Knightly News

“We don’t want to just be tourists.” Sarah Pulliam, Science Department Chair

Fourteen science-loving Upper School students recently joined Science Department Chair Sarah Pulliam and Spanish teacher Sergio Ramos for an educational adventure to Costa Rica. As is the case with Episcopal travel opportunities, Pulliam says the trip was intentionally designed for learning. “We want to interact, understand the culture and be helpful,” she says.

Over the course of a week, students experienced an authentic side of Costa Rica. Pulliam says they had the opportunity to see how the locals live and prioritize the environment. As an added treat, students spent Thanksgiving Day with a family who prepared a traditional Costa Rican meal, featuring rice and beans, plantains, chicken, papayas, pineapples, and squash. The young travelers and local family gathered around one large table, united over a shared meal. 

Pulliam says such experiences are why she loves traveling internationally with students, as travel provides students with different perspectives and teaches them about being part of a global community. Junior Zoey Hodges says the experience helped her see the world as more connected and diverse. “I learned a lot about Costa Rica’s culture, biodiversity, and focus on sustainability,” she says. “Seeing rainforests, wildlife, and local communities helped me understand how important conservation and environmental responsibility are in everyday life.”

Students also enjoyed the adventurous side of the trip. The travelers visited a butterfly sanctuary dedicated to conservation. In addition to the butterflies, students saw poison dart frogs and blue jean frogs, creatures most have only seen in books back home. The trip also included visits to the cloud forest, ziplining, whitewater rafting and the beach. At a local organic coffee farm, the explorers learned how coffee farming impacts the environment. Pulliam was impressed that the local farmer provided students with an honest opinion on the positive and negative aspects of his industry.

The excitement of learning and teaching in such an ecologically diverse place is still with Pulliam several weeks after the trip. She says this year’s group of students loves science and was engaged, curious and mature. “They made the experience great for each other and us,” she recalls.

Episcopal faculty, like Pulliam and Ramos, recognize the tremendous learning that occurs when students experience the world beyond textbooks, and global travel is prioritized in the school’s five-year strategic plan. “Society is more globally connected than ever before, and this means our students must be ready to think and work globally,” says Dr. Sara Fenske, Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs. To accomplish this goal, faculty offer educational experiences that inspire students to become global citizens.

The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge 2025-2026 application is now available! ​For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the private school, contact us at [email protected] or 225-755-2685.