DAY 1: In the Beginning...

"The Journey" to the Monteverde Cloud Forest by Errol Quest

Our Costa Rican adventure began with a classic travel mix-up that would set the tone for our week of unexpected discoveries.

After converging from airports across the country on Sunday, our team of 11 educators—mostly from Math for America in New York, plus colleagues from Maine and Vermont—gathered at what was supposed to be Lavazza Café on the second floor of San José's international airport. The café had been renamed "Brit," leading to a frantic search through the terminal as we showed pictures to airport workers and eventually tracked down our missing teammates with help from our team leader, Danilsa. The confusion was oddly fitting for a group about to embark on a scientific expedition where adaptation and problem-solving would be key skills. We were then introduced to our extremely knowledgeable and amazing science researcher, Evie, who welcomed us with such a beautiful smile and the warmth second only to the Arenal volcano!

Once assembled, we embarked on a three-hour odyssey with our professional driver Alex, whose careful driving would prove essential as we left the familiar behind. Our first stop at Walmart provided a glimpse into Costa Rican daily life as we gathered snacks and personal items, followed by a restaurant break where we savored our first taste of authentic local cuisine. The journey itself became a metaphor for our research mission—starting on smooth, well-paved highways with clearly marked traffic lines and busy intersections, then gradually transitioning to the unknown as we turned onto local gravel roads.

The final stretch was both terrifying and exhilarating: narrow mountain roads with hairpin turns, cliffs on both sides, single-lane bridges, and steep slopes that seemed to climb endlessly into clouds that reduced visibility to mere feet. Despite the treacherous terrain, Alex's professionalism kept us safe as we literally ascended into a different world.

First Glimpses of Paradise and Scientific Purpose

Arriving at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve in the darkness felt like stepping into another realm entirely. The temperature shift from San José's oppressive heat to the cool, breezy mountain air was immediate and refreshing, while the sounds of the rainforest—birds chirping, leaves rustling, mysterious calls from unseen creatures—created a natural soundtrack that would become the backdrop to our week. The air itself felt different: fresh, clean, and alive with the kind of biodiversity we'd only read about in the expedition briefing.

Our accommodations at the CCT lodge exceeded every expectation—spacious rooms constructed from natural wood planks, bunk beds, and balconies that offered views over steep embankments thick with foliage so dense it seemed impenetrable. The rustic cabin feel was both cozy and adventurous, perfectly suited for researchers ready to immerse themselves in nature.

The magic of Day 1 continued as we gathered for our first authentic Costa Rican meal: perfectly seasoned beans and rice with tender chicken breast strips, fresh salad, and crispy green plantains (tostones) that introduced our palates to new flavors.

Throughout the evening, we discovered the fascinating paths that had led each of us to this remote corner of Costa Rica. Lauren's well-traveled storybook life included adventures across over 70 countries, backpacking through South Asia, and two transformative years serving in the Peace Corps in Jamaica. Chris brought his own impressive travel portfolio—28 countries and 41 states—along with his skills as both an avid photographer and competitive pool player. Diana A. shared how it had taken her 23 years to finally reach Costa Rica, a fitting journey for someone who was part of the original Maine team that created the Next Generation Science Standards.

The diversity of our group became even more apparent as stories continued to unfold. Derek was pioneering work with a news organization to bring short documentary films into science classrooms, while Lea, despite being shy and introverted, channeled her love for the outdoors through hiking and marathon running. Our team leader Danilsa revealed her unique approach to making math more relevant—bringing experiential learning that goes outside the box to her students (though she admitted her strong dislike of cheese). Cesar was bridging two worlds as both a math and art teacher, working to forge connections between the disciplines in his classroom. Diana D. had recently received the prestigious Albert Einstein fellowship, preparing to spend a year in Washington, D.C., working on STEM education policy. JoAnn had built a seven-circuit labyrinth in her after-school club, while Susan was learning to sail her own boat—each story revealing the creative, adventurous spirits that had drawn us all to this conservation mission.

Our formal introduction to the research came when Dr. Peter's amazing team members, Evie and Fran, provided a warm welcome that immediately made us feel like valued contributors rather than mere observers. enthusiasm for the pollinator conservation work was infectious as they outlined how our efforts over the coming week would contribute to potentially groundbreaking research that could help Costa Rica become the first Central American country to institute national pollinator protection policies. Even our first wildlife sighting—a curious coati spotted by one team member—felt like a good omen for the discoveries ahead.

As we retired to our rooms, the small adventure of waiting for the solar-heated water to warm up in the showers became a lesson in patience and adaptation that would serve us well in fieldwork. The group dynamic that had emerged throughout the day was remarkable—despite being strangers that morning, we had connected immediately, sharing stories and laughter as if we'd known each other for years. These weren't just educators on vacation—they were passionate individuals drawn to hands-on scientific research and conservation, each bringing unique perspectives shaped by labyrinths and sailboats, documentaries and marathons, art and mathematics. Lying in our comfortable bunk beds, listening to the sounds of the cloud forest just outside our windows, we drifted off to sleep filled with genuine excitement about the real scientific work that awaited us and the chance to contribute meaningful data to the understanding and protection of Costa Rica's incredible biologically diverse communities.