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Recommended Reading:
Monkeys are made of Chocolate by Jack Ewing
ISBN
0-9658098-I-I
"To read Monkeys Are Made of Chocolate is to share in a
small way the great adventure Jack Ewing undertook in transforming his part of the World (Hacienda Baru, Costa Rica). In fact,
reading this book is an adventure in itself rather like hiking through a jungle; you never know what you're going to stumble
across next! You will learn from this book, shed a few tears, and you will have a lot of laughs."
Amazon.com book link
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| Two-toed Sloth at Poas volcano 2006 |
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| Horseback riding at Monteverde 2008 |
2010 & Proposed 2012 Trip Agenda (Costa Rica: Coast to Coast)
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Agenda Location / Activity |
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Depart Anchorage by Jet
Continental Flt #223 Anchorage to Houston 12:45 am- 12:09 pm Tuesday
Continental
Flt #1499 Houston to San Jose 6:05 - 8:40 pm
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San Jose, Costa Rica
Meet Bilingual Guide: Margel Valentine
WARNING San Jose is tough neighborhood stay in designated groups and in hotel at night.
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Hope to have time for National Museum and shopping on Central Avenue. Same great hotel; came in too late to go to market or Gold Museum. Country Inn & Suites (2008) 506-2239-2272
Gran Hotel Costa Rica, San Jose (2006)(2010)
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We stopped at Donald Perry's Rain Forest Aerial
Trams. It would be great to spend two hours
here.
Rain Forest Aerial Trams Costa Rica Atlantic
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Tortuguero
Photostop at Braulio Carrillo
National park and banana plantation
Travel to Tortuguero,
Carribean Sea
Take a guided
tour of Tortuguero Village
YouTube Turtle Beach Lodge, Tortuguero, Costa Rica
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Hope to see turtles on beach. Carribean Sea First, this is a great hotel; not all rooms with AC, be sure to ask. Great access to beach, nice beach, I found leatherback turtle tracks, but we did not see any turtles after hiking 5 miles rnd trip. Lots of wildlife, need to come back and look for turtles. Vista Al Mar Lodge (2010)
Turtle Beach Lodge
Tortuga Lodge
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YouTube Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica
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Tortuguero is a nice town only accessable via
boat. There was little artwork; but cold drinks.
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Tortuguero
Take a boat ride through
the Tortuguero Canals
Visit Tortuguero
National Park
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Hope to see many critters in wildlife preserve.
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YouTube Rainforest and Wildlife in Sarapiqui, Costa Rica
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Sarapiqui
Travel to Sarapiqui region
Take optional Sarapiqui Canopy (zipline) Tour
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This is suppose to be the best zipline in the country. Hope
to do night tour, the area had many critters in 2008. (~$20) Hotel Bambu is
a great hotel in the heart of Sarapiqui. A good place to do laundry;
not a tourist town. We did a great night walk for $15 per student,
$20 for adults at Tirimbina Rainforest Center
Tirimbina Rainforest Center Chocolate Tour, Day & Night walks
Hotel El Bambu (2010)
Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve
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The Pozo Azul Canopy tour was a nice safe zipline
tour that everyone enjoyed.
Hacienda Pozo Azul Adventures
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Arenal region
Visit La Selva Biological Research Station
Travel to Arenal region
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Hope to tour the world reknown La Selva Research Station. Did
not have time for La Selva. It would still be nice to stay in this
area and do a one hour hike. Hotel La Cangreja Lodge (2010)
Tacotal Hotel (2008)
Catarata's Resort, San Carlos (2006)
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Arenal region
Take a kayaking trip in Lake Arenal
Visit La Fortuna Waterfall
Visit Baldi Hot Springs
YouTube La Fortuna Waterfall Costa Rica
YouTube Baldi Hot Springs in La Fortuna, Costa Rica Arenal
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Students may do easiest water slide only. $10 deposit
for towels; $5 charge for lockers Students
safely did the left slow slide and right fast slide and avoided the center fast curvy slide.
Baldi Hot Springs
Tacotal Hotel (2008)
Catarata's Resort, San Carlos (2006)
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Guanacaste
Travel to Guanacaste region, Pacific Ocean
YouTube Playa Tamarindo Beach, Costa Rica
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Enjoy beach on the Pacific Ocean (please
use sunscreen / sunblock) Hotel Nacazcol is
nice and located near Hermosa and Coco beaches. I
recommend staying near Tamarindo and visit the beaches near there and Parque Nacional Marino Las Baules Hotel Nacazcol (2010)
Hotel El Milagro Tamarindo, Guanacaste
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Guanacaste
Take a full-day
excursion to Rincon de la Vieja National Park
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Hike to active volcano and mud pots. Interesting hike, no mud pots, but steam vents
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Guanacaste
Raft or kayak trip in Palo Verde or whitewater rafting on Rio Corobici
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Hope to spend morning on a river viewing wildlife and the afternoon on the beach again. Palo Verde boat tour was great. Next time, suggest getting lunch on our own and spend the whole day traveling.
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Depart Liberia by Jet Thursday Continental Flight 846 Liberia to Houston 7:00 - 11:27 am Continental Flight 407 Houston to Anchorage 3:15 - 7:23 pm |
Overall, a good trip, I would like to do this
trip in 2012 but pay an
extra $400 per person to have our own bus and schedule. This
will allow us to do more activities and stops. Have
students bring all room issues to me prior to Margel, the tour director 2012 student price ~$3400 and adult price ~$3700
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#
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Who may go
or not go.
- This is not a school trip and participation is by invitation only.
- Mr. Rife must know you personally.
- No drama queens or kings; do you complain / whine ?
- Are you physically active; trip requires hiking & kayaking
- Do you follow my rules; staying in groups, curfews, and other rules are for your protection. Consequences vary from parent contact to much more (see below).
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Do you enjoy all types of people, food, weather, and circumstances?
Parents and participants should review the EF Tours behavior
rules.
See
https://www.eftours.com/global/pdf/Rules_of_the_Road.pdf
Here is a summary:
- All
scheduled activities are obligatory and must be attended.
- All
participants must stay with the group.
- Visitors
or group members of the opposite sex are not permitted in students’ rooms.
- Participants
must be in their room by the 11 pm curfew.
- No
hitchhiking or travel with any other vehicle allowed.
- No
consumption of alcohol.
- Shoplifting,
possession of illegal drugs and all other illegal activities will not be tolerated and are punishable
by immediate dismissal from the tour. All costs to return home are at the participant’s expense.
Should the local authorities be involved, participants will be subject to the laws for the country
they are visiting.
- Participants
are required to pay for phone calls, incidental expenses, and any damage to hotel rooms.
Talk to Mr. Rife
if you are interested in participation.
(limited to
15 - 18 participants)
Total Costs for
2010 trip: students $3000; adults $3300
Organizational
meetings will take place during the late fall 2008, again contact Mr. Rife.
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| Students performing cultural dancing at elementary school visit 2008 |
2006 & 2008 Trip Agenda (Costa Rica: Touch of the Tropics)
2008 Departure dates: June 3-4
Return date: June 13
Group of 40 (14 from AK, 16 from OK, 10 from TX) will travel in one large
bus
Alaska Airlines 1-800-252-7522
Continental 1-800-231-0856
The above links and phone numbers are to confirm flights and/or mileage plans.
To call internationally from the US, dial 011 before desired phone number (below)
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Depart Anchorage by Jet
Continental Flt #781 Anchorage to Houston 8:50 pm - 6:42 am
Continental Flt #1528 Houston
to San Jose 9:17 - 11:58 am
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Meet Bilingual Guide: Margel Valentine
San Jose, Costa Rica
WARNING San Jose is tough neighborhood stay in designated groups and in hotel at night.
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2008 We have arrived with no problems. We are tired from long flights but the Country Inn hotel and
pools are beautiful. Everyone is relaxing in pools. The bus is very nice. We go to InBioparque, Poas volcano, and Arenal volcano
tomorrow.
Country Inn & Suites (2008) 506-2239-2272
Gran Hotel Costa Rica, San Jose (2006)
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INBioparque Santo Domingo, Costa Rica
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Great introduction to biodiversity of country.
See link below (National Biodiversity)
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Poas Volcano
Drive to Fortuna
Stop at Muelle with Green Iguana
Fortuna has good banking and ATM
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We woke up to blue skies after heavy thunderstorms last night. We saw the caldera of the Poa volcano
and even smelled the sulfur fumes. We had our first authenic Costa Rica meal with great chicken or was that iquana. We saw
the Paz / Peace waterfall. Shortly after we saw a troop of howler monkeys. We ate icecream with 20 iquanas. We have a great
hotel and pool at La Fortuna.
Hotel Lavas Tacotal-Arenal Volcano (2008) 506-2460-9998
Catarata's Resort, San Carlos (2006)
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Kayak tour of Arenal Volcano
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We saw a gas eruption of the volcano and then went swimming in the lake. |
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Arenal Region, visit La Fortuna waterfall in a very deep gorge and swim in river.
Go to hot springs in the evening.
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The waterfall and swimming was increadible. Fortunately we had the hot springs to soak our sore muscles from the hike.
Jacob Franzmann was the only one to tollerate the hottest pool.
2008 The kayaking was great Alaska students kayaked circles around TX and OK Jasmine and Jenna were
there first whereever we went. Swam in the lake. Hiked to Fortuna waterfall, and swam in the river with fish the guys tried
to catch. We are going shopping in La Fortuna and then to Baldi hot springs. If our luck holds we will
see the Arenal volcano erupt tonight.
The hot springs were increadible, the students tried all the different pools. Margel recommended
not do the slides, we witnessed some injuries on the middle slide. the smallest slide on the right will be ok in the future.
It was raining pretty hard like it does most afternoons and evenings, but we drove to the volcano
observatory and was rewarded with 30 minutes of amazing volcanic eruptions, at times a fourth of the volcano had red molten
lava on it. A once in a life time experience.
Baldi Hot Springs
Tacotal Hotel (2008)
Catarata's Resort, San Carlos (2006)
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Travel to Monteverde region.
Jungle Horseback Ride (2 hrs)
Visit primary school and school children.
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The roads were narrow, winding, and rough; the view was great, except when we were in the clouds.
The horseback ride was great, views of the Pacific ocean and surrounding mountains. Ellen Holt overcame her fear of horses.
2008 The roads have improved and we arrived at the elementary school early. EF visits the most
needy elementary school to share donations. The Costa Rican children sang their national anthem and Lisa and Ema lead our
group in ours, then the students presented some cultural dances and shared watermelon with. I presented the school with some
supplies and students donated some cash.
The 100% Adventures horseback ride was only an hour through the rainforest. I may suggest we skip
this option next trip.
The night hike *$20* was nice, we observed some great rainforest, a couple of two toed sloths and
tarantulas.
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Shop in Santa Elena. (great stores in lovely small town)
Good place to do laundry in Monteverde, (not hotel)
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The towns are full of shops and we are at the most beautiful hotel yet. Hotel Heliconia, Monteverde (2006)
The Cipreses Hotel Monteverde (2008) 506-2645-5455
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Monteverde Reserve and Santa Elena Coud Forest (hike 2 hrs).
Jungle Canopy Adventure (zip line & tarzan swing 2 hrs)
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This was the highlight of the trip. Everyone was blown away.
This made Medicine Man look like a picnic.
We started with zip lines through the rain forest jungle and ended going from hill top to hill top
a hundred feet over the rainforest. WOW!!!!!
Selvatura Canopy Tours (2006)
100% Aventura Monteverde (2008)
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2008 There was a theft last night. One of the EF teachers in our group had over thousand dollars
and six student passports stolen. We our fine, we discussed how and where to carry valuables.
The walk through the national park was great, we observed a nesting pair of replestent ketzels at
their nest, an amazing sighting. Walking thru the rainforest in a group of 40 does not allow much wildlife observation. Need
to discuss with EF later.
The 100% Adventure zipline was equal to what we did in 2006. All our students did everything including
the huge tarzan swing. The wind caught Mr. Rife as he was crossing a jungle valley and he needed rescued the last 50 feet.
Most thought this was the best experience so far
We planted trees again at the local high school and talked about various reforestation projects.
We shoped and got icecream in Santa Elena and are waiting for dinner. We held to the Pacific ocean
tomorrow.
The Cipreses Hotel Monteverde (2008)
Hotel Heliconia, Monteverde (2006)
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Drive from Monteverde to Quepos.
Again very narrow steep mountain roads
(Carara reserve scheduled, but too hot)
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Hit beach during afternoon.
Great dancing at Disco in Manuel Antonio
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2008 Woke up to an amazing sunny day. Drove the narrow road to the Pan American hyway.
On the way we stood under two families of howler monkeys, we got some great pictures and movies.
We stopped and saw the crocodiles, the river was up from last time so fewer, but enough to see them up close. We are now in
Jaco, we are staying at a great hotel on the beach. The students spent an hour in the surf and are now walking /
shopping in Jaco, where the guys and I found an internet cafe. Tomorrow we get up early to kayak from the ocean
through the mangrove forest to a freshwater spring. We expect great weather and to observe many critters. We will spend
the afternoon playing on the beach again.
Hotel Balcon del Mar (2008)
Rancho Casa Grande, Quepos (2006)
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Manual Antonio National Park (hike rain forest with monkeys)
Great beaches
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Came back to public beach for ¨boogie boards¨¨
Great waves and sun.
Severe sun warning: cover up
2008 Drove to Isla Damas and kayaked Red Mangrove estuary. Observed two Rainbow Boa constrictors.
Fed white-faced monkeys as they junped on our kayaks. Had lunch with river quides. Went back to hotel. Aron and Eddie rented
surf boards, Jill, Sarah, Joseph, Jenna, and Jasmine rented boogie boards. All had lots of fun and no burns. Went into town
after dinner to disco. It was a dead night, but kids had fun for an hour.
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Isla Damas
Mangrove Kayaking Tour
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Hotel Balcon del Mar (2008) 506-2643-2223
Rancho Casa Grande, Quepos (2006)
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Drive back to San Jose
Stop at Carara Reserve, dry decicuous rain forest
Stop at Sarchi for lunch and shop (best for wood products)
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Nice hike with new rain forest. Sasha spotted the first wildlife, a white face monkey.
Some are burned from yesterday.
2008 We went into the Carara National Park with Freddy, our guide. He was amazing with the ethno-botony.
We saw the green and black poisen arrow frog, many whiptail lizzards and birds.
Very hot but very nice tour. Went to Sarchi for lunch and shopping. None in our group are burned,
but Lisa got car sick today and missed fiesta night and Eddie left wallet and hotel key at restaurant. All are resting and
excited about white-water rafting tomorrow.
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WARNING San Jose is tough neighborhood stay in hotel at night.
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Gran Hotel Costa Rica, San Jose
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Went back to Poas Volcano. Got some great views before the clouds covered it again.
Poas Volcano erupted ten days later on March 24; park currently closed.
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Whitewater Rafting Adventure
WARNING San Jose is tough neighborhood stay in hotel at night.
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Fiesta Night
2008 The raft trip was great; all my students had a amazing time. Only two Texans "fell" in the river.
Spent 2 1/2 hours waiting for OK students to get visas and were unable to visit the National museum. We did get some additional
shopping and ice cream.
Gran Hotel Costa Rica, San Jose 506-2221-4000
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Depart San Jose by Jet
Continental Flt 1485 San Jose to Houston 6:45 -11:27 am
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Continental Flt 407 Houston to Anchorage 5:25 - 9:42 pm
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2008 The flights home were uneventful. Students rested some in Houston.
From my perspective, this was a perfect trip with a perfect group of students.
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Cloud Forest Alive: Weekly nature lessons, photos, information, web cams about the Cloud Forests of Monteverde
Tree House Restaurant & Cafe in Santa Elena, Monteverde
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| Student on zipline at Selvatura Canopy Tours 2006 |
Science Curriculum
One semester (0.5 credit) of Advanced
Science will be granted if students meet the following requirements.
Requirements
1. Students will write three papers exploring topics below.
The papers can be related to one topic such as three subjects related to Biodiversity or they may be from separate topics
listed below. Paper topics must be cleared with Mr. Rife. Papers are to be three to five pages in length, with three to five
references, and properly text noted.
2. Students will choose one of the above three papers
to do more indepth research. A research plan including investigations will be developed. The research plan utilizing the inquiry
process (observations and data colected) will be conducted during the trip. The research subject will be presented to the
student group during the trip. The research, including images of observations and data, will be published as a web page and
presented to the school board / community after the trip.
3. Students will submit three essay questions along with
grading rubrics for their topic of study. Students may work individually or in pairs on this portion. No more than two students
per each topic listed below. Students will answer one essay question per topic presented, demonstrating the knowledge gained
from all topics presented on the trip.
Inquiry Process Inquiry is a multifaceted activity that involves making observations; posing questions; examining books and other sources
of information to see what is already known; planning investigations; reviewing what is already known in light of experimental
evidence; using tools to gather, analyze, and interpret data; proposing answers, explanations, and predictions; and communicating
the results. Inquiry requires identification of assumptions, use of critical and logical thinking, and consideration of alternative
explanations.
Topics
1.
Water Geology / Canyons & Caves
2. Volcanism (Poas Volcano)
3. Meteorology
(Climate & Weather)
4. Marine Biology (Pacific, Puntarenas Region)
5. Rocks &Minerals (Arenology)
6. Biodiversity (Ecological Zones, Conservation)
7. Biodiversity
(Costa Rica Birds)
8. Biodiversity
(Costa Rica Mammals)
9. Biodiversity (Costa
Rica Plants, Rainforest Structure)
10. Biodiversity (Costa Rica Reptiles)
11. Biodiversity (Costa Rica Invertebrates)
12. Biodiversity (Costa Rica Amphibians)
13. Science Topic of your choice (Teacher approved)
National Science Content Standards
Science as Inquiry
Identify questions and concepts that guide scientific
investigation.
Design and conduct scientific investigations.
Use appropriate tools (like technology and math) to gather,
analyze, and interpret data.
Develop and revise descriptions, explanations, predictions, and models using logic and evidence.
Recognize
and analyze alternative explanations and models
Life Science
Develop understanding of regulation and behavior.
Develop
understanding of populations and ecosystems.
Develop understanding of diversity and adaptations of organisms.
Develop
understanding of interdependence of organisms.
Earth and Space Science
Develop understanding of the structure of the earth system, including layers of rock, water, and gases.
Develop
understanding of energy in the earth system, including external and internal sources of energy and how the earth transfers
that energy .
Develop understanding of geochemical cycles and how matter moves between chemiccal reservoirs in the solid
earth.
Science in Personal and Social Perspecitves
Understand populations,
resources, and environments.
Understand natural and human-induced hazards.
Develop understanding of environmental quality
and how human societies affect both physical and chemical cycles of the earth.
Develop understanding of science and technology
in local, national, and global challenges.
History and Nature of Science
Understand science as a human endeavor,
and how science relies on the basic human qualities of reasoning, insight, energy, skill, and creativity to flourish.
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| Leaf cutter Ants at Carara Reserve 2008 |
Costa Rica Science Curriculum Links
Visual Geography Book Costa Rica
PBS The Living Eden: Costa Rica Land of Pure Life
Organization of Tropical Studies (OTS) Costa Rica
Tropical Rain Forest; Mongabay
National Biodiversity Institute Costa Rica
Rara Avis A Costa Rican Rainforest Experience (lots of info & links)
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| Poison Dart Frog at Carara Reserve 2008 |
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| Rafting on Rio Sarapiqui 2006 |
Web Cam San Jose, Poas Volcano
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| Poas Volcano (erupted March 24 2006) students 2008 |
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| American Crocodiles at Rio Tarcoles 2006 |
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| Students in jungle Carara National Park 2006 |
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| Sunset on the Pacific coast 2006 |
Member of National Science Teachers
Association 1984 - present
Member of Alaska Science Teachers Association http://www.aksta.org/index.html
How We Learn Scientific American
College Degrees with the Worst Return on Investment
UTube 2 million unfilled jobs "today" waiting for math science education (CNN Education in America: Don't Fail Me)
ACS Email
UAA Email
Power Teacher
Power School Parent / Student Sign In
Bruce Rife at Facebook
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