Bernal, who just finished eighth grade at Sacred Heart School in Saratoga, has grown up exploring nature on a creek that runs near her family's house in Monte Sereno. She has even photographed the metamorphosis of her six chickens hatching from eggs for a science project. But Bernal's passion for science goes even further.

Her science classes at Sacred Heart embedded curriculum associated with a program called "The JASON Project" into class work, and she was immediately intrigued—enough to apply to be part of the project. Bernal learned this July that she has been chosen as one of the lucky few to participate in the 15th JASON Project expedition, titled "Rainforests at the Crossroads." Her intense application included doctor's information, grades, parental permission, essays, teacher recommendations, video and telephone interviews.

"You couldn't be afraid of heights, and you had to be able to speak Spanish," Bernal said.

The program and related foundation are named after Jason, the explorer hero of Greek legends who led his Argonauts on the quest for the golden fleece in order to save his kingdom. The JASON Project began as the dream of oceanographer and National Geographic explorer Dr. Robert Ballard, who discovered the wreck of the Titanic.

Ballard received thousands of letters from schoolchildren wanting to go on his next expedition, so in 1989 he started The JASON Project as a way for students to discover and explore along with him and other scientists. The program has since become a major international education effort, Bernal said.

Every year student "Argonauts," teachers and scientists are sent to different locations, such as volcanoes in Hawaii or glaciers in Alaska, to conduct research and experiments. With the financial support of NASA, the research is broadcast via satellite to schools and research centers around the world, including the NASA Ames Research Center at Moffett Field in Sunnyvale.

"The program really reaffirms to the kids that what they are doing in school is important and that learning can be fun," said JASON coordinator Will Shaw.

Shaw said the participants will gain experience being live on television from Panama for about 40 broadcasts, also called "live classrooms." Shaw said Bernal will also have the opportunity to interview scientists as they conduct research.

From Jan. 28 to Feb. 7, 2004, Bernal and about 25 other students, as well as teachers, will study Panama's rainforests and the Panama Canal alongside professional scientists and maybe even Ballard himself. Most of their research will take place at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, a protective preserve on Barro Colorado Island, in the Panama Canal.

But before she goes, Bernal still has some science experiments to finish. She has been given assignments, in addition to her normal class work at school, that she must complete for The JASON Project, both before and after she goes to Panama. She'll be working as an ambassador for the program through the end of May.

"It's like taking another class on top of school," Bernal said, adding that she is also involved in cross country and soccer, and teaches Sunday school at her church.

Bernal has the support of her eighth-grade science teacher, Mary Lee Mueller, at Sacred Heart School.

"She persevered," Mueller said. "This was a dream she had, and she followed."

Sacred Heart Principal Jane Daigle said Bernal isn't a straight-A student; rather, she's worked hard in school and science especially, now serving as a role model for her classmates.

"This is really a success story for her," Daigle said. "She is just beginning. She is going to blossom so much in high school."

Bernal's mother, Catherine Bloyd, couldn't be more pleased with her daughter.

"I'm really proud because I think it was something she was really motivated and inspired to do—and she followed through," said Bloyd. "She did it all on her own."

Bloyd said everything her daughter has learned in school is culminating together. She has been amazed at her daughter's organization, motivation and enthusiasm.

"At her age, I never would have had the interest, motivation or courage to do something like this," Bloyd said.

For more information, visit www.jason.org.