PARENT SESSION
Poster Session #21: Education.
Wednesday, August 8, 2001. Presentation from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Exhibition Hall
10
Students as researchers: sea turtle research partnerships in Costa Rica.
Pankratz, Scott1,3, Brewer, Carol 2, Osborn, Julie3, 1 3 2
ABSTRACT- Scientists at the Pacuare Nature Reserve (Caribbean coast of Costa Rica) have monitored a population of nesting leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) for >8 years. Leatherbacks come ashore to nest at the Reserve from late March - June. As part of the Sea Turtle Ecology Program (STEP), 49 students and 12 teachers from public and private schools in Costa Rica worked with partner scientists to monitor nesting sea turtles at the Reserve. During nightly beach patrols, every student worked with at least one turtle. Over eight nights (~120 person-hours; May 9-16, 2000), student patrols covered ~210 km of shoreline, collected data on 39 leatherback sea turtles, and relocated 23 nests to protect them from poachers. Students measured and tagged leatherbacks, counted and weighed eggs, and collected data on beach slope, nest depth, and distance to ocean. Student data compared well with data collected on the same turtles by researchers (n=24) earlier in the season (carapace length varied by 1.6 cm, SE = 0.3; carapace width varied by 2.0 cm, SE=0.3). Site-based partnerships forge cultural connections between scientists and students because students learn first hand what scientists do, how they do it, and why they do it. By participating in authentic site-based research, students learn ecological principles, participate in science investigations, and develop skills needed to make a positive difference in conservation efforts.
KEY WORDS: Dermochelys coriacea, Partnerships, Conservation, Education