INSTRUCTORS
Loriann Garcia & Jessica Healy
COURSE FEE: $5400
ESTIMATED OUT-OF-POCKET COST: $300
INTERVIEW: Yes
MAX CLASS SIZE: 14
PREREQs: No
DESTINATION
Panama
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Experience the rainforests of Central America steps from a wonder of the modern world- the Panama Canal. This course will begin in Panama City where we will explore the culture and history of the Republic of Panama. During our stay, we will travel by boat across the Panama Canal learning about the social and economic impacts of US-Panama relations before, during, and after construction. This course will also focus on the efforts of scientists to control mosquito-vectored diseases in the canal zone and worldwide, primarily through reading and discussion of the book Panama Fever. As we explore the canal zone, we will visit the world’s most well researched tropical areas and hike along Pipeline road, a world-renowned bird watching destination. We will spend a part of our trip at the Institute for Tropical Ecology and Conservation field station in Bocas Del Toro on the Caribbean where students will be able to hike, swim, and snorkel throughout various rainforest and marine habitats learning about tropical ecology and conservation techniques. An additional stay at the Cocobolo Nature Reserve field station on the Continental Divide will give students an opportunity to participate in conservation-related activities (such as bird-banding, camera trapping, and wildlife surveys) and to hike in a cloud forest.
EMAIL FACULTY: Loriann Garcia