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Forest Discovery Mission

Action Challenge

15+ minutes / Inside and Outside

Your class will become forest scientists sent to ‘collect data’ from their senses in a newly discovered forest, inspired by how orangutans use their senses to explore their home forests. 

Learning outcome: Pupils will learn to move and communicate creatively through a sensory journey in nature. They will develop coordination, spatial awareness and teamwork while using physical activity to communicate mood, environment, and emotion.

 

HBN FAQ Slice

Instructions

  • Watch the video as a class.
     
  • Let the class know they are going to go on their own forest discovery mission!
     
  • Ideally outside in nature, put pupils into small groups.
     
  • Share that they must imagine and act out a journey through a ‘forest’ environment, focusing on the sensory experience of nature and the animals they find there; what do you see, hear, smell, and feel (e.g. happy, carefree, creative).

  • Share that orangutans in the forest of Borneo, like those in the video stimuli, also use their senses to explore the forest; this is how they find places to eat, sleep and play!

    Either:

  • If time allows, groups could lead the rest of their class on a journey through their forest, sharing their observations and feelings.
     
  • Or ask groups to pair up with someone in another group and share what they experienced in their ‘forest’.

Adaptations

  • Provide prompts such as “I hear a rustle, what could it be?” and “Did anyone hear that bird?”
     
  • Verbal discussion instead of physical task: ask for a single observation from each pupil.
     
  • Complete indoors: use class discussion or partner/group mind map if in the classroom.

Extensions

  • If exploring nature/outdoor environment, also examine nature around you e.g. leaves, bugs, rocks.
     
  • Lead your own mission at home – take a walk in nature and share your senses exploration with your family.
     
  • Role-play interviews with ‘scientists’ (each other, other classes).

Orangutan Nest Designer

Creative Challenge

5+ minutes / Inside 

Orangutans are master nest builders – can your pupils give them a run for their money?

Learning outcome: Pupils will use art, design and technology to solve problems by designing and making orangutan-style nests. They will develop motor skills, teamwork, and creative problem-solving while applying knowledge of materials and 3D structures.

Instructions

  • Distribute paper and pencils (or crafting materials of your choice).
     
  • Share with pupils that orangutans are master nest builders – every night they build shelters high in the forest canopy using branches and leaves - quickly, with limited resources, and using clever techniques.
     
  • Let them know they have 5 minutes to draw/design what they think an orangutan shelter might look like (on paper).
     
  • If you have time, ask each group/pair to talk about their nest, how it’s made, what materials they used, and how it is structured.

Adaptations

  • Change to a different animal shelter which is more familiar or locally relevant, e.g. birds nest.

Extensions

  • Create a hand-sized model e.g. using sticks or pencils and blue tack.
     
  • Research different animal shelters and compare them and the forests they exist in.
     
  • Adopt an orangutan as a class and get more information about orangutans. 

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