Treasure Hunts


Land Mines and Unexploded Bombs -- a Global Issue

Introduction

Recently National Public Radio produced a show about the problem of land mines left over from the Vietnam War, in Laos, from over 25 years ago. Thousands of people have been killed or maimed by mines and unexploded bombs-- even children who find them at play. Since the Vietnam War there have been literally hundreds of wars on the planet, each using increasingly dangerous weapons, many of which have a half-life of hundreds of years. This web search will lead to investigative reports on the legacy of wars of the late 20th century and what can be done about it.

Guiding Question

What can an ordinary citizen do regarding the problem of land mines?

Questions

1. Where are mines and unexploded bombs a major problem?
A. In Asia?
B. In Latin America?
C. In Europe?
D. In Africa?
2. How did they get there and when?
3. What is the extent of injury to humans in the post-war years?
4. What economic and environmental damage do the mines and bombs do? Exploded and unexploded?
5. What local efforts are being made to remove the mines and bombs?
6. What techniques/procedures are used?
7. What international efforts are being made to deal with the problem?
8. Are any efforts being made to involve the countries/ forces responsible for these explosives in the cleanup efforts?
9. What companies/countries manufacture mines/bombs? What other products do these companies make?
10. Does the U.S. government take a position on the use of mines/bombs? On a treaty banning them?
11. What do editorial writers in major papers and magazines have to say on the issue?

Internet Resources

GICHD
Land Mines - Where they are
Land Mines - History
Land Mine Survivors Network
Effects
People
ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS
GICHD studies - Socio-economics
People Against Landmines
Action
United Nations Mine Action Service
Executive Summary LM2000
KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MINE BAN TREATY
U.S. Policy
Getting Rid of Land Mines
Deadly Legacy
More information

Activities

  1. Select a continent where land mines are an issue and draw a map showing affected countries. Annotate cities with source information about conflicts.
  2. Make a sketch of a land mine and how it works.
  3. Write a justification for the continued use of land mines from a military perspective.
  4. Write a biography about a person who has survived an explosion.
  5. Make a graph showing the estimated number of land mines in countries around the world.
  6. Write a poem in the person of a parent who must live in an area where mines and bombs are a danger.
  7. Write a journal in the persona of a "sapper," a person who searches for and dismantles land mines.
  8. Write a newspaper feature about a person who is working with victims of land mines.
  9. Draw up a list of actions that private citizen could take to address the land mine issue.
  10. Write a letter to a U.S. Congress member, urging him or her to take a certain position on the issue.


Mike Monley, Teacher, and Trevor Claiborne, AP student, collaborated to develop this web hunt.


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