Overview

In this module, students experienced what it would be like to leave their home environment and make a new home in a cave.  The students were exposed to living without the typical amenities of modern day life.  They experienced a variety of problems and issues associated with becoming cave dwellers as well as survival techniques in stressful situations. The module enabled the students to better appreciate our current standards of living and to broaden their life experiences.

 

Guiding Questions

What natural characteristics would make for a suitable temporary home?

What is the difference between survival as an organism and existence as a civilized community?

How would you make the transition from your present day life to temporary life in a cave?

 

Experiences

Reflection Opportunities

The students were given an opportunity in each learning experience to reflect by writing about their feelings and /or experiences in a journal.  This journal was used as a diary of the transition from their home to cave living and back to their home again.  They were encouraged to dramatize situations when given various problem scenarios in their cave. 

Newsflash!

In order to gain the participants attention and set up the emergency scenario, students viewed a mock news release from the mayor ordering mandatory evacuation to the nearby caves.  At the conclusion of the workshop, there was another mock news release stating that the emergency conditions had been rectified, and it was safe for students to return to their respective homes.

 

Curious Caves

Participants took a virtual tour of famous caves all over the world. They discussed how various caves were formed throughout history and conducted an experiment to visualize how caves were formed using clay and sugar cubes.

 

Creative Cave Formations

Participants viewed a PowerPoint presentation on stalactites and stalagmites.  They conducted an experiment using yarn and Epsom salt solution in order to watch stalactites and stalagmites grow throughout the day.  They used brown craft paper to actually form stalactites and stalagmites to place in the “cave city”. 

 

I’m A Survivor

Participants created a master list of what was physically necessary for human survival.  They were given a “survival kit” containing common household items such as rubber bands, handkerchiefs, etc.  They used their kits throughout the day in various situations to creatively overcome adversity and “survive” their experience temporarily living in a cave.

 

City Set Up and Job Assignments

Participants discussed what jobs would be of importance once everyone had evacuated to the secluded cave city.  They took in to consideration that modern day amenities would not be available, and that everyone must work together to make life possible.  Each participant selected a job title from a cup and provided reasons as to why his or her job was important.  For the rest of the day, the participants will took on that role.

 

Clever Cave Art

Participants viewed a virtual tour of Lascaux cave and the art.  After talking about what types of animals and pictures might be found on the walls of a cave, the participants transformed into cave artists! Brown craft paper will be used as their canvas.  Once finished, the participants’ art was placed on the wall to form one, huge cave wall completely decorated with cave art!

 

Funky Fossils

Participants discussed how fossils are formed and what makes it possible for them to exist.  They used modeling clay, small objects, and plaster of Paris to create their own fossils. 

 

Tool Time

Living in a cave without guns for protection and hunting (for food) could be very difficult.  Also, painting art in the cave without modern paintbrushes might seem impossible to some.  Therefore, the cave dwellers (participants) were challenged to use only cardboard and string to build a truly useful tool or weapon for hunting or painting.

           

Junk Pile

A large box full of “junk” items was available for the cave dwellers (participants) to search through and take away junk items of their choice.  The junk pile included a variety of items such as fabric, rubber bands, sticks, and much more.  The cave dwellers (participants) used this “junk’ to make objects that may be functional for them to use in the cave.   

 

Bats

In this lesson, participants identified bat habitats and the characteristics of bats.