Every January, the College Park Scholars-Life Sciences program takes its annual trip to Belize, Central America. Sixteen students take the 11-day journey, which begins in Belize City and ends on Wee Wee Caye, a tiny island situated on the second largest barrier reef in the world. In that short span of time, they climb ancient Mayan temples, drink water from freshly cut bamboo stalks, swim under waterfalls in the rainforest, hold boa constrictors, and snorkel with sting rays. Needless to say, it is an adventure.

This trip is offered each January as a field biology course (2 credits). Students conduct an on-site research project; they follow up their field work with additional research and document their findings in a paper.

For more information on Belize or on other College Park Scholars-Life Sciences travel-study programs, contact: Lee Hellman (301-405-0528) or Marcia Shofner (mshofner.umd.edu).

Click on these images to see the entire picture
	Temple carvings in the ancient Mayan city of Xanantunich. The group visited five different Mayan cities, including Lamanei, Altun Ha and El Pilar.
	The Scholars enjoy the view at the top of a Lamanei temple (after a steep hike to the top!).
	Tasting fresh coconut milk in the rainforest.
	Netting fish in the Sittee River
	Students leaned to use mist nests to catch and identify birds.
	Fresh lobster for dinner!
	Conch could be found throughout the waters around Wee Wee Caye
	Starfish are everywhere.
	Sunset on the west dock of Wee Wee Caye