Central Texas Science Team

03/30/2025

Helicopter ride giveaway April 10 through Central Texas Science for
Costa Rica research

Join our zoom info session (April 10, 6:30pm cst) and enter to win a
free helicopter tour of Austin from Austin Helitours
(https://austinhelitours.com)! Have you seen the orange camo
helicopter over ACL, Trail of Lights, and downtown? That's Austin
Helitours, the only licensed tour operator in Austin. The owner and
lead pilot is an alumni of the Costa Rica field research trip and is
also a former medevac pilot so you will be in safe hands!

We will be giving away two Austin Helitour flights during our April 10
zoom call info session for the 2025 summer field research trip (info
below this paragraph). To be eligible to win the flight, simply join
our 30 minute zoom information system and keep your camera on. We'll
randomly select two names at the end of the call.

To receive the zoom link send us a message at [email protected],
facebook.com/ctstcostarica or Instagram: centraltxscience!

Central Texas Science, in conjunction with Seeds of Change, is filling
spots in our summer 2025 Tropical Rainforest Summer Research Program.

Our field research trip provides students with the microbiological and
computational biology tools required for antibiotic discovery.
Students learn from top scientists from the University of
Wisconsin and the University of Costa Rica!

This is the only field research of its kind in the country.

Here is why this is so valuable for high school students:

1. This is a RARE opportunity that allows them to gain field research
experience.
2. One of the only experiences that they can do is ORIGINAL summer research.
a. Allows for KEY distinctions on their transcript to give them an edge.
3. They experience HANDS-ON field research on the Costa Rican Rainforest.
4. Learn to apply the scientific method with fellow students and
mentored by world-renowned scientists.

Trip Timeline:
● June 29 - July 9, 2025
○ 4 SPOTS LEFT!

Investment for Experience: $4,440 (Completely inclusive: Food, travel,
lodging, etc)

Students also leave with the following:
● Letter of Recommendation from Dr. Adrian Pinto, PhD Microbiology
○ You can review his work here
(https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=n5XIueMAAAAJ&hl=en!
● Option for Three College Credits in Ecology!
● 45 PE hours toward a semester credit, super helpful!

Contact us directly to learn more:
● Shannon Rizzo, [email protected] OR 512-900-0497

For quick reference:
The two areas of Field Research covered:
● We spend the first seven days in the rainforest, conducting field
research on leaf-cutter ants
● Then, the last two days on the coast doing marine biology research
at a sea turtle hatchery and participating in sea turtle nesting
patrols with local marine conservation
leaders.

This program is for high school aged students, in school or
homeschool. We offer a second year trip focused on bioinformatics, in
the Costa Rica cloud forest.
Contact: Shannon Rizzo at [email protected] or 512-900-0497

Costa Rica Summer field research experience for high school aged students

03/05/2025

Only 10 Spots Left! Experience Real Science in Costa Rica!

Imagine this: You’re deep in the Costa Rican rainforest, uncovering the secrets of leaf-cutter ants. A week later, you’re on the Pacific coast, studying sea turtles under the stars. This is the CTST Costa Rica Summer Research Trip! A once-in-a-lifetime experience where students don’t just learn science, they live it.

For 7 days, you’ll be immersed in the rainforest, conducting hands-on field research in one of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems.

Then, for 2 days, you’ll shift to the coastline, participating in sea turtle conservation efforts while enjoying Costa Rica’s breathtaking beaches.

It isn't just research, it's about adventure, growth, and connection.
✅ PLAY - Explore, relax, and soak in the beauty of Costa Rica.
✅ RESEARCH - Work alongside expert scientists on original field studies.
✅ PRESENT - Showcase your findings and gain real-world research experience.

⏳ Only 10 spots remain! Secure yours today before they’re gone.

Link in bio, to make it easier just comment down below, "PLAY" to get a DM with all the fun stuff in store for this Summer Trip!

03/03/2025

High School Students—This is Your Chance to Conduct Real Science in Costa Rica!

Join CTST in Costa Rica for an immersive summer research trip where you'll explore, discover, and gain hands-on experience alongside world-renowned scientists.

Who Can Go?
High school students, bonus points if you are passionate about any of the following: science, exploration, or adventure!

Why You Should Go:
✅ Perform your OWN original research in one of the most biodiverse places on Earth.
✅ Gain key distinctions for college applications.
✅ Be mentored by world-class scientists and researchers.

Students ALSO Leave With:
📩 A Letter of Recommendation for College from Dr. Adrian Pinto.
🎓 An option for 3 college credits in Ecology.
🏆 45 PE hours toward a semester credit.

Want to Learn More?
Spots are filling fast! DM us or Click the Link in Bio!

02/28/2025

Beyond the Lab: A Costa Rican Adventure Like No Other!

Science isn’t just data and lab coats but about exploration, discovery, and experiencing the world in a whole new way. 🐜🔬

On our Costa Rica Summer Research Trip, students dive deep into tropical field research, but that’s just the beginning…

🍳 Taste the culture with hands-on Costa Rican cooking.
🐎 Explore breathtaking rainforests on horseback.
🌲 Soar through the treetops on an exhilarating zipline adventure.
🌿 Unwind with friends, taking in the beauty of the rainforest.

Join us for an unforgettable journey blending science, adventure, and cultural immersion.

Comment down below what would be your favorite activity below!

A crowd favorite is exploring on horseback!

02/21/2025

From the Rainforest to the Lab: A Science Adventure Awaits!

Every summer, students step beyond the classroom and into the heart of Costa Rica’s tropical rainforest, where science comes to life. With expert guidance from renowned scientists like Dr. Adrian Pinto, they learn, research, and discover together—immersed in one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. 🐜

From hands-on fieldwork to analyzing groundbreaking data, this experience is a journey of scientific discovery, teamwork, and adventure.

Ready to be part of something bigger?

Join us in Costa Rica! 🌎🌱

Link in bio to learn more.