I teach biological science at Horace Mann Middle School in Los Angeles, California . I have been teaching there for three years. I recieved the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship to explore the rainforest in Costa Rica, as well as to explore new avenues to teaching science in a more inspired way.  I could think of no greater inspiration than the rainforest!

La Selva was the OTS station we first visited. The Organization for Tropical Studies  runs this station and is responsible for a great deal of the content we recieved during this  trip. La Selva was an absolutely awesome place to be. The rainforest itself was incredible, while the species diversity I observed was overwhelming.  I had only seen poison dart frogs in posters and brochures.  These are the beautiful red frogs with the blue legs... they were everywhere! The whole group at La Selva was treated to a nightwalk; rubber boots, headlamp and all! Our OTS guide was Tom Langen, who was a superb choice for leader.His knowledge about the science and history of  the biodiversity  in the rainforest was profoundly valuable.  He helped bring the rainforest alive!

The academic atmostphere at La Selva was palpable.  I enjoyed being in a place that was so electric. Student researchers as well as world class scientists were everywhere.  They graciously shared their knowledge- as well as lab space. We were able to plan research projects, and had every possible scientific tool we could need to carry them out.  WWNF and OTS supplied us with great reference books as well.  My group choose to compare the species diversity in bromeliads in a primary versus secondary forest.  We spent three days travailing the rainforest searching for adequate specimens of bromeliads.  We researched other studies in order to get more backround information, and ended up with a wonderful paper.  Memories of days as a student came back  to me as I  scrambled to finish the paper, and prepare the presentation.

Leaving La Selva was hard! I felt so happy there.  The wobbly bridge , the beautiful rainforest.... even encountering two baby fer de lances on the trails leading to my room all stick with me. I knew when I left that I would be coming back to La Selva, someday! Thank you NSF,  WWNFF, and OTS for making this trip possible.

Palo Verde  was the second OTS site we visited while in Costa Rica.  The drive to Palo Verde was beautiful. We saw Arenal, the volcano. It was a spectacular site.  Palo Verde looked and felt much different from La Selva. I almost felt like I was back in California.  The OTS guide was Philip Hensel, who was a marvelously gracious and enthusiastic individual.  He made the experience at Palo Verde wonderful.  He presented us with unique project ideas. My group decided to work with  Pochote trees.  It turns out that there is very little known about these trees. My group analyzed the spine densities at varying altitudes to see if there was any significance. It turns out that many cows used to graze at lower altitudes, so the trees may have evolved these spines in order to  prevent cows from bothering them.  Nature is fascinating.

I explored other areas of Palo Verde in the days I was there, and it soon  became a gorgeous place to me.  We had meadows and marshes and beautiful dry forests.  The group took a river boat trip that looked exactly like a scene from the movie the Mosquito Coast. We saw Howler monkeys and  White Faced monkeys on the trees at the riverside.  Crocodiles were lounging along the banks of the river as well.  Oh, and let me not forget the mosquitoes.  I am pleased to say that the mosquitoes at Palo Verde were thrilled that I was there.  The pay off was wonderful, though- bites and all.

I left Palo Verde feeling very sad as well.  The cooks Sadie and Vibianna were loving people that created a very family atmosphere at Palo Verde.  I will miss them, the Pochote trees, the high school students we gave our presentations to, as well as the beautiful atmosphere.

Las Cruces! What a treat!  This place feels like a resort, with the beautiful accomodations and botanical gardens.  I missed the rainforest from La Selva,  but here it is again! A little different, but a rainforest non the less.  I love it here! Jim Wetterer and his wife Andrea are the OTS people. Jim has such a wealth of information... and enthusiasm to match. I did my research project on birds: checking out species  diversity in the fragments.  We joined a Stanford researcher named Cagan who was absolutely wonderful.  He allowed my group to experience the various parts his field research first hand.  He was gracious and kind, and gave our group invaluable field research experience.

You can contact me at jdaulatzai@yahoo.com .