2-20-03
TROPICAL BIOLOGY CLASS TRIP
A RESOUNDING SUCCESS FOR BEHREND STUDENTS
To introduce students at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, to tropical ecosystems, a biology class journeyed to Costa Rica to interact with wildlife in its native habitat. During the fall semester, Jeanette L. Schnars, lecturer in biology, and Lisa A. Mangel, lecturer in biology, co-taught two Tropical Biology courses, one for majors and one for non-majors.
Schnars and Mangel offered the course at two levels to encourage all interested students to attend. Both instructors were responsible for giving weekly lectures throughout the fall semester and accompanied the students on a two-week trip to Costa Rica. While in Costa Rica, all students were required to keep a journal and maintain a list of species encountered.
Raphael Robles, a native Costa Rican, was the naturalist for the trip. He received his college education in Mexico and worked in the United States as a botanist, and he has also published a botanical field guide for Costa Rica.
"He has been leading student group tours for many years" said Schnars, "and is incredibly knowledgeable about native flora and fauna and the cultural history of his country."
Also in attendance was Anita Shea, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Salem State College. She joined the group in hopes of expanding the curriculum of her school. Shea was more than impressed with the showing of Penn State Behrend faculty and students during their two-week outing.
"My experience on this trip was a success due in large part to my interactions with [Penn State Behrend] people," said Shea. "I know my college will benefit from their input."
During their time in Costa Rica, the students visited five major sites on or near the Caribbean coast, mostly protected lands such as national parks or nature reserves. Each site had a distinct and unique history and diverse wildlife population.
"Even though the sites were on the eastern side of the country," reported Schnars, "the differences in the ecosystems were easily observable."
Prior to leaving for the trip, each student was required to write a research paper on a specific topic relevant to the trip. While on the trip, the students gave oral presentations, often under the stars or a palm tree, and also answered questions about their topics while in the field. This work done in the field was taken seriously, and often, long question-and-answer sessions would ensue.
The course and the field trip were both considered a great success by all involved.
"The trip was a sensory feast," said one of the students in attendance, "simply due to the great wealth of wildlife and culture observed."
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Contact:
Loretta Brandon
(814) 898-6063 (O)
(814) 864-9922 (H)
e-mail: lzb6@psu.edu