¡Bienvenido a La Selva!

¡Bienvenido a la selva! has been on our minds quite a bit the past few days (it's been sung quite a few times while trekking through the jungle). Yes, that's right, the JUNGLE as I've been fortunate enough to be selected with a team of life science teachers to participate in an ECO classroom workshop in Costa Rica this summer. As I reach the halfway point in my trip, I've finally had time to set up, and reconfigure my blog - so let me rewind!

August 2nd, 2015: 
Cody, Megan, Nicole and I arrived at Sant Barbara airport at 11:30am today to leave for COSTA RICA! After heavy planning, application and acceptance, we are about to embark on the journey of a lifetime with other teachers from around the nation. Our team, SciCREW, will be studying how land use effects biodiversity in the area by comparing nitrate levels in the soil of "used" or agricultural land areas verses "unused" or protected reserve areas. We've brought nitrate sampling kits, example lesson plans to share, and (hopefully) enough rain gear!

We finally made it to San Jose, Costa Rica at about 1am local time. After several transfers (SBA-> LAX-> IAH -> SJO) we are definitely ready for bed! We're staying at the Adventure Inn for the night, and our guide/lead for the trip, Jimmy (From TEAM network, more on that later) greeted us right when we arrived (with plenty of swag;)) Big day tomorrow - so more later!! Can't wait to experience this beautiful country with such amazing educators!