Astor
Collegiate Students Explore Costa Rica
By Patrick Rocchio
One Bronx high school is taking an
innovative approach to having students learn
about science and the environment: they are
sending their students off to South America*
to learn about the eco-system in a real rain
forest.
Nine students from Astor Collegiate High
School at the Christopher Columbus High
School campus at 925 Astor Avenue headed to
Costa Rica for a learning expedition from
April 2 to April 11 with two faculty
members.
They came away with much more than first
hand knowledge of the rainforest. They also
took away ideas about a culture much
different from their experiences in the
Bronx.
“They explored the culture, diversity, and
customs of Costa Rica, and we are just
thrilled to provide this educational
opportunity for our students,” said
principal Rose LoBianco. "Our faculty and
staff recognize the impact that this kind of
trip can have on learning because it expands
knowledge across different subjects."
While in Costa Rica, the students
experienced all of the different things the
Costa Rica has to offer, and what life is
like for those who live deep in the
countryside.
“One of the things that made a lasting
impression on the students was a visit to a
one-room schoolhouse with one teacher for
eight grades," said assistant principal
Joseph Calusi, one of the chaperons. "We
were able to expose kids who are from the
Bronx to things that they wouldn't normally
experience. We stood at the foot of a
waterfall. We went kayaking.”
Calusi added: “We crossed from mountaintop
to mountaintop on a zip line with a harness
tied around each person. Below us were
100-foot drops. When you are sliding across
the zip line, it feels like you are in an
airplane.”
The nine students, four girls and five boys
who are juniors and seniors, and maintained
a higher than 80 average to qualify for the
trip, said that it certainly was an
eye-opening experience both in terms of the
rain forest and the culture of the country.
“When we were going to Costa Rica, we didn't
expect the people to be so poor,” said
student Joshual Lopez. “We came there with
the mentality of people here [in the United
States]. “
For the students, the trip had them come to
rely on one another and become close in a
short period of time.
* Editor's note
Last time we checked, Costa Rica was still
in Central America, which is part of the
North American continent |
