Landcare Research - Manaaki Whenua

Landcare-Research -Manaaki Whenua

Adventures in Biocontrol

Summary

Students play a game of Snakes and Ladders to learn about some of the successes and challenges developing biocontrol in New Zealand.

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to:

  • Describe the steps of finding a new biocontrol agent.
  • Explain why a potential biocontrol agent may be rejected.
  • Identify 3 challenges to developing a new biocontrol agent.

Suggested prior lessons

  • What is a weed?
  • Cultivating weeds
  • Choose your weapon
  • Web of life

Curriculum Connections

Science, levels 3-8; Social studies, levels 3-7

Vocabulary/concepts

biocontrol agent, containment, Environmental Protection Authority, establish, natural enemy, release

Time

1 hour

Materials

  • copies of Adventures in Biocontrol game board (1 per group of 4 students)
  • small objects for game pieces
  • dice (1 per group of 4 students)