Starting June 17, four CHS students will spend a week inCosta Ricato learn about the environment and earn college credit through the World Strides learning program. AP Environmental Science teacher Markie Daniel discovered the program and offered all students who have taken AP Environmental Science the opportunity to participate.

“I really wanted to find a travel program having to do with environmental science. I contacted a few educational travel companies, and I really liked this one because it is all outside and focuses on hands on experience,” said Daniel.

There will be about 200 students from all over the country involved in the program. Daniel believes travelling abroad teaches important life skills to young adults and she is very excited about the program.

“I think its a great opportunity for young people to go out and be independent,” said Daniel. “I have had a couple of travelling experiences on my own when I was a student in high school, and you never forget it. You’re around a bunch of other young people, and not with your parents. You really get a sense of your own self.”

The learning aspects of the trip will include lessons on biodiversity, adaptation and the energy transference of native animals. There will also be opportunities to study the native wildlife, such as catching bats and exploring a butterfly garden. During their free time, the group is able to go zip-lining, hike through a cloud forest and river raft. Costa Rican community members also offer cooking and dancing lessons to the participants.

Students are able to earn up to three units of college credit for participating in the trip. One credit is earned for attending, and a student must apply for the other two once they return. 

“The nation is rich in cultural and natural history. The fact that I will be studying and seeing exotic plants and animals is a dream for any environmental enthusiast,” said senior Jordan C’Dealva-Lenik. “Its one thing to learn environmental science in a classroom; It’s entirely different learning environmental science and doing research in a massive tropical broadleaf rainforest.”

This is the first time the APES program has offered a foreign travel opportunity. If more students appear interested, Daniel will continue with travel opportunities in the future. •