Belize Marine Biology Summer 2019

The TASIS Dorado Marine Biology Program successfully launched its first hands-on field research trip to Belize. Our learning experience started with visits to two ceremonial centers in the Mayan village of San Jose Succotz. Here, we learned about the Mayan heritage of the country and how Mayan chocolate is made from beans to your favorite candy bar. Later, we traveled to St. George’s Caye to discover the incredible undersea world of the Belize Barrier Reef System—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home of the second largest coral reef ecosystem in our planet. Our students participated in different activities that assisted with the long-term monitoring studies conducted at the research center. They learned how to use the caliper instrument to measure conch specimens, how to collect data for the conch survey, and how to differentiate between different coral reef diseases. Each day, they snorkeled with different sea species like sea turtles, manatees, stingrays, sharks, dolphins, and tropical fish. In the evenings, the field station staff-led discussions about sea turtle biology and conservation, and how marine protected areas work. It was an amazing marine experience that perhaps will remain in their memories for a long time. Stay tuned for more news about our next marine biology adventure!
- Ms. Tere Mendoza, Marine Biology and Science teacher

View our photo and videogallery at https://tasisdorado.smugmug.com/2019-2020/Belize-Marine-Biology-Summer-2019/