This summer, students from upper school embarked on an adventurous journey to Mexico. During the trip the students explored the beautiful wildlife and culture the country had to offer. The trip lasted for around 2 weeks and was split up into two main parts; the forest site research and the marine site research. 

During the forest site research students live on a campsite in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. During this time the students first got an introduction to the Ancient Maya and Mayan forest ecology. In the forest there are several Ancient Mayan sites that the students had the opportunity to visit. 

The 12th grade students said that “Visiting the sites and conducting research in the forest was a once in a lifetime experience that they would never forget!”

The students conducted research and practices which helped them gather data on the forests biodiversity and habitats. Some key activities that the students participated in included: 

• Mist nesting both birds and bats so that morphometric measurements could be captured that provided data regarding a species population and diversity
• Using net traps to survey frugivorous butterflies in order to collect data on forest structures
• Recording primitive sightings and mammal tracks to survey large mammal species
• Lectures on biodiversity, the forest’s ecology, the forest’s importance for primates. 

After the week camping in the Mayan forests students travelled to the marine site located in Akumal which is part of the Caribbean Biosphere Reserve. The students that were not already dive trained started off the second week by completing a PADI open water dive training course. After all students were ready to dive the team started conducting in-water practicals that explored the Caribbean reef ecology. Some projects that the students participated in during this week included: 

• Monitoring sea turtles abundance
• Monitoring sea turtle grazing
• Monitoring seagrass biomass

Thea, a 12th grade student, said that “My favourite part of the program was when we were at the marine site. It was a surreal experience to dive in the Mexican waters and I also learned so much about survey techniques and the country’s wildlife. The two weeks flew by so quickly!”