First Visit to Costa Rica - February 2002
Costa Rica
First Visit to Costa Rica -- February 2002
Overview
Holbrook
Travel is an industry leader, offering innovative educational programs
giving teachers and students rare opportunities to learn by experience. Since
1974, they've guided over 25,000 students to the far reaches of the world.
They’ve also taught thousands of teachers how to plan, organize, and lead their
students on educational adventures
.
PASCO was invited by President-Andrea
Holbrook, and V.P. of Program Offerings-Sandy Doss, to be part of a 4 day
Field-Based Learning Seminar with teachers from across the U.S.
History
Over the years, approximately 75% of 
Costa Rica’s
rainforest had
been
destroyed due to logging and agriculture. Costa Rica is
now a world leader in
reclaiming rainforest areas and
conserving the
remaining areas. Selva Verde was
established in
1985 when Andrea’s
mother (Giovanna) purchased ~500 acres of
rainforest land bordering the
Sarapiqui River, near the small
town of Chilamate
in northeastern Costa
Rica. Due to the
country’s conservation efforts, about 27%
of Costa
Rica’s
lands are national parks, biological reserves, wildlife refuges
and other protected areas.
Learning Center
The Sarapiqui Conservation Learning Center is managed by volunteers. Polly Hunt manages the center and her terrific staff includes: Anne Koenke, Phil Zaubi, Cindy Jones, Mel Owen-Browne, and Kelly Groller.
The goal of the LC is to teach rainforest conservation to the Costa Ricans and visitors to Selva Verde. The LC also supports the local community by offering a place for students and adults to take language lessons, receive help with homework, and enjoy recreational activities such as arts and crafts. Due to Selva Verdeês efforts and dedication in preserving the countryês rainforest, PASCO donated equipment and software to the Learning Center. We hope this will allow teachers and students around the world to further increase their understanding and enjoyment of this beautiful region of the world, through field exploration.
Teachers' Seminar
Eighteen teachers participated in this Field-Based Learning Seminar. They came from across the U.S. and spent four days in beautiful Costa Rica. Led by experienced naturalist guides, Mario and Rudolpho, we had the opportunity to explore this beautiful country and discuss biological structures, biodiversity of flora and fauna, reserve management, and conservation. From the incredible rainforest to the tranquil Sarapiqui River, which runs through the reserve, Selva Verde offered us all an enriching and memorable experience.
Morning Bird Watch Hikes
Every morning at 6:00am, we departed for a hike in search of many of the exotic birds that inhabit the Costa Rican rainforest. Costa Rica has more than 15 distinct life zones, which serve as home to over 850 species of birds throughout the country’s nearly 2,000 square miles of national forests.
Rainforest Hikes
We participated in several hikes through the 500-acre rainforest preserve of
Selva Verde. Walking through, our nature guides carefully explained the
differences between both the primary and secondary forest.
During the hikes we also conducted several
experiments with our PASCO equipment (See experiment
data). We measured pH, temperature and dissolved oxygen at various
locations and depths along the Sarapiqui River. We noticed the water temp was
higher near the surface as compared to depths of 1 or 2 feet deep. We also
observed that the pH level was higher in the portion of the river with faster
moving water, as compared to a more stagnant inlet. (See experiment
data)
We measured the temperature and humidity over a 45-minute
period, and noticed as we hiked into a thicker canopy region, the temperature
dropped by approximately 2 degrees, and humidity increased from about 70% to
80%. (See experiment
data)
One of the fascinating and unique characteristics of the rainforest, is that
sometimes less than 5% of the sunlight actually shines through the canopy and reaches the
forest floor. Using a Light Sensor, we measured the level of light intensity
(lux) that was shining through the canopy cover of the forest.
We noticed
several termite nests during our hike, about 6-10 feet off the forest ground.
Another experiment we conducted was to measure the temperature inside these
nests. We were surprised to see that the inside temperature was a consistent
24.3 C
Local High School Visit
We visited Colego Tenico Profesional PTO Viejo high school, and had the wonderful opportunity to hear five students (Jaime, Milagro, Lisa, Alejandro and Raul) discuss their life as students in Costa Rica. We discovered they take 14 classes at a time, and daily attend school from 7:00am to 5:00pm. They discussed their college and career goals, and how the Learning Center helps them with their homework.
Sarapiqui River Cruise
The third day was devoted to experiencing the variety of the Sarapiqui River. A
scenic 2-hour boat cruise down the river allowed us to view of the thick with
lush vegetation, towering trees, vines and flowers forest that borders its banks
and numerous opportunities to see the region’s wildlife up close. The source of
the river is the clear mountain streams that run down through the rainforest to
lowlands. During the trip we took several measurements of the water including
temperature, pH, conductivity and dissolved oxygen. Not surprisingly, we
discovered the levels of each measurement were very similar to stretch of river
we previously tested at Selva Verde.
The wildlife we observed was incredible. With our guide,
Mario’s keen eyes and Juan’s skillful boat driving, we had the chance to see a
variety of species in their natural habitat: 3-4 feet long Iguanas sunning on
the river banks, a Caman resting under the cover of branches, a Howler Monkey
high above in the treetop, bats clinging to a tree trunk, and a host of birds
including Egrets, Tiger Herons, and Kingfishers.
Sarapiqui White Water Rafting
Our day ended with a fun and exhilarating white water rafting drip down the Sarapiqui. The river offered us Class II and Class III rapids. Our expert guides made this a wonderful experience with their humor and knowledge. The competition heated up as the five rafts navigated the rapids and raced each other down the river, jockeying for position and splashing each other with our oars. Definitely a wet and wild time.
Guest Speakers
The group had the pleasure to hear two distinguished guest speakers on
successive nights. Dr. Jorge Protti, famous volcanologist from Costa Rica’s UNA
(Universidad Nacional). He discussed his studies of Central America volcanoes
and earthquakes. He predicts that a 7.2 – 7.4 magnitude earthquake will occur in
Western Costa Rica within the next several years.
Ms. Arce, who has been
teaching Biology for over thirty years, discussed the state of education in
Costa Rica. She has famous family roots as the daughter of 3-time ex-President
Jose Figueres, who first won election in 1948. He is famous for abolishing the
country’s military, and putting the funds towards nationalizing education,
banking, and insurance. Ms. Arce is also the sister of ex-President Figueres Jr,
who served from 1994-1998.
Banana Plantation
We visited a local Dole banana plantation. Tourism is the #1 industry in Costa Rica, followed by banana exports, and coffee. The owner gave us a tour of the plantation, as we learned everything from the history of the plantation to how the bananas are grown, harvested, cleaned, packed, and shipped around the world.
LaLa Paz Waterfall / Poas Volcano Paz Waterfall / Poas Volcano
On the last day of the trip, the group visited beautiful La Paz Falls and Poas
Volcano. La Paz Waterfall Gardens is nature park that includes four magnificent
waterfalls. The Trail of Falls leads to a gorge that was created by the
confluence of the Rio La Paz Grande and the Rio La Paz. The view from the
balconies showcase three separate waterfalls: Encantada, Escondido and, of
course the famous La Paz Waterfall.
The drive and view of the volcano was
unforgettable as we all learned a lesson in geology. Poas Volcano, at 2,708
meters(8,884 ft) high, is located in the Central Volcanic Mountain Range, 37 km
north of Alajuela on the Alajuela-San Pedro de Poas route. It is one of the most spectacular volcanoes in the country and has the
largest geyser in the world. This park protects various types of forest
containing abundant epiphytes andparasitic plants growing on the tree trunks.
Poas's crater is an enormous, gaping hole one kilometer in diameter and 314
meters deep. The long-extinct von Frantzius composite cone, the oldest eruptive
center on the massif, is at the north of the arctic crater. Another cone named
Botos is to the southwest. It was the active center until 7,500 years ago and
now contains astonishingly beautiful cold water Botos Lake. The lake is about
400 meters in diameter.
A beautiful country with amazing wildlife, Costa
Rica has earned its reputation as a paradise regained.