The Case of the Disappearing Habitat:

the Candy Culprit

step 3:
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THE INVESTIGATION
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Videos produced by Laura Lee Bahr and Ezra Werb.

​Ask around. collect sources.
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1. Conduct an online search
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• You have the candy name and company, you have the ingredients, and you know what they are—​now it’s time to find out what kind of reputation your candy has.

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• What do outside sources say or write about the candy brand and the candy company?

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• ​​​Using keywords, like “deforestation” or “sustainability” or “palm oil production,” along with the company name, find at least 3 different sources that discuss the company’s environmental practices.


• Add this information to your case file.

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INVESTIGATOR’S NOTES:
​There are lots of consumer “scorecards” on environmental practices that you can use. If it is a big candy company, chances are there have been articles in major publications about them.

Collect these sources! Evaluate their credibility.

Note: A credible source backs its finding with evidence. It doesn’t necessarily mean that they don’t have a bias or an objective, but it does mean that they’ve done their research and that they’ve cited sources. A reputable publication or resource will also include an author’s name and the date of publication.

You’ve got your ingredients.

You’ve got your sources.
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2. Now go to the candy company website.
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• It's time to dig, detectives! You will need to search for the right page on the candy company website. As much as you may love their candy, you don't want their shopping page or website. Look for the corporate information page or website, where you should be able to find their sustainability practices. You may need to ask for assistance from a teacher, parent, or guardian in finding this information.
  
  
• ​Read what the company says about their practices. ​

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• Compare and evaluate what they say with the other sources that you found in Step 3.

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• What other products do they make?

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• Do you think this candy company is working to protect your animal client? ​Yes, no, or sometimes maybe. You are going to send them a “candy-gram” (well, an e-mail).

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​It’s time to find THE CANDY BOSS! ​​

​Go on to Step 4 of your Investigation

OR RETURN TO STEP 2

RETURN TO STEP 1

RETURN TO THE INTRODUCTION

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Copyright © New England Primate Conservancy 2020. You may freely use, copy and share these Learning Activities for educational purposes. 
​For questions or comments, e-mail us at info@neprimateconservancy.org.