 |
The New Explorers
This episode of New Explorers follows ethnobotanist Dr. Mark Plotkin deep into the Amazonian rainforest. Plotkin is in search of plants that can be used in modern medicine. Host Bill Kurtis joins Plotkin as he discovers plants and medicines that are new to modern medicine, but ancient history to the indigenous tribes of the rainforest who befriend Plotkin. 20th Century Medicine Man would be useful for classes on Biology, Botany, Cultural Anthropology, Ecology and Geography. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.
20th Century Medicine Man
Vocabulary
Discussion Questions
-
Disease has plagued humanity for all its history. How is disease an historical agent?
-
How can it determine the course of history as much as any political event?
-
Dr. Plotkin spoke of the rainforest tribe's shaman as a man to be respected. What is a shaman? What is his or her western counterpart?
-
Inhabitants of the rainforest, like people everywhere, have different roles for men and women. Discuss the gender roles of the tribes of the rainforest.
-
Dr. Plotkin is an ethnobotanist. What is an ethnobotanist? How is ethnobotany a basis of modern medicine?
-
People in different parts of the world live very different lifestyles. Discuss how your life is different than the lives of people in the rainforest.
-
It takes more than a vast knowledge of plants to be an ethnobotanist. What does it take to be a good ethnobotanist?
-
Why is Dr. Plotkin so unique?
-
There is a race against time to gather the knowledge of the Amazonian tribes before they no longer exist. Why are Amazonian tribes disappearing?
-
Why is the rainforest so unique?
Extended Activities
-
Imagine that you are a member of an Amazonian tribe. Describe your daily life and routines.
-
Research some plants that are used for modern medicines and make a chart illustrating the plants and their uses.
Related Videos
|
