Treasures of the rainforest

Learn about the diverse rainforest habitat, where it occurs on the planet, and the plants that are found there. Take measurements to compare conditions in the wider Garden and the tropical house and discover just how important the rainforest is for the planet.

In the second part of the workshop we focus on everyone’s favourite rainforest product, chocolate, learning about the first people to discover it, how it is farmed today and how our consumer choices can help the rainforest and support farmers.

This workshop is available year round.

• Learn where rainforests are found on a world map 
• Discover which plants grow in rainforests 
• Experience the rainforest habitat in our glasshouses and take measurements  
• Learn about the weather conditions in the rainforests and how plants cope with them 
• Identify that areas around the Equator have different weather conditions to the UK 
• Learn about economic plants from the rainforest 
• Find out about the manufacture of chocolate 
• Discover the principles of Fairtrade and how the choices they make as consumers affect farmers 
• Taste different types of chocolate and vote on their favourites

This workshop supports the following sections of the National Curriculum:

Science

• Sc3/2.1a identify and describe the functions of different parts of flowering plants: roots, stem/trunk, leaves and flowers
• Sc3/2.1b explore the requirements of plants for life and growth (air, light, water, nutrients from soil, and room to grow) and how they vary from plant to plant
• Sc4/2.1c recognise that environments can change and that this can sometimes pose dangers to living things.
• Sc6/2.3c identify how animals and plants are adapted to suit their environment in different ways and that adaptation may lead to evolution.
• Working Scientifically 

Geography

• Ge2/1.1a locate the world’s countries, using maps to focus on Europe (including the location of Russia) and North and South America, concentrating on their environmental regions, key physical and human characteristics, countries, and major cities
• Ge2/1.1c identify the position and significance of latitude, longitude, Equator, Northern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere, the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, Arctic and Antarctic Circle, the Prime/Greenwich Meridian and time zones (including day and night)
• Ge2/1.2a understand geographical similarities and differences through the study of human and physical geography of a region of the United Kingdom, a region in a European country, and a region in North or South America
• Ge2/1.3a describe and understand key aspects of physical geography, including: climate zones, biomes and vegetation belts, rivers, mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes, and the water cycle
• Ge2/1.4a use maps, atlases, globes and digital/computer mapping to locate countries and describe features studied

Citizenship

• Preparing to play an active role as citizens

If you are looking for ideas of activities to self-lead in the Garden after your workshop ends, we recommend:

• Global Tree Trail
• Observational Walk
• Look, stop, draw