January Science Blog – Gatton Academy At Cloudbridge

At the very beginning of each year, Cloudbridge Nature Reserve becomes a living classroom as we welcome students from the Gatton Academy, a collaboration that has become a tradition marking the start of our scientific calendar. This January, we had the privilege of welcoming two groups of future scientists from the Gatton Academy, each spending a full week immersed in the cloud forest. These high school students, all with a strong interest in pursuing science-based programs at University, arrived with curiosity, motivation, and a readiness to engage deeply with both research and conservation.

Rather than simply observing ongoing projects, the students developed and carried out their own research topics during their stay. Working in small teams and guided by Cloudbridge staff, they designed research questions, collected data in challenging field conditions, and learned first-hand what it means to conduct science outside of a traditional classroom. This year’s projects covered a wide range of ecological themes, including carbon sequestration in forest ecosystems, bird distribution along elevation gradients, microinvertebrate communities living in bromeliads, plant diversity within the reserve, and dung beetle diversity and their ecological role. Together, these topics reflect both the biological richness of the Talamanca Mountains and the complexity of studying ecosystems where many factors interact at once.

For many of the students, this was their first experience conducting field-based research in a tropical environment, and it quickly became clear that science in nature rarely goes exactly as planned. Weather conditions, difficult terrain, limited time, and unexpected results required flexibility, problem-solving, and resilience. Over the course of just one week, we observed students becoming more confident in making decisions, adapting their methods, collaborating effectively, and taking responsibility for their projects. These experiences help build independence and adaptability—skills that are essential not only for future scientists, but for anyone working in conservation or international research settings.

Beyond the scientific outcomes, spending time living and working at the reserve fosters a deeper personal connection with the environment. Early mornings listening to birds, long days on muddy trails, and close encounters with wildlife help transform abstract concepts like biodiversity, climate change, and conservation into lived experiences. The cloud forest becomes more than a study site; it becomes a place that students understand, value, and want to protect.

At the same time, visiting Cloudbridge offers meaningful exposure to a new culture. Interacting with local staff, learning about Costa Rica’s strong conservation ethic, and adapting to daily life in a different country broadens students’ perspectives and reinforces the global nature of environmental challenges and solutions. Hosting Gatton Academy students at the start of the year is a powerful reminder of why education and conservation must go hand in hand, and it reflects Cloudbridge’s long-term commitment to using the reserve as a learning space where meaningful educational experiences can take place. By providing young people with hands-on research opportunities in a protected natural area, Cloudbridge helps inspire the next generation of scientists, conservationists, and informed global citizens—planting seeds that may grow into lifelong commitments to science and environmental stewardship. Beyond this long-standing collaboration with the Gatton Academy, Cloudbridge is open to working with other schools, universities, and institutions interested in developing similar educational and research-based activities. Through these partnerships, we aim to continue fostering meaningful connections between young people, science, conservation, and the natural world throughout the year.