Belize class trip update
The Olney High School Biology Club traveled to Belize March 9 for a nine-day trip led by Will Stewart, OHS science teacher. The students got to experience a different culture while also learning about the local community and species native to Belize.
“The best experiences I gained during my time in the biology undergraduate and graduate programs at Midwestern State University were field experiences,” Mr. Stewart said. “Whether that was the rainforest ecology class we took in Panama or my trips to the Dalquest Desert Research Facility in the Big Bend Region of Texas, being in the field and getting the dirty, sweaty, hands-on experience was always the most impactful for me. When I started teaching six years ago, I realized that there were companies that facilitated field ecology trips for high school groups and knew that I had to at least try to get some kids on one of these courses.”
For four days, students hiked through the forest at Toucan Ridge Ecology and Education Society, also known as T.R.E.E.S, and learned about many plants and what their uses are in Belize. Students experienced catching bats at night and taking information to figure out the species. To help cool down, students hunted and caught micro invertebrates in a stream on T.R.E.E.S property. Students also participated in a study with the interns by tracking and locating turtles with radio wavelengths. Students then got their own research questions to utilize the skills into which they were immersed four days.
On Monday, March 13, the students traveled to Tobacco Caye to continue their learning experience on the second largest barrier reef. On the island, students snorkeled in the reef, learning about the various water species that live in water as well as the coral on the reef. Students also got to get up close and personal to one of the biggest threats the barrier reef faces, known as the Lion Fish. Students helped dissect a specimen and witnessed the catching of a Lion Fish in a Mangrove Snorkel by James, one of the Tobacco Caye researchers who has lived on the island for about five years. James was also the group’s leader in learning about Marine life on the island.
“My favorite part of the trip by far was being able to snorkel in the Patch Reef,” said Cate Rodriguez. “My friends and I were able to discover many of the different sea creatures that we have never seen before.”
The students left Tobacco Caye Thursday, March 16, to head back to T.R.E.E.S. Students then spent the afternoon playing Jeopardy to show everything they learned while on their trip. After, students presented their findings for their research question to the interns at T.R.E.E.S and fellow students. Later, before bed, students got to experience Belizean music and dancing as a celebration of the trip coming to an end.
The Olney High School Biology Club returned to America Friday, March 17, with a new understanding of Belizean culture. Students were also able to tell friends and family at home of everything they learned as well as share memories and photos taken on the trip.
This is the first year for the Olney High School Biology Club. Members consisted of Cate Rodriguez, Taaron Scrogum, Justin Simmons, Peyton Valdez, Richard Walp, AB Marquez, Gatlin Guy, and Cole Turner. There were also two sponsors who went with the group: Stewart and Gunter Rodriguez. The Biology Club hopes to continue to grow and give students once in a lifetime experiences.