Contextualization

The Amazon is a biome that occupies a large part of the territory of South American countries. It is a place rich in biodiversity, with an immeasurable amount of plant and animal species, many of which have not yet been discovered or adequately studied. For this reason, the Amazon is of great importance for global environmental balance and, consequently, for life on the planet as a whole.

Additionally, the Amazon is a place of great economic importance. It is where large quantities of natural resources, such as minerals and wood, are found, which are exploited and used for the production of goods and services. The Amazon is also home to many indigenous communities, quilombolas, and other traditional communities that develop sustainable agro-extractive practices, preserving the forest and its resources.

Introduction

However, the economic exploitation of the Amazon brings with it many environmental impacts. Deforestation, pollution of rivers and soils, and loss of biodiversity are just some of the problems caused by unsustainable exploitation of the Amazon. Furthermore, the economic exploitation of the Amazon also has social impacts, often negative, on the communities living in the region.

Therefore, it is of great importance that we, as a society, make an effort to better understand the Amazon, its biomes, the economy that develops there, and the environmental impacts that this economy causes. This understanding is essential for us to develop more sustainable ways of exploiting the resources of the Amazon and, at the same time, preserving its rich biodiversity and the lives of the communities that inhabit it.

Practical Activity: Analysis of the Amazon Biome, Impacts, and Sustainable Solutions"

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to carry out a deep and comprehensive analysis of the Amazon biome, its environmental and economic impacts, as well as the existing sustainable solutions. This project aims to develop research skills, teamwork, socio-environmental awareness, and the ability to suggest possible practical solutions.

Project Description

Groups, composed of 3 to 5 students, should divide tasks with specific assignments for each member, ensuring the effective participation of all. The project will be divided into three phases to facilitate task coordination and management.

Phase 1: Research and Analysis

Students should research and analyze the following topics:

• Characterization of the Amazon biome;
• The role and importance of the natural resources available in the Amazon for the economy;
• The environmental impacts related to economic exploitation in the Amazon.

Phase 2: Production of a three-dimensional physical model (maquette) of the Amazon

The maquette should represent the Amazon biome and indicate the areas of economic exploitation and the impacts, whether environmental or social, caused by the exploitation.

Phase 3: Proposals for Sustainability

Based on the research and analysis, students will propose sustainable solutions to minimize the economic and environmental impacts related to economic exploitation in the Amazon.

Necessary Materials

• Computers with internet access for research
• Basic office supplies (paper, pencils, pens)
• Maquette materials (cardboard, glue, paint, among others)
• Camera to document the process and the final product

Step by Step

1. Division of tasks among group members.
2. Conducting research based on the suggested topics.
3. Each member should take notes of the main information and sources.
4. Group gathering to share and discuss the collected information.
5. Start building the maquette, creatively representing the studied elements.
6. Discussion and proposal of sustainable solutions, based on the collected information.
7. Documentation of the process and final product, with the help of a camera.
8. Writing the final report, organizing the collected information, the proposed solutions, and the description of the maquette construction process.

Deliverables

Groups should deliver:

1. Three-dimensional physical maquette.
2. Final report containing:
   • Introduction: The student must contextualize the theme, its relevance and real-world application, as well as the objective of this project.
   • Development: The student must explain the theory behind the central theme(s) of the project, detail the activity, indicate the methodology used, and finally present and discuss the results obtained.
   • Conclusion: The student must conclude the work by summarizing its main points, explaining the learnings obtained, and drawing conclusions about the project.
   • Bibliography: The student must indicate the sources they relied on to work on the project, such as books, web pages, videos, etc.

The report should not only present the collected information but also critically reflect on the economic and socio-environmental impacts of economic exploitation in the Amazon. The report should also include a photographic (or video) record of the maquette construction, showing the process and the final product.