Trinity High School Costa Rica Science Research Trip 2016: 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.