Mrs Gabel and I are writing the blog tonight to give the students a break on their last night at Finca LaAnita.  Today the students (and ourselves) woke up to a bright and sunny morning, which lasted all day long!  The first sunny day we've had since arriving in Costa Rica.  Breakfast was a delicious meal of eggs, pinto gallo, yogurt and granola, fruit, juice and coffee....a pretty standard meal for us now.  Afterwards, students went to work with Adrian checking on their ant colonies and feeding them.  They also checked their plates to determine if indeed they were able to grow the Escovopsis parasite that can harm the fungus garden.  All groups had some growth and were able to see that newer fungus was free of the parasite while older fungus was more suseptible.  All groups were busy cleaning up their lab supplies and then went to work finishing their posters and official lab notebooks.  Adrian also talked about opportunities after this experience through OTS (Organization of Tropical Studies) and REU (Research Experience Undergrads).  Students heard about these groups that provide college students with reserach experience in other countries and Adrian was so kind as to offer his recommendation services to those applying for colleges in the next couple years.  Definitely something students should take advantage of!

Lunch consisted of salad, beef, pinto gallo, potatoes and fresh homemade tortillas as well as juice.  After lunch, students once again set off to work on their posters and Adrian rehearsed with each group what they were going to discuss in their final presentation.  We were sent off to our cabins to read so that the presentations would be a surprise to us as well.  Another group visiting the area from the Nicoya Penninsula toured the ranch to gain ideas and knowledge on how to improve their conservation program on the farm they own near the coast.  They are an off the grid campus with a semester and summer program focusing on tropical ecology and sustainabilty.  They evern stopped back to watch the presentations! 

At 4pm the final presenations began.  Each group had 15 minutes to discuss their experiment along with revisions, adjustments and statistical analysis of their data.  Los Vaqueros (Chris, Emma, Olivia and Kobie) tested how ash would act as a natrual repellent simulating a fire alarm for the ants.  Their test revealed that duct tape wrapped around the tree by itself as well as duct tape coated in ash from an furnace on the ranch both deterred ants from moving up and down the tree.  Los Tortugas Moradas (Grace, Shelby  and Katie C) tested citronella as a natural repellent.  They initially set out to test three forms of citronella (paste, leaves and a blank control) with a "bait" leaf but changed to putting a paste or leaves out in the ants foraging trail.  Their results showed the paste was a better deterrent than the leaves themselves.  Los Cientificos Locos (Dan, Katie L, Lauren and Sarah) tested how a tea made of achiotillo leaves would naturally repel ants. Achiotillo leaves contain arsenic and normally ants do not eat these leaves.  They used a high and low concentration for their teas and both seemed to work well in deterring the ants from consuming the leaves.  Los Hormigas de Fuego (Maddie, Amanda, Pedrum and Owen) tested a bell shaped device that fits around the tree trunk and had oil on the underside which ants cannot cross through as well as water in outer lip of the bell.  Their tests showed that the device deterred ants from moving up or down the tree.  All groups will be hopefully presenting their experiments and experience to parents and rotary members sometime after we return so more details can be given then about the rest of their projects.  Each student did an excellent job presenting and it was a remarkable group we took down here! 

Upon completing their presentations we said our goodbye's to Adrian and his wife Mariella.  This was graduation day for students and they celebrated with a trip to the pulperia (mini mini market) to buy candy.  Dinner followed shortly after with beef and chicken on homemade tortilla's and homemade taco chips.  Salsa, avacado, cheese and hot peppers were all available for toppings.  Since it is our last night here students will be busy packing up their belongings so we can head over to the dry forest tomorrow with a zip line canopy tour on the way.  It has truly been a great experience here at Finca La Anita and we know the students have enjoyed every moment of their research as well as their adventures hiking, swimming and community work.  Hard to believe we are leaving here and heading home in two days!  Kristin and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with each and every student and getting to know much more about them in such a wonderful place.  Thank you for giving us the chance to share this experience with them. 

Students will blog the next two nights, but we wanted to take the time to show our appreciation of how hard they have worked and what great individuals they are.  Good night and we will see you very soon!

Pura Vida (Pure life as the Costa Rican's say),
Katie Foley & Kristin Gabel