The sights, smells …and tastes(!) of a tropical rainforest were brought to life for Year 8 students recently, during a ‘fascinating’ rainforest experience day.

 Geography pupils enjoyed the event as part of their exploration of Brazil and tropical rainforests. Dave Shaw, from the Rainforest Roadshow, staged a whole day of fun and thought-provoking activities, including talks on issues facing rainforest tribes and deforestation.

Head of Geography, Mr. Meek, said: “The aim of the day is to enable pupils to gain a greater understanding of this fascinating and endangered ecosystem.

“Dave has been a regular visitor to Monmouth School for Girls since 2008. His experiences, stories, photographs, insects, rainforest foods and tribal art add that extra dimension which enables pupils to fully appreciate these amazing ecosystems and the lives of its indigenous people.”

Dave Shaw is a trained entomologist and pupils were fascinated with the insects he presented and discussed. Highlights were the praying mantis, the red leg tarantula and the giant millipede. One year 8 pupil commented: “I loved holding the tarantula. The Roadshow was fascinating.”

Students also experienced ‘tastes’ of the rainforest with a guanábana drink, dried Snake Fruit and the infamous Durian Fruit. Its distinctive smell of onion, garlic and sulphur hides its sweet taste.

Mr. Meek added: “Indigenous tribes say ‘it tastes like heaven, but smells like hell.’

“It is a favourite of orang-utans and pupils also learnt that imports are rising from Malaysia to China. In the recent Year 9 field trip to the Bournville factory, pupils were informed about a new Dairy Milk bar flavoured with Durian!”

During the day, Mr. Shaw also spoke at length about current issues facing rainforests, including forest fires in the Amazon and the impacts of palm oil plantations and new dam projects. He concluded by encouraging pupils to research current issues and to voice their views and opinions through online petitions.

Speaking about the experience, a student said: “I found the workshop very interesting. I enjoyed learning about the rainforest tribes and how they get their food in a sustainable way. I also enjoyed meeting and learning about some of the amazing plants and animals that live in rainforests.”

Year 8 will be researching rainforest tribes and palm oil in follow-up classwork with Mr. Jones and Mrs. Harper.