International

Eco Edventures Logo costa rica ecological edventures course 

Fourteen educators from throughout the United States were selected for this Edventure. They will explore the ecology of Costa Rica, earn continuing education credits, and help save sea turtles! Guided by two North Carolina Aquariums environmental educators, the group will study sea turtles and collect data on them, hike through rainforests, restore mangroves, learn how to make chocolate, and so much more!

JULY 11-19, 2023
SAN JOSÉ, COSTA RICA
COST: $1,995*

Educators on Boat Pull turtle from Ocean

 

  • Immerse yourself in the diverse ecosystems in Costa Rica from both the water and on land.
  • Hike on the highest point on the Pan-American Highway and search for endemic bird species.
  • Spend time with the Indigenous Boruca people and learn about their history and traditions.
  • Visit the Osa Peninsula and discover why this area is one of the 25 biodiversity hotspots of the world.

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

The course runs July 11-19, 2023 and begins in San José, Costa Rica. Participants will make their own way to San José and meet the group in-person that evening.

Early the next morning, we will meet our in-country partners from EcoTeach and drive to Cerro de la Muerte, or Mountain of Death, in the Talamanca Mountain range. We will explore this area of Costa Rica from both a natural and cultural lens, looking for endemic species and meeting local residents to learn how they use the land. We leave the mountains and head to the coast to work with sea turtles.


Meet and train with staff members of Latin American Sea Turtle (LAST) Association to help with sea turtle data collection. This course has a heavy focus on conservation and we will be collecting data on sea turtles and connecting work done in Costa Rica with sea turtle conservation work in North Carolina. We also will work to restore habitats while in this area. A stop at Manuel Antonio National Park to search for iconic Costa Rican species is a must-do activity before heading back home!

Additionally, the edventurers will spend some time doing inquiry and talking about how to bring Costa Rica back to your home, organization or classroom.

Participants earn 100 CEU credit hours through this course.

LODGING & TRAVEL

The cost of the course covers ground transportation in Costa Rica, lodging in all areas of focus, including San Jose, Cerro de la Muerte and Osa Peninsula, all meals, activity and entrance fees, course instruction and materials, field instruction, and a dedicated local naturalist guide.*

*Note: The course cost does not cover airfare to San José, Costa Rica.

 

EXPLORE PAST NC AQUARIUMS ECO EDVENTURE TRIPS

To see what past participants did during the 2022 Baja Ecological Edventures Course, search #BajaEcoEd on NC Aquarium Facebook and Instagram.

ABOUT NC AQUARIUMS ECOLOGICAL EDVENTURES

The NC Aquariums offer educator professional development opportunities through several different experiences, all hosted under the Ecological Edventures program. These experiences are intended to inspire educators to incorporate aquatic resources and conservation into their classrooms, organizations, or communities and improve their self-efficacy in sharing these concepts with their audiences.
 

CONTACT

Gail Lemiec, Unique Experiences Coordinator