A Great experience for my students!

After a long day in the Calakmul Forest, studying birds, reptiles, butterflies, mammals and autotrophs - we were back in camp, finishing an amazing dinner made by three women that live in the nearby village. There were a few of my students at computers, inputting data - being mentored by our amazing staff. Another group was pulling out a Twister game pad and playing twister. Pretty soon, a crowd was gathered around the game, and my high school students were laughing, playing, wrestling with some of the smartest PhDs and researchers I have met. In that moment, I realized how lucky my high school students really were. They were gaining great field experience, but just as importantly, they were treated like equals, sharing in the research and sharing in the camaraderie that develops when a group of people treat each other with respect and work hard together toward a common goal. This was just as valuable a life lesson as the research and can only happen when everyone on staff shares this value of inclusiveness and respect.