COURSE TITLE: NATURAL HISTORY & CULTURE OF

NO OF CREDITS: 5 QUARTER CREDITS WA CLOCK HRS: 50 [semester equivalent = 3.33 credits] OREGON PDU HRS: 50

INSTRUCTORS: RALPH M. CARLSON, PH.D. [email protected] WWW.ECOTEACH.COM US PHONE / FAX 360/598-3327 COSTA RICA 011-506/446-4542

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to enable K-12 teachers to teach their students about the culture and tropical eco-systems of Costa Rica. The course, held in Costa Rica, will provide up-close and personal hands-on field experiences in four of the seven ecological zones of the country. The course is intentionally designed to use the expertise of local, bilingual . Although most instruction is provided by our resident biologist, Inti Hughes, additional instruction is provided by local naturalists, guides and in some cases students and farmers. Classes will be held in the sea turtle reserves, the canals of the , the Arenal Volcano and the beaches and rain forest reserves of the Pacific coast. Participants will have ample time to engage in conversation with our biologist and mix with the local people.

Participants will gain the knowledge background necessary to; • Define the basic concepts of all ecological systems identifying the variety found in the tropics. • Describe and analyze the various adaptive / defensive mechanisms found in the plants and animals. • Explain the vast bio-diversity found in Costa Rica (5% of all the diversity on earth).

LEARNING OUTCOMES: As a result of taking this course, the participants will: 1. Develop a personal knowledge of bio-diversity and its importance to all living things 2. Discover the unique and creative adaptation strategies used by the plants and animals for survival 3. Prepare a field journal of their observations and discoveries to use as a basis for instructional planning 4. Prepare to use this information in their classroom instruction 5. Gain direct knowledge of the local culture through daily interactions Costa Rican people.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Following are the minimum course requirements for the granting of university quarter credit. Antioch University Seattle requires 75% or better to issue credit at the 400 level and 85% or better to issue credit at the 500 level. 1. Attendance and active participation in all class sessions 40% 2. Reading of articles, handouts and texts 30% 3. Satisfactory completion of all outside assignments 30%

Natural History & Culture of Costa Rica 1 Rev 6/12/2012 400 & 500 LEVEL OUTSIDE ASSIGNMENTS 1. Read the required text and prepare a short 1-2-page commentary on the first ten chapters. Additional readings will be provided as part of your pre-trip planning packet and during the study-tour. You will be expected to incorporate this information in the development of your teaching units.

2. Keep a daily log of activities, observations and presentation notes. This log is to be used later in preparing lessons and to provide you with a detailed record of your experiences. The course covers a great deal of material in a short period of time and the log insures that you will recall the details later. You will need to submit a copy of your log in order to receive your credit or hours for this course.

3. Prepare a thematic unit on one or more specific aspects of Costa Rica (i.e.. history, culture, bio- diversity, conservation). The unit will include at least 3 complete lesson plans to be used in an instructional setting. These must include a plan of delivery and may include one or more of the following; slides, video (yours, purchased, YouTube), worksheets and guided activities - i.e. writing, research, art.

4. Write a brief article (150 words) in journal or newspaper style describing one of the highlights of your trip. (We use these in our newsletter that you will receive after taking the course)

500 LEVEL OUTSIDE ASSIGNMENT: In addition to the 400 level work, complete one of the following:

5. Prepare a 5-page paper expanding on a specific aspect of your learning. Topics may include; o The educational system of Costa Rica o The turtle preservation projects o The Children's Rain Forest Project o Comparisons of the four ecological zones visited during the class o An ecological/political issue current in Costa Rica o Ecological management of resources in Costa Rica o Art and culture of the people of Costa Rica o Other topics may be selected with the instructorʼs prior approval.

6. Prepare a narrated slide presentation, or videotaped instructional unit on some aspect of Costa Rican ecology or culture, that can be used by other educators in presenting a unit to their classroom. The unit should include support materials; lesson plan, worksheets, evaluation, etc.

7. Prepare a presentation to be made to colleagues at a local, state or regional conference. Topics could include; o Bio-diversity of Costa Rica, o Conservation efforts in Costa Rica, o Volunteerism in Costa Rica or o INTERNET projects between classrooms in the and Costa Rica. The presentation should include a slide show and paper hand-outs for the audience.

ASSIGNMENT DUE DATE: All outside assignments must be received by the instructors within 1 month following the last class session. Papers and lesson plans may be submitted by e-mail.

Natural History & Culture of Costa Rica 2 Rev 6/12/2012 READING REQUIREMENTS: Participants are expected to read the first 150 pages of the text; Adventure Guide to Costa Rica by Harry S. Pariser (3rd ed.) prior to the first class session.

INSTRUCTOR EVALUATIONS OF WORK: All journals will be reviewed following the final class session. Please include a self- addressed envelope if you would like your work returned.

INSTRUCTOR QUALIFICATIONS TO TEACH THIS COURSE: Ralph Carlson, Ph.D., a retired Washington State teacher, founded EcoTeach in 1994. EcoTeach is committed to conservation and cultural awareness through education. EcoTeach has taken nearly 10,000 student and adult travelers to Costa Rica, Peru and . The hands-on activities make long lasting impressions on the communities visited and on the participants themselves.

EcoTeach brings student groups, teachers, individuals and families to ecological expeditions that focus on conservation work, authentic cultural exchange, guided exploration and fun. We combine the natural wonders of the country with continuous involvement in local activities, culture and ecology. Travelers get the opportunity to work side-by-side with local community members, and become immersed in the beauty of the country and its people.

Ralph and his wife Margarita life in Costa Rica, but return to the Pacific Northwest annually.

Natural History & Culture of Costa Rica 3 Rev 6/12/2012

NATURAL HISTORY & CULTURE OF COSTA RICA BIBLIOGRAPHY

Travel Guides (five of the many available) 1. The Adventure Guide to Costa Rica by Harry Pariser, 3rd ed., 1996. – my favorite 2. Costa Rica: A Natural Destination by Ree Strange – a nature lovers guide 3. Costa Rica: A Travel Survival Kit by Rob Rachowiecki – excellent travel book 4. The Costa Rican Traveller by Ellen Serby, 3rd ed., - environmentally and culturally sensitive 5. The New Key to Costa Rica by Beatrice Blake and Anne Becher, 12th ed., - ed # says it all

Flora and Fauna (again, just a few of the hundreds available) 1. The Costa Rica National Parks by Mario Boza. San Jose, Editorial Heliconia, 1988. 2. Butterflies of Costa Rica by Phillip de Vries. Princeton University Press, 1987. 3. Neotropical Rainforest Mammals by Louse Emmons, University of Chicago Press, 1990. 4. A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica by Gary Stiles & Alexander Skutch, Cornell University Press, 1989 5. Life Along the Jungle Floor by Donald Perry, Don Perro Press, Jan Jose, 1991. 6. A Naturalist in Costa Rica by Alexander Skutch, University of Florida Press, 1971 - a classic

Natural History & Culture of Costa Rica 4 Rev 6/12/2012