome, experiencing the reality of the tropical climate and finding further examples of their rainforest connections.

On returning to the classroom we take the story of chocolate as an example for analysing trade relationships in more detail and investigating our power as consumers to make a difference.

Kingsley School

“ Brilliantly links the opportunity to connect with wonderful plants found in regions thousands of miles away with a fuller understanding about the importance of living more sustainably within environmental limitations. ”

Practical information

This workshop enables students to:

Identify a range of rainforest products and resources used by humans and explain the important role that rainforests play in our lives.
Discuss how local and global economic activity affects the rainforest.
Propose and justify suggestions for equitable sharing of profits within the context of the trade in a valuable global commodity (cocoa).
Explain how consumers can influence trade relationships.

We've designed the workshop to help teachers cover the following subject areas:

In KS3 Geography, students should understand human geography relating to: population and urbanisation; international development; economic activity in the primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary sectors; and the use of natural resources.
Students should understand how human and physical processes interact to influence, and change landscapes, environments and the climate; and how human activity relies on effective functioning of natural system.

The workshop costs £8.25 per pupil, with a minimum charge of £165 per group (includes VAT). Maximum group size is 35. The cost includes:

a facilitated workshop with our Education Team
free access to the Eden site for the day
all equipment needed for the workshop
free teaching resources enabling your class to prepare for the workshop and to follow up on the activity (download a sample copy)
a personal welcome from the Education Team at the entrance
a base for your bags in our purpose-built education centre, The Core
a space to eat your own lunch

The price includes free entry for accompanying adult helpers, whose participation is essential to the success of the day (please note our suggested adult/pupil ratios are as follows: Early Years Foundation Stage, 1:3; Key Stage 1, 1:6; Key Stage 2 and 3, 1:10; Key Stage 4, 1:15; Key Stage 5, 1:20). You’re welcome to bring more helpers if you’d like. Additional helpers are charged at our group booking rate.

We also offer a free preparatory visit to Eden for teachers wanting to plan their school trip, which should be booked in advance.

Unforgettable school trips

Primary teacher

“ I was really impressed with the workshop delivery, which was focussed and lively with a good range of activities, open-ended questions and opportunities for discussion. ”