After learning about the ecological significance of Dolfo Dulce and its status as one of the most important places in the world, we were eager to begin our research with this fresh knowledge. We were all excited to see these incredible marine mammals more than ever before.

Only 20 minutes after boarding our board, we spotted our first dolphins. We couldn’t stop shouting ! Dolphins! Dolphins! Here! Look!

Everyone on board quickly grabbed their cameras to capture this moment, unaware that there was more to see. In fact, throughout our research, we had the opportunity to observe a total of six dolphins. Among them were two mothers, two babies and one male. The babies swam alongside their mothers while the male dolphin stayed close to them. One of the babies was almost three years old, while the other was just a few weeks old, if my notes are correct.

On the boat, we not only took pictures of the dolphins for photo identification but also recorded their GPS locations, water temperature, and conditions.

Speaking of photo identification, dolphins have unique dorsal fins, similar to human fingertips. Each dolphin has its own distinctive fin structure, making it identifiable as an individual. During our research, we encountered a dolphin that hadn’t been seen in a long time. It was a male dolphin with a white marking on its dorsal fin. Dolphins have melanin pigment in their skin, just like we do, and when they injure, their skin heals, but melanin pigment doesn’t produce color. That’s why our male dolphin had a white color on its dorsal fin.

Although seeing beautiful baby dolphins made us happy for Dolfo Dulce, noticing a fungal infection on our male dolphin was concerning. Dolphins can become infected with a condition known as Lobomycosis-like disease (LLD) when the water is polluted with chemical and organic matter. The risk of fungal infection increases when the water’s salinity decreases. Dr. Lenin mentioned that almost all dolphins outside of Golfo Dulce have been infected with fungal infections, but fortunately, the dolphins here are relatively safe. There are not many dolphins infected by fungus. However, this infection raised concerns among our researchers about the water conditions.

We also learned that female dolphins tend to be more attached to specific locations compared to males. Females find suitable nurseries for their babies, and once they find optimal conditions, such as those in Golfo Dulce, they remain in the area. Of course, this isn’t the case for all dolphins, but many of them follow this pattern.

On average, dolphin calves stay with their mothers for four years, with the mother nursing her baby throughout that entire period. However, this is just an average, as we were told that some dolphins can nurse their babies for up to seven years! I asked what would happen if the mother loses her baby within the first four years, let’s say within a year of the baby’s birth. Dr. Lenin explained that in such cases, the mother dolphin can become sexually receptive to mate and have another baby. They don’t have to wait for the full four years. It’s not genetically predetermined; it’s the dolphin’s choice. Once a mother has a baby, she devotes her energy and time to caring for the baby and ensuring its well-being. She teaches it everything it needs to know.

Subsequently, our discussion led us to orcas, the largest predators in the ocean! To my embarrassment, I always believed orcas are whales, unaware that they are actually the largest and most formidable members of the dolphin family. Orcas are known to prey on dolphins, including those found in Golfo Dulce. I discovered that orca mothers nurse their babies up to eight years.

After eight years, female orca babies separate from their mothers, whereas male babies typically remain with their mothers. When I asked about the reason behind male orcas sticking with their moms, I was told that the answer is still unknown. However, scientists speculate that, similar to many other dolphins, orcas have a strong sense of community and want to appear strong or masculine in the open ocean. This led me to the discovery that within dolphin society, the elder mother assumes the role of the leader, possessing wisdom and guiding the group in the water. This matriarch, often referred to as “Grandma,” possesses knowledge about the society, feeding grounds, predators, raising babies, nursery locations, and more.

While dolphins in open water form large groups due to the presence of predators, the group size in Golfo Dulce is relatively small, as they lack the fear of predators. Nonetheless, they still stick together as a group, albeit not as large as an extended family, so to speak.

Towards the end of our boat ride, we ventured to a coastal area of Golfo Dulce to observe mangroves and encounter stingrays. We were incredibly fortunate not only to witness numerous stingrays but also to catch a rare sighting of an eagle ray, which, according to David, is infrequently seen by people.

Savoring the Flavor of Fresh Coconut Water and Meat

After a long day of research and discussion, we were treated to a satisfying lunch! I won’t delve into the details of the food, but I must say, these tropical fruit juices are absolutely delightful!

Just before sunset, David took us on a little adventure to explore some local fruits. He led us to the shoreline and guided us into the enchanting mangroves. With the low tide, navigating through the area was easy. There, he picked a couple of large coconuts from the ground and skillfully opened them using a big stick he found. After removing the tough outer husk, he used a machete to crack them open, revealing the refreshing coconut water and delicious meat inside. It was my first time having freshly opened coconut, and I was amazed. The water inside was cool and seemed to bring a sense of tranquility, thanks to its mineral content. After enjoying the water, David expertly sliced out the coconut meat with his small knives. The taste was simply incredible! I wished I could share this experience with my family and let them savor the flavor.

Next, David took us to a spot where sugarcanes grow naturally. He cut off a section of the sugarcane and began peeling it. Then, he made several cuts along the length of the cane. He showed us how to enjoy its juice by sucking the sweet water from its thick fibers. I couldn’t believe that such a humble-looking plant could offer such an intensely sweet flavor. It was truly an extraordinary experience.

It was a day in fall 2022 when I was designing unit plans for my participation in the NOAA Teacher at Sea Program. As part of the program, I had been part of the NOAA’s Thomas Jefferson ship crew, surveying Lake Erie during the summer of 2022. While searching for background information on NOAA’s website, I came across a grant aimed at increasing marine literacy among people from underrepresented populations. I thought this grant would be something worth pursuing for my students, but I was unsure about my chances of securing it. I felt a bit nervous since I had applied for many small grants and fellowships before, but never something of this magnitude. Despite my apprehension, I decided to apply, knowing that the worst outcome would be a rejection. So, I submitted my application.

A month later, I received an email informing me that our proposal had been accepted, and we had been awarded a grant to support our students’ marine expedition in Costa Rica! I was left speechless and couldn’t believe that this was actually happening. Until that moment, I had thought it impossible to take urban kids on an international expedition for 8 days. It was an unprecedented opportunity for our school and district.

Here was Project Proposal Summary:

The “Urban Citizen Scientists Support Preservation of Costa Rican Marine Ecosystem” project will enable 6 minority students and 2 teachers from Columbus, Ohio, to participate in a 10-day immersive experience in Gulfo Dulce, Costa Rica. During this expedition, students and teachers will conduct research on marine mammals and predators in the field. This project aims not only to foster a deeper understanding of ocean literacy through hands-on research to protect marine ecosystems but also to educate students about sustainable marine science programs and raise awareness of future career options.

How did I learn about the Marine Mammals and Predators Research in Costa Rica?

This is a story I believe everyone should hear. Up until the point of receiving the grant from the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, I had been fortunate enough to receive numerous professional development grants and fellowships for teachers. My summer breaks were typically filled with incredible opportunities to learn and expand my knowledge of STEM education. One such opportunity was the Earthwatch Teach Earth Teacher Fellowship, which I had the privilege of participating in during the summer of 2021. I was fortunate to travel to Acadia National Park in Maine with a group of teachers from across the United States to study its biodiversity and the impact of climate change on the ecosystem. It was an unforgettable nine days during which I learned so much about biodiversity, climate change, and the importance of protecting our planet. It truly was a life-changing experience.

Following that, I applied to become a senior fellow for Earthwatch Teach Earth, hoping to lead a group of teachers experiencing the fellowship for the first time. However, I received an email informing me that I hadn’t been selected for the fellowship. About a month later, I received another email from the program coordinator, inviting me to become a senior fellow as the chosen individual had contracted Covid-19 and was unable to participate. With the expedition less than a week away, I had to make a quick decision, and of course, my response was a resounding yes! Within a week, I found myself in Arizona’s Chiricahua Mountains studying owl ecology and habitat. It was yet another life-changing experience. These two experiences taught me about the incredible work that Earthwatch scientists are doing to protect our Earth while also teaching citizens to become “scientists” themselves through citizen science initiatives. I also became aware of the various expeditions Earthwatch offers worldwide, catering to both adults and teens.

This formed the foundation of my grant proposal. Inspired by my time as a NOAA Teacher at Sea Fellow and an Earthwatch Teach Earth Fellow, I realized I could take my students on one of these Earthwatch teen expeditions to showcase real scientific work happening in the field.

If I hadn’t been a NOAA Teacher at Sea Fellow and an Earthwatch Teach Earth Fellow, I would never have created this proposal for my students. By combining my two fellowship experiences, I am able to provide my students with a unique opportunity to learn more about the world.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the NOAA Teacher at Sea, Earthwatch Institute, and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation for making all of this possible!

Here is the press release for the grant:

Silver Spring, Md. – March 1, 2023 – NOAA Ocean Exploration and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation have awarded 12 grants to help engage and inspire the next generation of ocean explorers by supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) efforts related to ocean literacy and workforce development.

The DEIA Ocean Exploration Education Grants first launched in 2021 with the goal of advancing ocean exploration learning opportunities by investing in projects and partners that support the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) workforce development pipeline and engage diverse learners from communities that have been historically underserved and underrepresented in ocean science and exploration. These grants are for use by educators and/or education program implementers working at the intersection of STEAM education and DEIA to support the workforce development pipeline where barriers are most prohibitive to recruitment and retention of diverse learners.

This year, a total of 12 DEIA Ocean Exploration Education Grants were awarded. Nine grantees were each awarded up to $20,000 to fund their projects. Additionally, three grantees from the 2021 funded projects were awarded an additional $7,500 to continue and expand project efforts from the previous year. All projects will take place throughout Spring/Summer 2023.

“Our teams were truly impressed by the innovative methods each project used to address many barriers limiting access and opportunities for youth from historically marginalized communities from entering ocean science and exploration careers,” said Allison Alexander, Vice President, Program Operations for the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. “We are excited to offer these grants again this year to support additional efforts to knock down barriers and advance the field by making it more inclusive and equitable to all.”

“I am proud that NOAA and the Foundation continue to open doors for the next generation of Ocean Explorers by providing ocean literacy and workforce development opportunities to diverse youth across the country,” said Jeremy Weirich, Director of NOAA Ocean Exploration. “Supporting the next generation of ocean scientists and ocean stewards – the foundation of a new, more equitable workforce – is a critical step in advancing a U.S. Blue Economy for years to come.”

Learn more about the projects, click here.

Pura Vida!

Greetings from the land of pure life. Indeed, this expression sums up Costa Rica. It is beautiful, and in fact, it feels like it is a miniature version of heaven. 

After our early flight from Columbus, OH, we had a layover in Atlanta. From there, we flew to the capital city of Costa Rica, San Jose. In order to reach our research camp, we had to take a domestic flight on a small jet plane that accommodated only 11 people. The whole plane was almost exclusively for us, with only three more tourists accompanying us.  

The domestic flight terminal was really small, located just outside of the international airport. You literally needed to exit the international terminal and walk about 5 minutes sideways to get there. It was a very small terminal where all the charter flights took you where you needed to go. The boarding passes for domestic flights were really cool. They were laminated cards that said “Sansa Airlines Boarding Pass” on the front, and the back featured either a Costa Rica map or pictures of Costa Rica’s landscapes and wildlife.

We boarded our small plane to go to Puerto Jimenez, which is closer to the airport where we needed to go. The flight took 50 minutes. Once we arrived, our Earthwatch team was waiting to take us to the camp. 

We loaded all our luggage into the van and headed to our research camp, El Chontal Ecolodge. It took about 25 minutes. 

Finally, we arrived at our camp site. As the name indicates, it is an ecolodge, meaning everything is made in its natural state. The place we stayed in was made of wood, and the walls were half way up, with the other half netted to allow air to circulate. The bathroom literally had a pipe coming from outside, and you showered without hot water. When I heard that there was no hot water, I thought this was going to be tough! But I don’t blame anyone for not having hot water! There is no need to. The water is naturally 30-31 Celsius (86-88 degrees Fahrenheit), and since it is so hot and humid out there, you simply take a shower with the natural water temperature. It’s been great so far! We also have a ceiling fan that creates a little breeze in the room.

Anyway, after we settled down, we were called to the meeting area, which was an open place in the middle of the camp, for our safety training. It had a white board, chairs, tables and a bookshelf. The place really blended with nature.

Dr. Lenin Enrique Oviedo Correa is our principal investigator at this research center, where he has been studying marine mammals and predators over 25 years here in Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica. He explained to us the potential risks at the camp, on the boat, and in the rainforest, how to identify them, and how to prevent risks. It’s mandatory to know safety measures before engaging in any activities at our camp.

After enjoying a delicious homemade dinner, we all went to bed early to ensure we Had were ready early in the morning.

First Full Day in Golfo Dulce

Breakfast starts at 7:30 am. Most of us woke up around 6:30 am, but some of the kids had a hard time waking up. After reminding them that they would be hungry if they missed breakfast because they wouldn’t get anything until lunch, they immediately woke up and were ready to walk to breakfast.

I didn’t mention the place where we eat our breakfast, lunch and dinner. Our host and researcher, David, who is also the owner of the land, has their house at the camp. We actually ate our meals on his house porch. The meals were prepared by his wife and mother. The food was incredibly delicious. Everything was made from scratch, fresh and organic. For every meal, we had freshly squeezed tropical fruit juices, which was one of the best experiences of my life. I had never tasted fruit juices that delicious in my life. Even common fruits that you can find in the grocery stores in the States like pineapple and mango, had a completely different and indescribable taste. They were full of flavor.

When I asked our host, David, why the fruits taste different here, he immediately laughed and gave an example to describe commercialized fruit farms. He explained that, for instance, pineapples take a whole year to ripen, and when they are fully ripe, they have their full flavor, and that’s when they are picked. However, in commercialized pineapple farms, the farmers would harvest pineapples three times a year, picking them up at early stages, and shipping them to different parts of the world. This is why you don’t get any flavor from the fruit you eat, he concluded. Additionally, I believe that since most commercial fruit farms are not organic, it also affects the flavors.

Speaking of David’s family, it’s more than just serving us food because we were there. It’s more than that. They prepared the food with love and showed their hospitality to their guests. You can truly feel it. Most of the places I have been professionally, this was not the case. In those places, you know that people are working to prepare food for you, and you get in line and take whatever at that moment. After 30 minutes or so, they just leave because that’s their clock and they have to move on. I’m not saying this bad, but I am trying to highlight the difference in perspectives. Here, you know that David and his family are not just hosting you because it’s their job, but they also embrace you as part of their family and treat you accordingly.

Our First Boat Ride for the Research Project

After enjoying our delicious breakfast, we headed down to the ocean, boarded our boat, and ventured deep into the gulf. The weather was rainy and windy, causing the gulf to be quite choppy. After about an hour, we had to return to the camp due to weather conditions not being suitable for research. Nonetheless, it was a lot of fun riding a boat out on the water. I must mention that during our journey, I spotted flying fish! These incredible creatures literally emerged from the water, using their “wings” to glide through the air before diving back into the water. It was really a remarkable sight to behold!

Discussion on Marine Mammal Research

In the afternoon, we had our first discussion on marine mammals in Golfo Dulce and the importance of studying them here. 

We were told that there are three locations in the world with similar conditions to Golfo Dulce. Other two are in Brazil and Papua New Guinea. These tropical fjords provide optimal conditions for dolphins to raise their families. Everything they need, including temperature, abundant food, and protection from predators is available here. Because of these favorable conditions, Golfo Dulce is an ideal place to study dolphins. Among these three fjords, Golfo Dulce is the largest in size. I made a note in my journal, marked with double stars, stating “ we do science to inform conservation” which Dr. Lenin summarized as the purpose of his work. He specifically focuses on behavioral science to observe dolphins behaviors in the Golfo Dulce.

Researchers observe and interpret animal behaviors, making decisions based on their findings.. It was fascinating to learn how researchers even recognize individual animals in these waters based on their observations and behaviors. If they notice any unusual behavior, then they investigate the reason behind it. This is how much they know about each individual animal in Golfo Dulce. 

We also discussed whales, especially humpback whales. Unfortunately, during our time in Costa Rica (May 15-23), we will not be able to see any whales. Humpback whales are migratory animals that travel from their feeding grounds in Antarctica during winter time (summer in the Southern Hemisphere) and migrate to warmer waters near the tropics to have babies. The Golfo Dulce region is a perfect place for whales to have their calves. Due to their migratory behavior, they arrive in this area in June and we will miss their epic journey while we are staying. However, we were told that they might arrive earlier this year due to the El Nino effect. The El Nino effect causes warmer temperatures, which may prompt the whales to migrate earlier. During the El Nino season, global temperatures rise, and the effects can have catastrophic consequences worldwide. So, there is a concern about what will happen this summer. I remember David mentioning that during the last El Nino season a couple years ago, there were many dead fish in the water due to unusually warm water temperatures. 

We were also told that the major humpback whale casualties are caused by collisions with commercial ships. Since 2018, Golfo Dulce has been protected from commercial fishing, which provides relief for humpback whale calves. 

Welcome to the Most Biologically Intense Place on Earth

This was the title National Geographic article about Costa Rica back then. The researchers discovered an average of 700 different plant species in just one square meter in Costa Rica. And that’s only plants! Imagine the number of species when including other creatures. Among these 700 species, 80 of them are endemic, meaning they are found only in Costa Rica and nowhere else in the world. 

Stay tuned for more updates on our exciting adventures!