- The Expedition
- Meet the Team
- Resources
Join us as we venture out on our Earthwatch expedition, Costa Rican Sea Turtles, from January 23rd to February 1st, 2008!
We are 6 teachers from New York, Massachusetts and Florida who will be working with Earthwatch supported scientists, Drs. Frank V. Paladino, Harold W. Avery, James R. Spotila,
and Bryan Wallace.
Researchers and scientists have been working with leatherback sea turtles on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica for the past 17 years. This work has led to the establishment of a National Park and a Marine Biology field station - a big step in the conservation of this endangered species.
This project involves tagging and identifying sea turtles, recording turtle size, nest location, number of eggs laid and the hatchling success rate due to nest location. We will may excavate and transport nests to a safer location; study metabolism, digestion, and growth of hatchlings; study endocrinology and genetics; or attach satellite, radio, and sonic telemetry devices to monitor interesting migrations as well as diving and behavioral physiology. Most of our work will be done between11p.m. and 6 a.m. We are joining this project late in the season when a lot of the eggs will be hatching.
Follow our adventures with these baby sea turtles on our daily blogs.
Meet the Teachers
Fiona O'Doherty
Marymount School
New York, NY
Hi my name is Fiona O'Doherty. I am a member of the Mathematics Department at Marymount School of New York where I currently teach Geometry, Algebra 2 and AP Calculus. I grew up in Ireland but I have been teaching and living in the New York Area for the past 20 years- I originally planned to stay for only 1 year, but this amazing city cast its spell on me! This will be my first trip to Costa Rica and I am excited to share this adventure with you.
Blog: http://www.earthwatchxtreme.org/LFF/Marymount/
Jennifer Seshadri
Marymount School
New York, NY
Hi, my name is Jennifer Seshadri and I teach Middle School Science at the Marymount School of New York. I have been a teacher for ten years, and this is my third year at Marymount, an all girls independent school. I cherish the opportunity to encourage young girls to get involved in the world of science and, when I am not teaching or coaching, I love to travel to interesting places and explore the wonders of the natural world. I am so excited to go to Costa Rica and share my experiences with my students.
Blog: http://www.earthwatchxtreme.org/LFF/Marymount/
Anne Weller
Perkins Elementary School
Pinellas County, FL
I have been teaching in Pinellas County Schools for 20 years. I currently teach Gifted Education for grades 1-5 at Perkins Elementary School. Our school is a magnet school for the Arts and International Studies. I enjoy travelling with my family on summer mission trips. We have served in Honduras, Guatemala and Peru. I look forward to this wonderful opportunity to work with scientists and sea turtles. I hope to learn more about the scientific processes that the researchers use and pass on the valuable experience to my students.
Blog: http://www.earthwatchxtreme.org/LFF/Weller/
Jennifer Bremer
Framingham, MA
My name is Jennifer Bremer. I teach math and literacy skills in Framingham, MA. I am very excited with the Sea Turtles expedition to Costa Rica. Some of my favorite things are nature walks and photography, and now I get to share my impressions of both directly from Costa Rica!
Blog: http://www.earthwatchxtreme.org/LFF/Framingham/
Josh Fox
Framingham, MA
My name is Josh Fox. I’m an 8th grade Math and Science teacher in Framingham, MA. I’ve traveled a lot through the U.S., but this will be my first time visiting another country (besides Canada). I will miss my dog Buddy a lot. I love to hike, bike, and ski. I’m excited to learn about Costa Rican culture and to help protect the Leatherback Sea Turtles.
Blog: http://www.earthwatchxtreme.org/LFF/Framingham/
Katherine Fuentes-DeLima
Cameron Middle School
Framingham, MA
¡Hola! My name is Katherine Fuentes-DeLima. I'm a teacher at Cameron Middle School in Framingham MA. I teach Spanish I and Native Speaker Spanish to grades 6-8. I enjoy my job very much because I love seeing how my students are able to use their newly acquired language skills through skits and role-plays. I also love to teach my students about other cultures and open up their world to new perspectives.
I enjoy spending time with my husband, two children and two dogs (boxers). We love to travel, watch movies, cook and relax. I also love to dance and practice yoga!
I am very excited to be participating in the Costa Rican Turtles Earthwatch Expedition. I'm eager to learn all about the turtles as well as all about the Costa Rican culture. I can't wait to be there and bring back to my classroom everything I have learned on my trip. I can't wait to get to Costa Rica!
Blog: http://www.earthwatchxtreme.org/LFF/Framingham/
Meet the Scientists
Dr. Frank Paladino
Indiana-Purdue University
Welcome to our 15th year of Costa Rican Sea Turtles. Costa Rica is exotic but tame: The people are friendly, the water is warm, and there is plenty to see and do. The leatherbacks are remarkable. Watching one of these huge animals haul onto the beach and lay its eggs is a fantastic experience. The scientists and staff are highly trained, motivated, and experienced in field biology and look forward to working with you. See you in Playa Grande!
| Costa Rica |
Earthwatch Expedition Briefing
Earthwatch Classroom Earth Case Study
Photographs from the expedition
A Year on Earth. Photos and video clips of turtles nesting and interview with scientist filmed by three high school students volunteering on Earthwatch’s Costa Rican Sea Turtles expedition.
The Leatherback Trust includes comprehensive information about leatherback turtles and research at Las Baulas National Park over the last decade
Results and data from 2001-2007 nesting seasons
Q & A with Earthwatch scientist, Dr. Frank Paladino
Q & A with Earthwatch scientist, Dr. Richard Reina
National Geographic Xpeditions Lesson Plan: Can Research Save the Leatherback Turtle?
National Geographic Critter Cam Interactive Mission: Leatherback Sea Turtle
Map
