Ten students from Belleville High School and two chaperones recently traveled to Puerto Rico for a two-week trip that focused on the various ecosystems around the island.  While there, they also learned about the culture and history of the island. 

Highlights of the trip included watching 49 sea turtles hatch and make their way to the ocean, amazing views and beaches, the rainforest, ziplining, a visit to a manatee rehabilitation center, mangroves and bioluminescent bay, a flight in a seven passenger plane, scuba diving and snorkeling, and mostly trying new things while learning so much.

In the end, the students were able to learn about and see countless ecosystems on this small island. They visited a rainforest, caves, salt flats, mangroves, a desert, and numerous marine reefs. The students learned how some of these ecosystems are in danger of disappearing, mostly due to human influences. Visit http://smithersscience.weebly.com/puerto-rico-2017.html for more photos from the trip.