Like any red-blooded science lover,  I jumped at the opportunity to apply for the summer institute the Woodrow Wilson Foundation was offering in Costa Rica.  Luckily, I was chosen along with 50 other teachers from across the country.  Here is a bit about me: I graduated from Jackson State University with a degree in Biology/Pre-medicine.   I am an alumn of the Teach For America (TFA) teacher corps. My TFA assignment was in Seattle Washington, where I taught Honors Biology, Biology,  Anatomy and Physiology, and Environmental Science at Rainier Beach High School. I am now entering year six of my teaching experience. I am currently a GLOBE teacher instructing high school biology, environmental science and math in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Presently, I am in the application process for a Masters in either Secondary Science Education or Secondary Counseling.
 
 

La Selva Biological Station
Organization for Tropical Studies
Saraopiqui, Costa Rica

Animal Planet!

The trip from San Jose has been quite a treat.  It is so interesting to see how the vegetation and soil color and gradients changes as we ascend  into the mountains. I have heard folks speak of their surreal moments in life, seeing the Grand Canyon, witnessing the birth of their children, becoming grandparents yadda, yadda, yadda. Mine? NIGHT SWAMPING! Entering the rain forest observing all the biodiversity around me while in pitch black darkness has got to be better than winning the lottery, (OK. not that great) :-)..... some of the few species I saw were the Harlequin Beetle ( larger than my hand, I have large hands!), a mimic of a coral snake, a tarantula, a huge wolf spider (also larger than my hand). I can't wait until tomorrow....

My first hike at La Selva. Every pore in my body is open, wide open! I never knew how hot, hot could be! I mean I must have lost every ounce of liquid, with the exception of the plasma in my blood! The day time at La Selva is like seeing a totally new forest.  I saw the infamous poison dart frog (aka "The Levi Jeans Frog"), it must be 100x smaller than it has been portrayed- I saw a millipede that when provoked it emits an almond smell. Yes, believe it or not almond extract. Smells so good you can eat it huh? Well I would if I could, but it produces cyanide compound. Imagine walking and seeing the animals that have been in your textbooks and discovery channel shows appear right before your very eyes! I still can't believe it.......

 I have decided that I will be working with Jim Wetterer, resident ant specialist.  Ants I don't have a problem with, gathering them in waist high grass,with all kinds of poisonous critters around, I do! the things we do in the name of science! :-).....
(Click here to see the summary of our project)
 
 
 

Las Cruses Biological Station
Organization for Tropical Studies
Costa Rica

Sensory Overload!

This place is gorgeous, we are now in the Wilson Botanical Garden.  The Club Med of all the stations. I never thought it was possible, but I think that I have arrived to a place I have often dreamt about; heaven! The colors that I see remind me of the images seen in that Kodak film commercial that came on television years ago. On the first day we took a hike through the entire Wilson Botanical Garden and to the Rio Java. What a wonderful exploration. Along the way, I observed many different species of lizards, butterflies and not to mention the enormous numbers of plant species. The highlight of the trip would have to be talking to the enthnbotanist. He gave such insight in his lecture discussing the link between modern medicine and plants. I can't wait to get back in the classroom to share this with my students.
(Click here to see the results of our project)
 
 

Palo Verde Biological Station
Organization for Tropical Studies
San Vito, Costa Rica

A Bug's Life!!!

The most dreaded, I mean challenging :-) stations of all Palo Verde.  I have never seen so many mosquitos in my life! Despite the rustic conditions, I find this site quite beautiful and peaceful. How many times in a lifetime can you wake up to howler monkeys, walk among the Black Iguana, observe "africanized" bees, see crocodiles in their natural habitat and view the most spectactular horizon ever seen. On our first day we hiked up the limestone cliffs of Palo Verde. The hike was one of the most vertically challenging I have been on to date. The view in the end made all my time hours well spent. I had the golden opportunity, along with my project group to observe a rarely seen endangered stork species, the Jabiru. There are about 40 here in Costa Rica, and are the national symbol of habitat restoration for the country.
(Click here to see the results of our project)

My ultimate goal for attending the institute to bring back tangible ecological experiences/lessons that I could use in the classroom. Each year in my environmental science course there is a month long lesson on the biomes of the Earth, the tropical rain forest being the most popular amoung my students. My experience will be an excellent supplement for lab investigations using the inquiry model, and also for witty anecdotes.

If you would like a more information or have any questions please feel free to e-mail me at bgirl72@yahoo.com
 

For other related sites click here:

Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation
Organization for Tropical Studies
National Science Foundation