by Javier Sánchez Cáceres | Oct 7, 2021
On August 3, our twelfth grade students, accompanied by the principal Angie, teacher Javier and teacher Adriana, participated in an unforgettable experience full of adventure, challenges, laughter and above all, meaningful learning.
Crossing obstacles by holding on to ropes while maintaining balance, climbing a wall with concentration and canopy jumping at full speed were the main activities that the students were part of. One of the values that we can rescue the most during this experience was to see how support and teamwork stood out, achieving not only to bond the group, but also to enjoy extreme activities in a healthy way.
The group also had time to relax in the swimming pool, enjoy the beautiful scenery of the place, walk in a maze full of natural beauties, have delicious breakfast and lunch, and to finish, a cup of coffee accompanied by homemade sweet bread.
Thanks to this experience, our students were able to relax and enjoy in order to recharge their energy and determination for their last months of study in our institution.
“Look deeply into nature and then you will understand everything better.”
Albert Einstein
by Javier Sánchez Cáceres | Oct 7, 2021
El pasado viernes 3 de agosto nuestros estudiantes de doceavo año, acompañados por la directora Angie, el profesor Javier y la profesora Adriana; participaron de una experiencia inolvidable llena de aventura, retos, risas y sobre todo aprendizaje significativo.
Atravesar obstáculos sujetándose de cuerdas manteniendo balance, escalar una pared concentrados y lanzarse en canopy a toda velocidad fueron las principales actividades de las cuales los estudiantes fueron parte. De los valores que más podemos rescatar durante esta experiencia, fue ver cómo sobresalía el apoyo y el trabajo en equipo, logrando así no solo unir al grupo, sino disfrutar de una manera sana de actividades extremas.
Los participantes de esta excursión también pudieron tener un rato de esparcimiento en la piscina, disfrutar de la hermosa vista que nos ofrecía el lugar, caminar en un laberinto lleno de bellezas naturales, participar de un delicioso desayuno, almuerzo y para cerrar un cafecito acompañado de pan dulce casero.
Gracias a esta experiencia, nuestros estudiantes pudieron relajarse y disfrutar, para así recargar fuerzas y empeño para sus últimos meses de estudio en nuestra institución.
“Mira profundamente en la naturaleza y entonces comprenderás todo mejor” – Albert Einstein
by Javier Sánchez Cáceres | Mar 4, 2021
World Water Day
World Water Day is celebrated on March 22 to reflect on the importance of this natural resource that allows us to live. We are very fortunate to live in an area where there is water everywhere and we do not have to travel to get drinking water. In spite of this, there is a lack of awareness about the proper use of this natural resource. That is why the celebration of World Water Day is extremely important, as it allows us to remember how urgent it is to use water responsibly and to be grateful for its abundance.
Possibly the misuse of water results from ignorance, as few have any idea that more than 2 million people do not have access to safe water or have to ration their use on a daily basis due to the threat of drought. During the COVID-19 pandemic we have reinforced the importance of water as hand washing is essential to control the spread of the virus. This reinforces the need to make proper use of the resource so that it remains available now and in the future.
As part of the celebration World Water Celebration and with the interest of providing information about water management in Montezuma, we present to you an interview with Donatella Luxardo, president of the ASADA of Montezuma, who was kind enough to answer questions generated by the students about the ASADA and its operation. Below are the questions that were asked to Donatella:
What is the ASADA?
The Asociaciones Administradoras de Sistemas de Acueductos y Alcantarillados Sanitarios (ASADAS) is the administrative body of communal aqueducts and sewers. The ASADAS operate as non-profit organizations, have five members, a fiscal, which are volunteer members who are elected by the community in assembly. It is worth mentioning that the ASADAS are regulated by the Ministry of Aqueducts and Sewers (AyA), the national water resource administration entity.
How many ASADAS are there in Cóbano?
The aqueduct of Cobano, Santa Teresa and Mal Pais is administered directly by AyA. In the other towns there is an association that manages the aqueduct, for example ASADA Montezuma, ASADA El Molino de Delicias and ASADA San Isidro. Currently the ASADA of Montezuma and Delicias have agreements established with AyA.
How many users does the Montezuma ASADA have?
Currently the ASADA has 310 users.
How much is the average monthly consumption of the users?
The consumption per user depends on the area of usufruct. The central area of the town is where there is more consumption, mainly due to the number of hotels and restaurants located in the area. In residential areas consumption is normally less than 30 m3.
What are ASADA’s plans for the short and long term?
In the next few months we will be working on the connection of two new wells to supply certain densely populated neighborhoods. In the long term we intend to start building a sanitary sewer system from the Montezuma School to Las Palmeras Beach.
Stay tuned for the second part of this interview, which we will transmit through a conversation on Zoom, in which we will discuss the origin of our water, how to use water responsibly, and how to save water consumption, among other topics.
Thank you very much for reading us and remember that water runs out drop by drop.
by Javier Sánchez Cáceres | Jun 5, 2020
This coming June 8th we celebrate World Oceans Day. This day is a great opportunity to reflect upon the importance of these marvelous bodies of water and the effect our everyday activities have on ocean health. I would like to give you some information about the importance of our oceans.
There is a lot of talk about the importance of forests and its production of the oxygen we breath. But, in reality, more than 50% of the oxygen that we breath is thanks to millions of marine organisms, collectively called phytoplankton. Phytoplankton photosynthesizes, a process which produces organic substances (sugars) made of sunlight and carbon dioxide. One of the by-products of photosynthesis is oxygen. The oxygen produced is released into the ocean and into the atmosphere. For this reason we can be sure that the oceans are the real lungs of the planet.
Oceans have another important function, which is more important every day due to carbon dioxide emissions and climate change. It is estimated that the oceans absorb 25% of the carbon dioxide produced annually due to human activity. Therefore the oceans help to diminish the effect of this greenhouse gas on the climate of our planet.
Despite the capacity of the oceans to reduce the greenhouse effect, climate change is increasingly affecting different marine ecosystems. The 0.1 °C increase in the average temperature of the oceans over the last century may seem small, but considering the large size of the oceans it is impossible not to think that it is an alarming increase. This increase in the average temperature is evident if we analyze the signs that nature is giving us: bleaching of the coral reefs, increase in sea level, increase in the intensity of meteorological phenomena due to their capacity to absorb heat and the resulting effect on ocean currents and their influence on the different climates of the planet, among others.
As if all the above were not enough, overfishing is responsible for the decrease of approximately 10% of the planet’s fish population and not only threatens the planet’s well-being and balance and the global economy. In addition, every year the oceans receive 8 million tons of plastic, which contaminate the ocean waters and destroy the ecosystems and living beings that inhabit them.
Still, not all is lost. Every day more people decide to adopt more environmentally responsible lifestyles, participate in beach clean-up campaigns, reject single-use plastic and be agents of change through education. Next Monday, June 8th, visit our beaches within the established schedule and appreciate this wonderful natural resource while reflecting on the importance of conserving and protecting it. Remember to bring a bag to pick up trash and do your part to have cleaner and healthier oceans every day.
While it is true that every day we should be aware of the importance of the oceans, celebrating a day like this at a global level serves for us all to reflect on the sustainable management of the oceans and the importance of conserving them; they are home to thousands of species, many still unidentified, are a source of food and medicine and responsible for the dynamic balance of our planet.
by Javier Sánchez Cáceres | Jun 5, 2020
El próximo lunes 8 de junio celebramos el Día Mundial de los Océanos. Este día presenta una gran oportunidad para reflexionar sobre la importancia de estos maravillosos cuerpos de agua y el efecto que tienen nuestras actividades cotidianas en la salud de estos. Me gustaría brindarles un poco de información sobre la importancia de los océanos.
Se habla mucho de la importancia de los bosques en la producción de oxígeno. Pero en realidad, más del 50% del oxígeno que respiramos se lo debemos a millones de organismos marinos, colectivamente llamadas fitoplancton. El fitoplancton realiza fotosíntesis, proceso por el cual se producen sustancias orgánicas (azúcares) a partir de la luz solar y el dióxido de carbono. Uno de los productos del proceso de fotosíntesis es el oxígeno. Este oxígeno producido es liberado en el océano y en la atmósfera terrestre. Es por esta razón que podemos asegurar que los océanos son los verdaderos pulmones del planeta.
Los océanos tienen otra función bien importante, la cuál cada día se hace más relevante debido a las emisiones de dióxido de carbono y el cambio climático. Se estima que en los océanos se absorbe cada año 25% del dióxido de carbono producido por las actividades humanas. Por lo tanto los océanos ayudan a disminuir el efecto de este gas de invernadero en el clima de nuestro planeta.
A pesar de la capacidad de los océanos en disminuir el efecto de invernadero, el cambio climático afecta cada día más a diferentes ecosistemas marinos. El aumento de 0.1 °C en la temperatura promedio de los océanos durante el último siglo pudiera parecer poco, pero si tomamos en cuenta el gran tamaño de los océanos es imposible pensar que no es un aumento alarmante. Este aumento en la temperatura promedio es evidente si analizamos las señales que nos brinda la naturaleza: blanqueamiento de los arrecifes de coral, aumento en el nivel del mar, aumento en la intensidad de los fenómenos meteorológicos debido a su capacidad de absorber calor y el resultante efecto en las corrientes oceánicas y su influencia en los diferentes climas del planeta, entre otros.
Como si todo lo anterior fuera poco, la sobrepesca es responsable de la disminución de aproximadamente el 10% de la población de peces del planeta y no solo atenta contra el bienestar y equilibrio del planeta y la economía global. En adición los océanos cada año llegan al mar 8 millones de toneladas de plástico las cuales contaminan las aguas oceánicas destruyendo los ecosistemas y seres vivos que habitan en estos.
Aún así, no todo está perdido. Cada día más personas deciden adoptar estilos de vida más responsables con el medio ambiente. Participar de campañas de limpieza de playas, rechazar el plástico de un solo uso y ser agentes de cambio por medio de la educación. El próximo lunes 8 de junio visita nuestras playas dentro del horario establecido y aprecia este maravilloso recurso natural mientras reflexionas sobre la importancia de conservarlo y protegerlo. Recuerda llevar un saco para recoger basura y poner de tu esfuerzo para cada día tener océanos más limpios y saludables.
Si bien es cierto que todos los días debemos ser conscientes de la importancia de los océanos, celebrar un día como este a nivel mundial nos sirve a todos para reflexionar sobre la gestión sostenible de los océanos y la importancia de conservarlos, ya que son hogar de miles especies, muchas aún sin ser identificadas, son fuente de alimento, medicinas y responsables del equilibrio dinámico de nuestro planeta.
