scholastic expeditions- tamarindo destination
TRANSCRIPT
Costa Rica 20128 days, 7 nights, Tamarindo destination
Destinations
Ignacio (Nacho)Ignacio (Nacho) EscorriolaDirector of Education
Nacho (short for Ignacio) is a born and raised Costa Rican who has been interested and involved in the natural sciences since he was a child. Even though he grew up in San Jose, (the capital city located in the Central Valley), his access to two oceans provided the perfect inspiration to become the marine biologist he is today. Nacho comes to Scholastic Expeditions with a vast and varied background in outdoor science education. He has worked for over 20 years as an Environmental Consultant and Environmental Educator. He has performed numerous services in both tourism and with rural communities doing Community Development Projects. Nacho has led and continues to lead students on programs throughout his country’s many ecosystems. He loves his job as it unites his duel passions for teaching ecology and his beloved Costa Rica!
Nacho creates and develops all Scholastic Expeditions hands-on curriculum and trains our guides on any necessary methodologies.
In his spare time, he enjoys photography and being outdoors with his family hiking, mountain biking, and participating in waters sports. Education:
• 1982-1988 – Bachelor of Science - Marine Biology from Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Cost Rica• 1987-1988 – Student Exchange Program with East Carolina University• 1988-1991 – Masters of Science -Marine Biology from University of North Carolina • 1991-1992 – International Development Policies Graduate Program, Duke University North Carolina• 1999-2001 – Masters of Science - Interdisciplinary Ecology from University of Florida through a Fulbright Scholarship• 2001-current – Ph. D in progress “Freshwater Wetlands”
Cielo Azul Bus
Ride into Costa Rica!
• Begin your adventure...
Arenal Volcano National Park
• Hike through lava flows
• Become a volcanologist for the day
Volcanic Hot Springs
• Spend the evening relaxing in Arenal’s natural volcanic hot springs
White Water RaftingOn Rio Sarapiqui
Water Testing
• Test for water quality at various locations in Costa Rica
Wildlife in Monteverde
Gray Fox
Quetzal
Monteverde Canopy Tour
• Zipline through the cloud forest!
Rainforest Hike• Explore the tropical
rainforest
Rio Tempisque
Las Pumas Animal Rescue
Butterfly Gardens
• Examine caterpillars, pupae, walking sticks and butterflies
Palo Verde
Palo Verde
Community Service
• Helping out at a Costa Rican school
Community Service
• Harvesting medicinal plants
Community Service
• Bagging bananas
Eco-farm• Learn about sustainable farming
El Establo Hotel
Volcano Lodge Hotel
View of Arenal Volcano
Costa Rican Food
Costa Rican Culture
• Traditional dance parade at San Jose
Fauna
Flora
ItineraryDAY ONE
• Group met by Scholastic Expeditions upon arrival in Costa Rica.• Drive to Arenal…Orientation Dinner & Hotel Check-In• **Optional red-eye flight which will allow for tour of Poas
Volcano & La Paz Waterfall GardensDAY TWO
• Breakfast• Arenal Volcano National Park
Students will hike through the lava flows of this active volcano and participate in activities that allow them to become volcanologists for the day!
• Lunch• Community Service or Eco-Farm
Visit with Costa Rican students at a local school. Learn about their culture and their day to day living and learning environments. Alternatively, students will work on an eco-farm and learn about sustainable farming.
• Dinner• Arenal Volcanic Hot Springs
Spend the evening relaxing in the natural hot springs.• Nighttime volcanic observation
DAY THREE• Breakfast & Hotel Check-Out• White Water Rafting
This is an amazing experience that allows them to traverse through several different ecosystems while viewing Costa Rican wildlife along the banks of the river.
• Lunch in TilaranEnjoy an opportunity to spend time with local Costa Ricans in a quaint town on the banks of Lake Arenal.
• Depart for Monteverde Boat ride across Lake Arenal• Frog Pond
Students will view famous species of frogs and learn about the adaptations each has made to thrive in their specific environment.
• Dinner & Hotel Check-InDAY FOUR
• Breakfast• Monteverde Canopy Tour
Students will zip line through the cloud forest for an exhilarating once in a lifetime experience!
• Lunch• Butterfly Garden
Students spend the afternoon learning about all of the different species of butterflies and the adaptations each has made.
• Leisure time in beautiful Santa Elana• Dinner
DAY FIVE• Breakfast & Hotel Check-Out• ECMAR
Student participant in a mangrove tour along the Tempiske River.• Lunch• Las Pumas
An animal rescue and rehabilitation center. This non-profit center will show the different stages of rehabilitation animals go through to be reintroduced back to the wild.
• Dinner & Hotel Check-InDAY SIX
• Breakfast & Hotel Check-Out• Palo Verde National Park
Students will participate in on-going scientific activities being run by university students and biologists at the Palo Verde ranger station. It’s a bird watcher’s paradise!
• Lunch• Depart for Tamarindo• Dinner & Hotel Check-In
DAY SEVEN• Breakfast• Marine Biology Activity
Itinerary• Students collect specimens and data on the beach and then
analyze and present their findings to their peers.• Lunch• Surf Lessons
Students get to take surf lessons in this surfer’s paradise and learn how to "hang 10"
• Farewell DinnerDAY EIGHT
• Breakfast & Hotel Check-Out• Depart for home
Academic PointsWater and Soil Testing at 5 locations throughout the country. Five sites in 5 different ecological zones (i.e. tropical forest, dry tropical forest, brackish waters, etc.). Comparison and analysis of the data and presentation of findings at the end of the trip.
Monteverde Butterfly Gardens ProgramsOffers lab where students get to work with a variety of insects and arachnids. Typical lab is where students will divide into groups and each group will get either a group of ants, butterflies, cockroaches or spiders. Depending on level of group and preparation, students give each other presentations that cover roles of bugs in their eco-system and the potential for human interference.
Monteverde Forest Research Possibilities
Tree Measurement Project: comparison of tree density between a cloud forest and other regions visited. Contrast forested areas with protected and hypothesize reasons for any variances discovered.
Discussions on Golden Frog extinction. Numerous research or suggested topics students can participate in, i.e. role of biological adaptations, habitat loss, conservation measures, etc.
Freshwater Organisms Survey (aquatic insects) of small streams in Monteverde and perhaps other water bodies visited.
Los Pumas Rescue Center
Learn about Threatened and Endangered Wildlife Species such as : Gray Fox, White-faced Monkey, Scarlet Macaw, and 5 of the 6 Costa Rican Feline Species: Ocelot, Jaguarondi, Margay, Puma and Jaguar, all of which are present at the Los Pumas Rescue Center. Learn also
about how a Wildlife Rescue Center works and what socio-economic and political realities affect habitat destruction.
Community Service
Numerous projects available. Here is some options of what students do: reforestation, painting School Grounds, Community Centers, building infrastructure, working in children’s or elderly centers, assisting in various groups, i.e. Women groups that need help harvesting medicinal plants and packing them, Tilapia farms, preparing vegetables at school grounds etc.
Manuel Antonio National Park
Beach/Rocky Shore Organisms Survey: with equipment perform a scientific survey of small aquatic organisms here. Possible comparison to Monteverde results.
Discussion of Biological Corridors Project, National Park History and its role in the Costa Rican Conservation Efforts, discussion of CR’s Conservation Area System, ER’s Environmental Education Efforts and Results, how Scarlet Macaw and /or Squirrel Monkey Studies are conducted in a Protected Area and Buffer zones, how dolphin and whale research is conducted in CR, and marine and shore bird studies are done. Depending on season, Turtle walk may be possible or Turtle Night Patrol in Playa Rey with Local Ministry of the Environment and other NGO officials.
Sunsets
• Just another great reason to come to Costa Rica!
Make it Happen!
• Contact your supervising teacher or Susan Schai at (831) 440-1041
• The adventure of a lifetime awaits you!
How to Register• Two part process:
1. Sign up online at scholasticexpeditions.org
2. Send deposit of $250 to:
• 5601 Scotts Valley Dr. Ste. 313
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
• And you’re all set!