The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

Big Sandy High School students will travel to Costa Rica, June 5- 13, to conduct research and participate in a Sea Turtle Ecology Program. Big Sandy High School Students join the Field Science Program in Costa Rica.

Melanie Schwarzbach of Big Sandy High School has organized a group of 11 students to participate in a 9-day Sea Turtle Ecology Program in Costa Rica through Ecology Project International (EPI). EPI is a field science and conservation organization that partners scientists with local and international students and educators in ecologically critical environments in the Galapagos and Ecuador, Belize, Baja, Hawaii, and Yellowstone, as well as Costa Rica. On Big Sandy High School's course, students split their time between EPI's Pacuare Reserve and a rainforest biological station. At the Reserve, students conduct a turtle census, walking the beach each night in search of nesting leatherback sea turtles. When groups find adult turtles, they carry out a research protocol to gather important identifying information that will increase scientists' understanding of this keystone species. In the rainforest, the group will experience the country's incredible plant and animal life through daylight and nighttime hikes with naturalist guides. Big Sandy High School's course in Costa Rica runs from 6/5/2017 to 6/13/2017. About EPI EPI's mission is to improve and inspire science education and conservation efforts worldwide through field-based student- scientist partnerships. For more information on EPI's programs, visit their website at http://www.ecologyproject.org