Costa Rica: Biology Lab

This 8 day program gives students hands-on biology lessons in the breathtaking tropical environment of Costa Rica.

Students will have many opportunities to take biology outside of the classroom and into to the field in Cahuita. Students will participate in a variety of field projects, including a stream investigation on aquatic macroinvertebrates, DNA isolation of local fruit, examinations of water and soil samples from multiple sources, animal and plant identification, and more. There will be labs on both genetics and natural selection.

Costa Rica’s ecosystem is rich and abundant in variety, and students will have the chance to see and study all of the vibrant flora and fauna with naturalist tours in Gandoca Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge and Cahuita National Park. A marine biology lesson will accompany coral reef snorkeling.

In addition to snorkeling, other recreational activities include surfing lessons, white water rafting, and souvenir hunting in an artisanal market.

Special activities include a visit with the Bribri indigenous tribe to learn their unique customs and how to make chocolate, and a service learning project at a local elementary school.