Students who participated in the 2025 Forman Rainforest Project shared their scientific research on Costa Rica’s world-renowned wildlife during the school’s annual Dissertation Day on May 2nd. This year also celebrates the 30th anniversary of the program. 

Three student research teams presented their work:

• Reptiles and Amphibians Team: Olivia De Sanctis ’26, Julian Graziano ’25, Alice Lever ’25, and Jessica Sit ’26

• Birds Team: Qeiva Grant ’25, Carrington Hawes ’25, and Lila Lovejoy ’26

• Wild Cats Team: Gabe Hadad-Larrieu ’25, Artemas Kasdin ’25, and Simon Strazza ’25

The Rainforest Project began in 1992 as an exploration of the tropics. Over the past three decades, Forman students have contributed meaningful scientific data to universities and museums, particularly regarding endangered species. The science of this program goes beyond the realms of a standard high school classroom, encompassing a depth of knowledge and skills usually found only at the college level. The trip is part of a year-long tropical ecology class and takes place during Forman’s Winterim program.

Wendy Welshans P’24, Science Teacher and Director of Outdoor Leadership and the Rainforest Project, launched the program during her first year at Forman and continues to lead the annual expedition to Costa Rica.

2025 Highlights:

• Re-discovery of the dark-footed tree frog, first discovered by our team in 1970 and re-identified in 2020.

• Recapturing of numerous previously banded birds, which provided valuable data on their lifespan and survival.

• Tracking five of the six wildcat species in Costa Rica.

• Collaboration with researcher Dr. Alex Shepack, who was a member of the Rainforest Project in high school, and master bird bander Mattie Vandenboom.

• Submission of data to the University of Florida and Cornell University.

History Teacher Carter Brochu served as this year’s Project Assistant, and Chair of the Thinking and Writing Department Lily Chen was the Team Manager. 

Note: The Rainforest Project did not run during the COVID-19 pandemic.