Putting our minds to work.

         Our day began as each previous day had, with an excellent breakfast and fantastic weather. We ate omelets filled with green peppers and rice with beans. After breakfast, we gathered in our classroom to discuss our plans for the day. Sr. Pinto informed us that today was largely going to be devoted to continuing our scientific studies from the previous day and planning our major project for the trip. The morning lesson consisted of a shifting series of activities in which two groups worked on taking samples from the fungus gardens, two studied the frogs captured during the previous night, and the remaining four worked through activities in our booklets together.

           When working with the fungus gardens of the ants, we spent approximately 45 minutes gathering samples from different portions of the garden. The goal of this was to identify regions of the garden with different levels of bacteria based on our hypotheses regarding the garden. Samples were collected using tweezers that were burned for sanitation. We divided each petri dish into five segments where tiny fragments of the garden were placed. Once contained in incubators, the segments should yield varying amounts of bacterial growth on the dish for us to observe. The results will show whether our predictions regarding the differing presence of bacteria in the garden were accurate or not.

            As we later shifted to studying frogs, Juan and Ibrahim showed a presentation on different families of frogs. They also displayed the major differences in the families with harvested specimens from the previous night. One specimen was a glass frog which had relatively transparent skin, allowing us to see many of its internal organs move! We learned about 5 families of frogs: Bufonidae, Ranidae, Centrolenidae, Terranana, and Leptodactylidae. To test our knowledge, Juan quizzed us by having us identify mystery frogs into the five families by examining them for distinguishing characteristics.

            The information booklet had three sections for us to complete. The first concerned 4 renowned human diseases. They were Cholera, Tuberculosis, Malaria, and Plague. Each member of the group had to read an article for an individual disease and summarize its information for the group. The next activity was a short article about pathogens with a corresponding crossword puzzle. The final activity consisted of an article from the New York Times about the human microbiome and how valuable it is to human function and life. It is fascinating to know that we are a habitat for over 1 billion microbes that have evolved with us for thousands of years!

           Lunch came next, constituting an excellent pasta dish with a meaty sauce and garlic bread. After lunch, we went back to the classroom to begin working on the topic areas we had previously selected regarding our personal research interest. The moderators had already placed us into new groups based on this interest to begin working. Some groups focused on frogs while most tended to focus on the leafcutter ants and their environment. Over several hours, we compiled a plan regarding our problem, hypothesis, prediction, and experimental design into a power point while working closely with the researchers. About halfway through our work, we took a regenerating coffee break with homemade bread.

Sample of Trinity Research Planning Presentation

            After working for a while, we ate dinner at 6 p.m. We had roast beef with potatoes and other vegetables. Dessert was a creamy tres leches cake. For our night work, we went back to the classroom to present our research plans to the class amidst a wild collection of new flying friends. Though the pouring rain was a little hard to hear over, each group gave an effective plan to perform their research and discover new information in their topic area. The moderators were particularly inquisitive and suggestive with regard to every group, helping them to plan out their work as best as possible. Once all 8 groups had gone, we all returned to our rooms to get a full night’s rest for the next day.

By: Jacob Steele and Sam Roth

Costa Rica: Ants, River, Frogs

Day three started off with a delicious breakfast of eggs, coffee, ham, rice and beans, pineapple, and watermelon. We went out into the field Immediately we with Mr. Pinto to search for leafcutter ant colonies (Atta). Once we found one We Were Taught how to excavate the colony and extract the fugus and queen.

Then we split off to Then to go out into groups to collect our own fugus and gardens. Once all of the groups HAD Collected gardens and even a few queens we headed back to the classroom before We went out again to hunt for "sheep" ants (Acromyrmex) They are called Sheep Because They are covered in a white bacteria That can be seen With the naked eye. These ants are much harder to find than the leafcutter ants and They require trained eye to find to a colony. Once we found a colony We were released and MOST people Went back to the beds to relax for an hour before lunch

Lunch consisted of fried plantain chips, rice and beans, watermelon, juice and handle. We were after lunch Given the option to go on a hike to a mile remote jungle river. Almost everyone chose partcipate so we loaded up into a trailer and Were on our way. After a ten minute drive we arrived at the point we where to begin our hike. As we Began walking it Seemed like a very easy downhill walk and we hear the roaring river Could almost immediately. It Seemed like a very long hike as we stopped to look at very Often the jungle life. When we got to the river everyone Immediately Took Their boots off and jumped in. was fun while swimming aroud the highlight was a big rock That Took turns jumping off everyone of. the hike back was long and intense as it was an uphill battle 90 percent of the time, When We Reached the top everyone was tired. After we got back to Finca La Anita We went back to the dorms to get showers and preparing for dinner.

Dinnr was awesome and include food like pork, potatoes, pumpkin soup and a delicious desert of icecream With plantains. After dinner We went to the classroom and we split into two groups, one going out to collect frogs and the other creating a habitat like environment for the leaf cutter Collected we colonies. I was first group to hunt frogs and we ended up catching 90 minutes.After ten in acerca That We went inside the classroom and Began data analysis and then a created a fungus lives for our garden and colony.

When we were finished With the colonies we retired to bed, to preparing for our adventures tomorrow.

 

BY: Patrick and Derek

Costa Rica: Food, Forest, Fire

Waking up to Patrick's snoring or a charlie horse is not the perfect way to begin a day. The day would soon Become amazing. We started by meeting Mr. Dolman and a few others for an optional hike to test out our boots. Waking up at 5:30 was not as challenging as it would be it Seems Because the Sun rises before 5:00 pm. We Began our hike into the jungle and soon Realized That would be esta trip the experience of a lifetime. The trees and other plants are bright green and a beautiful stream yielded many waterfalls. The sight Seemed fake, like it Belonged in a zoo or movie. It was too perfect to be real. 

Then we prepared for breakfast at 7:30 am. We had delicious eggs, rice and beans, amazing papaya juice, fresh papaya, watermelon and the best ever We had tasted. There was locally grown coffee Past Which was also delicious. 

Then we HAD freetime Which was filled with a hike into the forest, a trip into town, or just relaxing and getting to know the people from Lexington Catholic. 

After esta we had a tour of the farm and a lesson on how to make chocolate. We Learned About the different types of cacoa. Finca La Anita grows only Criollo, the highest quality but Least productive strain. Then we got a chance to taste the most amazing chocolate we ever tasted unavailable. This was made with only cacoa chocolate, sugar, and vanilla. It was dark chocolate but was not bitter at all. There was 72% cacoa chocolate, Which was crumbly and delicious, and 80% chocolate, Which was much creamier and Equally as tasty. Then We Took a tour around the farm Entire Where we sucked on cacoa seeds, Which tasted like lemon and mango, and Learned About the process of growing the plant cacoa. 

We then ate lunch which was heart of palm salsa; beef, which tasted like spaghetti-o's; rice; beans; and vegetables. This was all truly amazing.

Right after lunch, we took about an hour break to relax and talk with each other. Many people went back to their dorms or cabins. 

After this little break we were taken on a tour through the town. We stopped at a house where the family made their own ice cream and we had the option to buy either coconut or chocolate ice cream. It was in a bag rather than on a cone. After this little stop we went to the town park where there were basketbal and soccer goals where we were told that many people hang arond. We moved on to see the police station, school, gathering area, and church. About two-hundred people live in the town as a whole. Towards the end of this tour, we stopped at asmall shop that they call the mall. Here many people purchased drink to quinch or thirsts on the hot day. After our littlestop we headed back to the farm. 

When we got back to the farm, we met our professor Mr. Pinto. We went to the classrom and introduced ourselves and said a quality that will help others remember you. From there we split up into eight groups of four, and we talked about the scientific method. Then we split into our groups and went to perform an experiment on bacterial growth. Groups swabbed places where they believed bacteria would grow and thrive the most, and from there we put them into petri dishes and in an incubator and we are awaitng results. 

After we were finished with these experiments we had dinner at 6:00 PM.For dinner we ate grilled chicken, green beans, and mashed potatoes. After dinner we had a a break until 7:30. When this break was up we came back to the class room. Awaitng us in the room were two queen bullet ants and a massive hercules beetle. Immidiately we disposed of the bullet ants and set the beetle free. We continued on and watched three films. One on the leaf cutter ants, their colonies, and their backeria. Another was on different types of frogs and how deforestation, climate change, and parasites are kiling them off. The last film was on a fungus that invades ants and grows to their brain. It droves them crazy and makes them almost zombie-like. They climb high up into trees, attach to a branch and die. After death, the fungus sprouts frm their head and grows out to spread itself to other ants. After these films we were dismissed for the night. 

Pura Vida

By: Matt Watson and Eric Brian

Testing our boots

Today we took a hike and tested out our new boots and we got to see some awesome stuff takea look down below!


                                          

First Day at Finca La Anita

Our first day at Finca La hnita consisted of two long plane rides, a two and a half hour bus ride, and some really great food. The day started at 3:00 AM for all of us Because We had to be at the air port at 4:00 AM just in case some people Were late. When we got to the airport to wait for We had an hour acerca Until we got into the current terminal, and we boarded the plane very soon after that. The flight to Atlanta was almost completely smooth except for some bumps here and there, Which we enjoyed. After we got off of the flight to Atlanta we had a two hour lay-over to get onto our flight to Costa Rica, Which Went by very fast with the help of Arby's and Panda Express.

Getting on the flight to Costa Rica Took a bit but it was well worth the wait. During the ride over we saw amazing scenery of the ocean and great views of Costa Rica. During the flight We had to fill out our papers immagration Which Were a bit confusing but we got them done quick. When we landed in Costa Rica after a 3 hour flight We were all exhausted and ready to relax, but before we Could Do That We had to get some food.

After we got through security at the airport we packed our bags and headed to get some food. I can not remember the name of this place for the life of me but They Had some extremely delicious food such as: rice, beans, salad, and chicken. 

When we finished eating we got on the bus and Took an extremely lengthy and bumpy, two and a half hour drive up to Finca La Anita.

  

When we got to Finca La Anita we unloaded all of our bags, Admired the stunning scenery, and got to get into our beds. The beds are extremely comfortable and are very clean and comfortable. The room Consist of 4 bunk beds, two showers, two toilets, and two sinks (small but efficent). After we got our beds situated We went to get our boots fitted, Which did not take long Wents at all but by the end We were starving.

The dinner That was made was absolutley fantastic. We had talapia, potatoes, broccoli, and salad Which Were all extremely delicious. For desert We had rice pudding, Which i had never tried before and I was amazed at how delicious it was. Costa Rican cooking is by far one of my favorite foods That I have tried and I can not wait to try more.

After dinner everyone Went back to Their beds and are currently are getting situated for bed. This day was very long, but very fun and interesting. I can not wait to see more of Costa Rica.

By: Leslie Chase

On our way to Costa Rica!

Track our flight!

Use FlightAware to track our plane and see when we land! 

FlightAware is a great way to track your son or daughters flight and make sure they make it to their location on time. Click on the image below to head to the Appstore and download it. (top one for apple phones and second for android phones)

Use the flight number to track the flight

To
first flight: DL2099
second flight: DL353

Return
first flight: DL356
second flight: DL2491

                  Apple

                  Android

1 Day Out

In one short day, 16 Trinity students (with Mr. Heintz and Mrs. Bohannon) will be in beautiful Costa Rica. We meet tomorrow morning at 4am (Delta Departures) and will be arriving in Costa Rica by lunch time. 

What a wonderful way to celebrate the start of summer.

Ant Man? Costumes not necessary.

No costume is needed to study the leaf cutter ants in Costa Rica. Just warm weather clothing, boots, bug spray, and a keen eye for the interesting.

In just a few days we will be knee deep in the rainforest of Costa Rica studying the different species of ants and conducting research. Wish us luck.

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