Friday, July 19, 2013

Day 5: July 19

Hello every one! It was another successful day in this exotic land known as Costa Rica. We woke up to thunder and heavy downpours, but somehow Anna still managed to find a way to run. We started off our day by discussing the results of the microbial experiment we did earlier this week. The discussion was in a group format and we reflected on what we could have done to make the experiments more accurate. This set us up for our next group discussion about our experiments with the ants. Every group presented their plans for the experiment and we all gave suggestions on how to further improve upon their ideas. We discussed how it is very important to conduct many consistent repetitions of a particular experiment to make the results as statistically accurate as possible. It was really helpful to hear what our peers had to say and hopefully they will make our experiments all the better.
After another delicious lunch, we headed to our canopy tour. It was very exciting to see the extensive bio-diversity of all the plants and insects that inhabit the canopy layer of the rainforest. We compared and contrasted the Costa Rican rainforest and the very familiar forests of Minnesota. For example, the roots of the trees in the rainforest have shallower root systems and have a wider circumference than the deciduous trees in Minnesota. Some of the group were lucky enough to see a sloth, however we all got to see a species of ants that have adapted to canopy life and acquired the ability to glide from tree to tree without wings. We even got to zip line upside down, which was an experience nobody is likely to forget!


Once we got back to the farm, we had some much needed rest time. Although, some of us had to go for a run and do their PSAT practice book. Our group is bonding fantastically over the many games of cards we play every chance we get, and through the amount of bug bites we seem to be accumulating by the second. After dinner (and another game of cards) we finally received the coveted lab notebooks from trips prior. We had the chance to look over past groups experiments and findings that were similar to our own. All of us are very excited to get up bright and early tomorrow and begin our own research!
Over and out, Meghan and The Claudster 
 

No comments:

Post a Comment