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I partnered with EF Tours in 2023 to bring 10 of my students (and one parent) to Belize! While EF has many types of tours to offer, I chose the STEM tours in order to engage my students in the content I deliver all year in Biology, IB Biology and AP Environmental Science.
Next up - Costa Rica and Panama!
Belize is in Central America between Mexico and Guatemala.
Our itinerary brought us to many places.
Flying first into Belize City, then traveling to the Cayo Region, Punta Gorda, and the Southern Coast before returning to Belize City before our return to the States.
Our itinerary was filled with amazing environmental science and cultural experiences. To learn more about the trip and see some of what we experienced check out a detailed account of each day by clicking on each day's links!
Day 1 - Arrival in Belize City and travel to Cayo Region
Day 2 - Belmopan Region -
Zip Lining adventure and visit to TREES (Toucan Ridge Ecology and Education Service) for and ethnobotanical
walk along trails through the jungle while turtle trackingwatershed quality assessment activity (macroinvertebrate assessment),
a study of captive animal husbandry (bat mist netting).
Day 3 - Belmopan Region and Punta Gorda -
Visit a local NGO (non government organization) named Ya'axche (pronounced Yash - chay) where we:
Learned about their work in conservation and community development
Participated in a protected areas research and compliance trek
Learned how thatch roofs are constructed on homes.
Took a guided tour of the ancient Mayan archaeological site in the area
Day 4 - Punta Gorda -
Visited a sustainable farm (Chubs Farm!) where we:
Discovered how agricultural practices are taught to community farmers by Ya'Axche workers
Learned about climate-smart farming practices
Tasted fresh fruits and vegetables growing on the farm
I was invited into their home to meet Chub's wife.
The entire group posing by a tree Chub planted 35 years ago.
Chub's turkey followed us and told us he was boss.
Cacao pod nearly ripe.
Visited the Indian Creek Mayan Arts Women's Group where we:
Learned about Mayan culture in a local village
Made tortillas from scratch (and got to eat them!)
Learned how chocolate is made from bean to bar, including grinding the beans to chocolate (which we got
to taste!)
Learned about traditional basket weaving from palms and got to try our hand at it!
Learned some traditional Mayan dances
Preparing fresh tortillas
Grinding the maize to a paste for making tortillas
Preparing palm fronds for weaving
Learning Mayan dances with our Tour Director Herbie
Day 5 - Punta Gorda - Day 2
Took a boat ride to explore the Port Honduras Marine Reserve where we:
Visited the Abalone Caye Ranger Station
Participated in an underwater transect survey (snorkeling!)
Got an up close look at marine life and coral reef while snorkeling
Visited Punta Negra with TIDE for lunch and to see first hand how climate change, and coastal erosion are affecting the community.
Helped local scientists monitor the manatee population
Enjoyed Garifuna drumming lessons and a delicious locally sourced fish dinner cooked over a traditional fire hearth.
Day 6 - Punta Gorda, Southern Coast, Placencia
Visited the San Pedro Columbia Village where we supported biodiversity by helping with a reforestation
project to help stabilize riverbanks, decrease erosion and improve water quality.
Traveled to the Southern Coast
Day 7 - Southern Coast, Belize City
Took another boat ride for a day trip to Tobacco Caye Marine Station, where we:
Snorkeled along the largest barrier reef in the Northern Hemisphere
Participated in a nurdle hunt on the beach in an effort to clean up the beach from plastic pollution
Dissected a Lionfish, and learned about invasive species.
James, the station manager for Tobacco Caye Marine Station
We handled (safely) Lionfish
Learned how they hold onto their prey
Collected 74 nurdles in 20 mins (Our traveling CAPS found the most nurdles from our entire larger group!
Sko CAPS!)
Day 8 - Left for Raleigh from Belize City
Next up - Costa Rica and Panama!
Check out more on Instagram!
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