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As part of a four teacher team from Dekalb County, Georgia, I had eagerly anticipated our Costa Rica trip since being notified in February of our acceptance. I have taught Biology, Chemistry, Physical Science, and Environmental Science at Lithonia High School in Lithonia, Georgia for the past four years. I will be teaching at Collins Hill High School in Gwinnett County, Georgia during the next school year have a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA. I received my Master of Arts in Teaching - Secondary Science from Piedmont College in Demorest, GA on May 8, 1999. I have also been a GLOBE teacher since 1997. If you have any questions please click here to e-mail me.
I would like to thank the following organizations for their making this learning experience possible:
One of the first stops our group made outside of San Jose was at
the Volcan Poas Crater. This is an active volcano with a lake that has
a pH of 1. Upon returning to San Jose we visited the National Museum where
we saw exhibits of pre Colombian artifacts. This was a very nice way to
end our stay in San Jose. The morning of July 17th saw is ready to begin
our journey to the lowland tropical rainforest of La Selva.
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Volcan Poas Crater |
La Selva Biological Station
Our arrival at La Selva
was eagerly anticipated. The sounds, smells, and sites were overwhelming.
We arrived about 11:00 a.m. and after a short lunch we toured a local banana
plantation and were given a very informative tour of the fields and processing/packing
area. The next day we began our orientation to the trails at La Selva.
The diversity of plants was amazing and the insects and other organisms
were too numerous to count. As I walked along the trails each turn brought
something new, a sloth high in a tree, a coati in an open area, or leafcutter
ants marching by with lavender pieces of flowers. The opportunity to talk
with people that have conducted research in this area was a real pleasure.
Our short project consisted of a study of the relationship between a species
of Azteca ants and cecropia trees. I had very little knowledge
of ants in trees until this project. Our group studied the specific relationship
between colony success and the possession of mealy bugs (Homopterans).
Our stay at La Selva ended with a day hike with other members of our team.
The diversity of plants and animals is incredible with new species being
discovered and researched. Below you can see an image of the Stone Bridge
that crosses the Rio Sarapiqui
at the La Selva station.
Las Cruces Biological Station
Our trip to Las Cruces from La Selva was quite an event. We left at 7:30 a.m. and arrived in Las Cruces at 6:00 p.m. We were able to cross the Telemanca Mountains at approximately 3300 meters (10,000 ft.). The temperature change was dramatic. We left 80 degrees F at La Selva and experienced 55 degrees F on the mountain pass with a 20-30 mph wind blowing. Las Cruces is located near San Vito in southwestern Costa Rica about 6 Km from the border with Panama. The Wilson Botanical Gardens are located here. This is an area completely opposite of La Selva. The humidity is less and the temperatures are in the high 70's to low 80's F. This is a fragmented tropical montane rainforest where you can see an exhibit of a variety of plant life from around the world. While at Las Cruces we studied the effects of fragmentation on the rainforest and what is being done to restore more of the land to forest. There are numerous coffee and cattle farms in the area. I did learn that there are two ways coffee is grown. One is with a variety that grows well in the sun and is called sun coffee. The other variety is called shade coffee and requires large trees to provide shade during the day. One of the highlights of our stay here was watching the amazing number of hummingbirds that visited the various flowers in the garden.
Palo Verde Biological Station
Palo Verde is located in the Guanacaste Province
in northwestern Costa Rica near the Gulf of Nicoya. The area is bordered
on the west by the Rio Tempisque and on the east by extensive pastures
and rice fields. The park was once a huge cattle ranch and covers about
20,000 hectares (44,000 acres). The number of birds in the area is amazing.
there are wood storks, several species of egrets, herons, ducks, and raptors.
The area is relatively low lying with a few limestone hills surrounding
the station.
The climate is warm like La Selva, but not as humid. This area receives
about the same amount of rainfall as the Atlanta area does each year (1.5m
or 55 inches). The diversity of plants and animals is also less diverse
but they are easily seen. Especially the Howler monkeys that visit the
station about every other day or two. They are extremely relaxed around
people if you are still and quiet. The Rio Tempisque has several large
crocodiles living near the park border. These reptiles are usually seen
basking in the sunshine on the bank during the late afternoon and can be
safely observed by boat.
This has been the most beneficial learning experience I have had the opportunity to participate in. This trip has given me a greater understanding of ecosystems and how they work. I only hope I can put into words all that I have seen and heard while in Costa Rica.
Projects
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