Location

Puntarenas Province, Garabito, Costa Rica

Program Description

Information Session 

October 14, 2024 from 5:15- 6:15PM at EnGeo 1024

Project-based course examining energy conservation, monitoring, and applications and providing team-oriented project experience. The project focuses on addressing energy and environmental challenges related to economic and social development. Students will engage with resort employees, managers, and owners to identify, implement, and recommend solutions for issues concerning energy, the environment, and resort operations. Each student will select a project to work on prior to arriving in Costa Rica and will complete it during the three-week course. Throughout the project, students will collaborate with advisors and mentors, including JMU professors and resort managers in Costa Rica.

This project-based program offers the opportunity to work on Global issues that is tailored to specific needs in Costa Rica. It includes projects in energy, environmental sustainability, and resort operations and needs. A few examples are, coral reef gardening and structures for underwater museum- the 1st in Central America, renewable energy applications, and collecting water out of the atmosphere.

Possible projects:

1. Solar exhaust hoods for wood cooking in underserved communities
2. Beach accessibility for the physically challenged
3. Solar-powered phone charging stations around the resort
4. Evaluate and improve the resort recycling system
5. Rainwater harvesting around the resort
6. Evaluating the performance of the newly installed wastewater treatment plant at the resort
7. Biodigester: Mini educational (can be small or large- eg employee kitchen)
8. Aquaponics and Hydroponics systems
9. Remote monitoring and control of Air-conditioning units and electricity-consuming devices
10. Energy savings: this can start with energy audit of the facilities and recommend possible actions. This can include educating and informing the resort community about the process (what we are doing, why, how, and what to expect)
11. Solar power for emergency backup (internet, communication and vital lighting)
12. Solar power for street lighting
13. Developing educational material for resort workers and guests
14. Other projects/ideas that you, and the resort, might be interested in
15.  

Location Description

The program will be at Punta Leona Hotel and Club Beach Resort. It is a coastal resort located in the Province of Puntarenas, Costa Rica. It is about an hour and 30 minutes drive from the capital San Jose. The resort’s accommodations for national and international guests include 108 standard rooms and 27 fully equipped apartments. Punta Leona Hotel and Club Beach Resort employs approximately 335 people and its management is committed to being a leader in ecotourism. One of its beach - Playa Blanca - has been awarded the “Cleanest Beach in Costa Rica”.

Director

Karim Altaii | altaiikx@jmu.edu | ISAT, Engineering

Accommodations

Accommodations will be provided for students through hotel rooms at the resort and with internet access and laundry services.

All meals are covered in the program fee.

Additional Items to Consider

Basic Spanish is highly recommended.

Visa will be issued at the airport for US citizens.

Applicant Criteria

Applicants must have a GPA minimum of 2.5

Open to sophomores, juniors.

Some Spanish will be helpful.