JATUN SACHA JOURNAL

1. Research: What are the characteristics of a rainforest (rainfall, plant life, animal
life, etc)?

2. Research: What are some threats to the Ecuadorian Amazon Forest areas?

3. Research: We are going to a private reserve controlled by a foundation known as

Jatun Sacha. Look up the Jatun Sacha Foundation and Reserve and write some general
information about both of them.

4. Research: Why is it important to preserve private reserves?

5. What is one specific thing you were most worried or not excited about on this trip
before you left Quito? Explain why.

6. What one thing was most difficult for you being away from the city and in the
forest? Explain why.

7. What were some interesting plant remedies that you learned about in the CCPA
or during walks in the forest?

8. Would you be happy to be treated with medicinal plants, rather than conventional
medicines? Explain your answer.

9. Why is reforestation important? What types of reforestation activities did you take
part in? What was hard about it? Easy? Fun?

10. What was the best experience on the night walk? Did you expect something
different on the night walk? Elaborate.

11. In the second afternoon you collected real data in the way that scientists collect
their data in the field. How was the experience? Decide upon 3 adjectives which best
describe your experience of collecting data in the forest.

12. What are your opinions about permanent tattoos? Are tattoos something which
you would be happy living with?

13. We visited different Quichua communities. What did they do for us? What did you
see? What were interesting parts of these experiences? Describe some of your reflections
about the visits. What was the most significant impact that the visits had on you?

14. On the bus ride home, did you feel excited to go home? Sad that the trip was
over? Explain your emotions.

Reflections

15. Overall, did you enjoy the trip? Why or why not?
 16. What was your favourite activity? Explain why.

17. What was your least favourite activity? Explain why.

18. Would you go on the trip again? Or a similar trip in the future? Why or why not?

19. Do you think academic trips should be done in all grades? Why?

20. Did you have to receive any punishments/consequences during the trip? If yes,
what were they and what were they for?

21. What was your favourite moment on this trip with a classmate? With one of your
teachers?

22. Has your relationship with any of your classmates or teachers changed? Is it a
positive or negative change? Do you see any of your classmates or teachers differently now?

23. Did anything surprise you about one of your classmates or teachers during the
trip? Elaborate.

24. Think about the social dynamic of your group. What are three strengths? What
are three things that could be improved? Explain.

25. If you could change some aspect(s) of the trip, what would you change to make it
better?