The power of teaming up: three stories of directed research in mycology

Abstract

Between 2009 and 2011, we came to Costa Rica as part of an educational program established in the country intended to give American students an opportunity to learn about sustainability in the tropics. We were given the task to coordinate three teams of students and carry out, in only one week each time, a quick field project focused on documenting ecological aspects of fungi that could be used for conservation purposes later on. Herein, we provide more details about these experiences and ellaborate on the consequences of what we did. Our effort may have even had greater impact on us,than the impact we had on the students that we worked with.