3. Ignacio (Nacho)
Ignacio (Nacho) Escorriola
Director of Education
Nacho (short for Ignacio) is a born and raised Costa Rican who has been interested and
involved in the natural sciences since he was a child. Even though he grew up in San
Jose, (the capital city located in the Central Valley), his access to two oceans provided the
perfect inspiration to become the marine biologist he is today. Nacho comes to Scholastic
Expeditions with a vast and varied background in outdoor science education. He has
worked for over 20 years as an Environmental Consultant and Environmental Educator.
He has performed numerous services in both tourism and with rural communities doing
Community Development Projects. Nacho has led and continues to lead students on
programs throughout his countryâs many ecosystems. He loves his job as it unites his
duel passions for teaching ecology and his beloved Costa Rica!
Nacho creates and develops all Scholastic Expeditions hands-on curriculum and trains
our guides on any necessary methodologies.
In his spare time, he enjoys photography and being outdoors with his family hiking,
mountain biking, and participating in waters sports.
Education:
⢠1982-1988 â Bachelor of Science - Marine Biology from Universidad Nacional,
Heredia, Cost Rica
⢠1987-1988 â Student Exchange Program with East Carolina University
⢠1988-1991 â Masters of Science -Marine Biology from University of North Carolina
⢠1991-1992 â International Development Policies Graduate Program, Duke University
North Carolina
⢠1999-2001 â Masters of Science - Interdisciplinary Ecology from University of Florida
through a Fulbright Scholarship
⢠2001-current â Ph. D in progress âFreshwater Wetlandsâ
32. Itinerary
DAY ONE ⢠La Tirimbina Rainforest Center
Students collect specimens and data in the rainforest and then
⢠Group met by Scholastic Expeditions upon arrival in Costa Rica. come back to the classroom to analyze and present their findings
⢠Orientation Dinner & Hotel Check-In to their peers.
⢠Dinner ⢠Lunch
⢠**Optional red-eye flight which will allow for tour of Poas Volcano ⢠White Water Rafting
and La Paz Waterfall Gardens. This is an amazing experience that allows them to traverse
DAY TWO through several different ecosystems while viewing Costa Rican
⢠Breakfast & Hotel Check-Out Depart for Tortuguero wildlife along the banks of the river.
⢠Aerial Tram ⢠Depart for Arenal Dinner & Hotel Check-In
This amazing experience will allow students to see the rainforest ⢠Nighttime Volcanic Observation
from both the forest canopy & floor. DAY FIVE
⢠Lunch ⢠Breakfast
⢠Earth University ⢠Arenal Volcano National Park & Waterfalls
Students will have an opportunity to interact with professors & Students will hike through the lava flows of this active volcano and
students at the university and participate in sustainable farming participate in activities that allow them to become volcanologists
activities. for the day!
⢠Canal boat ride to Tortuguero Dinner & Hotel Check-In ⢠Lunch
⢠Night Turtle Beach Walk ⢠Community Service or Eco-Farm
DAY THREE Visit with Costa Rican students at a local school. Learn about their
⢠Breakfast culture and their day to day living and learning environments.
⢠Private Boat Tour Alternatively, students will work on an eco-farm and learn about
Students take a guided early-morning tour along the canals to look sustainable farming.
for birds, monkeys, and Cayman in this isolated wilderness. ⢠Leisure time in historic La Fortuna
⢠Walking Tour of Sendero Gavilan National Park ⢠Dinner
⢠Caribbean Conservation Corporation ⢠Arenal Volcanic Hot Springs
Students will get a special lecture about the sea turtle migration to Spend the evening relaxing in the natural hot springs.
Tortuguero. They will also learn about sustainable economics from DAY SIX
the locals. ⢠Breakfast & Hotel Check-Out Depart for Monteverde
⢠Lunch ⢠Boat ride across Lake Arenal
⢠Town of Tortuguero Tour ⢠Lunch
Depart for Sarapiqui Dinner ⢠Butterfly Garden
⢠Night Bat Tour Students spend the afternoon learning about all of the different
DAY FOUR species of butterflies as well as the adaptations each has made.
⢠Breakfast & Hotel Check-Out ⢠Leisure time in beautiful Santa Elena
33. Itinerary
⢠Dinner
⢠Frog Pond
Students view all of the famous species of frogs and learn about
the adaptations each has made to thrive in their environment
DAY SEVEN
⢠Breakfast & Hotel Check-Out
⢠Monteverde Canopy Tour
Students will zip line through the cloud forest for an exhilarating
once in a lifetime experience!
⢠Lunch
⢠Depart for San Jose
⢠Farewell Dinner & Hotel Check-In
DAY EIGHT
⢠Breakfast & Hotel Check-Out
⢠Time permitting, visit museums & historical sites
⢠Depart for home
34. Academic Points
Water and Soil Testing at 5 locations throughout the country. Five about how a Wildlife Rescue Center works and what socio-economic
sites in 5 different ecological zones (i.e. tropical forest, dry tropical and political realities affect habitat destruction.
forest, brackish waters, etc.). Comparison and analysis of the data
and presentation of ďŹndings at the end of the trip. Community Service
Monteverde ButterďŹy Gardens Programs Numerous projects available. Here is some options of what
Offers lab where students get to work with a variety of insects and students do: reforestation, painting School Grounds, Community
arachnids. Typical lab is where students will divide into groups and Centers, building infrastructure, working in childrenâs or elderly
each group will get either a group of ants, butterďŹies, cockroaches centers, assisting in various groups, i.e. Women groups that need
or spiders. Depending on level of group and preparation, students help harvesting medicinal plants and packing them, Tilapia farms,
give each other presentations that cover roles of bugs in their eco- preparing vegetables at school grounds etc.
system and the potential for human interference. Manuel Antonio National Park
Monteverde Forest Research Possibilities Beach/Rocky Shore Organisms Survey: with equipment perform a
Tree Measurement Project: comparison of tree density between a scientiďŹc survey of small aquatic organisms here. Possible
cloud forest and other regions visited. Contrast forested areas with comparison to Monteverde results.
protected and hypothesize reasons for any variances discovered. Discussion of Biological Corridors Project, National Park History and
Discussions on Golden Frog extinction. Numerous research or its role in the Costa Rican Conservation Efforts, discussion of CRâs
suggested topics students can participate in, i.e. role of biological Conservation Area System, ERâs Environmental Education Efforts and
adaptations, habitat loss, conservation measures, etc. Results, how Scarlet Macaw and /or Squirrel Monkey Studies are
conducted in a Protected Area and Buffer zones, how dolphin and
Freshwater Organisms Survey (aquatic insects) of small streams in whale research is conducted in CR, and marine and shore bird
Monteverde and perhaps other water bodies visited. studies are done. Depending on season, Turtle walk may be
Los Pumas Rescue Center possible or Turtle Night Patrol in Playa Rey with Local Ministry of the
Environment and other NGO officials.
Learn about Threatened and Endangered Wildlife Species such as :
Gray Fox, White-faced Monkey, Scarlet Macaw, and 5 of the 6 Costa
Rican Feline Species: Ocelot, Jaguarondi, Margay, Puma and Jaguar,
all of which are present at the Los Pumas Rescue Center. Learn also
36. Make it Happen!
⢠Contact your supervising teacher or
Susan Schai at (831) 440-1041
⢠The adventure of a lifetime awaits you!
37. How to Register
⢠Two part process:
1. Sign up online at
scholasticexpeditions.org
2. Send deposit of $250 to:
⢠5601 Scotts Valley Dr. Ste. 313
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
⢠And youâre all set!
