More than 3,000 of Bermuda's schoolchildren will journey through the rainforests of Panama this week without ever leaving the Island.

And Bermudian teacher Virginia DeSilva is one of only eight teachers invited to attend the Jason Project in Panama this year.

The 'Jason Project XV: Rainforests at the Crossroads' expedition will explore the Isthmus of the Panama region, studying everything from leaf-cutter ants to howler monkeys to global climate change.

Students in Bermuda can join the international team of scientists, students and teachers via live interactive broadcasts at the Bermuda Biological Station for Research (BBSR), Bermuda's Primary Interactive Network (PIN) site for the project.

Bermuda's teachers also have access to the Jason curriculum, allowing them to tie the project in with regular lessons throughout the school year.

"Students at BBSR, Bermuda's PIN site, will travel on a virtual journey to do hands-on fieldwork with leading scientists in the unique 'laboratory' of Panama's rainforests," said J.P. Skinner, Jason coordinator for BBSR.

"During the expedition, they will have a chance to interact with Bermuda High School teacher Virginia DeSilva, who was selected to be a Teacher Argonaut on the Panama team."

"I'm honoured that Jason chose me for this great opportunity," said Ms DeSilva. "I'll be able to share this experience with my students and show them how fun and exciting science can be."

Ms DeSilva is the first Bermudian Teacher Argonaut to take part in the annual Jason expedition since 1996. She will travel to Panama this week to join the other teachers, scientists and students for the second week of broadcasts.

Ms. DeSilva will also share her discoveries, answer questions and guide local students and teachers in online activities via daily journals, live web casts and chats, digital labs, and 3-D photos on the Jason website.

Jason XV will broadcast live at BBSR from today through February 6. Public broadcasts will take place on January 31 at 11 a.m. and February 6 at 5 p.m. All other broadcasts are reserved for local school groups.

Closed-captioned broadcasts are available upon request. More information about the Jason Project can be found on BBSR's website at www.bbsr.edu, or by calling Mr. Skinner at 297-1880.

Local teachers and students have been taking part in the Jason Project since the BBSR became the Project's first international PIN site in 1993.