Education
at the reserve
Kaxil Kiuic is dedicated to preserving the environment and
the cultural heritage of the Maya by promoting knowledge
through educational programs centered at Helen
Moyers Biocultural Reserve. This living laboratory
is located in the Puuc hills
of the state of Yucatan, and focuses on research and sustainability.
The biocultural reserve was also created to serve as the
locus for a wide range of educational programs that utilize
the reserve and the surrounding larger region.
Helen
Moyers Biocultural Reserve
provides a unique context for carrying out educational programs
in a living laboratory or "real life" setting. It
represents a powerful pedagogical method for experiencing
the complexity of Maya life both past and present. The reserve
is well suited for topical educational programs as well as
those seeking an interdisciplinary approach to the study of
the region's history, culture, and ecology. Areas of study
such as tropical ecology, biology, geology, archaeology, cultural
anthropology, business, and the humanities are among the possibilities.
Kiuic is also perfect for the study of such specific topics
as the rise and fall of ancient Maya society, the efforts
of the Maya to adapt to a complex tropical setting, and efforts
to sustain the present environment and Maya identity.
The
living laboratory makes it possible to design courses that
include hands-on learning involving data collection, analysis
and interpretation. Because the educational experiences and
courses are part of a larger vision of sustaining the reserve,
service and citizenship are also conceived as important components
in most programs. Additionally, the reserve is open to institutions,
colleges and universities developing complementary research
programs to those already underway at the reserve. These programs
may be offered as courses if approved by Kaxil Kiuic, A.C.
and Kiuic's Research Associates (see
the research page). Although the reserve and Millsaps
College support a long-term program of archaeological
research in conjunction with Mexico's
National Institute of Anthropology and History
and Davidson
College, it does not have an archaeological field
school because the Mexican government does not permit these
types of programs yet.
The
reserve offers both short and long-term educational visits
as well as several of its own courses. Short visits can be
arranged by contacting the reserve
. Longer programs at the reserve are housed presently at the
nearby town of Oxkutzcab
or either the Hacienda
Tabi or Hacienda
Yunku.
3
Primary Levels
Kaxil
Kiuic's mission involves supporting national and international
education at three primary levels:
K-12
The reserve offers learning opportunities
to children of both Mexican and international communities
in the form of day visits, school field trips and classroom
teaching materials. Included at this level are similar day
programs offered by international high school groups. An environmental
and cultural overnight camp program is also being developed
to meet the needs of young people in Yucatan.
College
and University
The reserve can be either a platform
for courses for college students or it can serve as a component
of international study abroad programs. The reserve provides
a unique setting for both experiential and research-based
programs.
Recreational
Education
The reserve also provides opportunities
to combine your vacation with educational experiences, lecture
tours, and participation in state and private programs in
the Puuc. A favorite ecotourism experience for
professionals and amateurs alike is
the magnificent bird watching in the region!
Learning
by Doing
Construction is underway of an on-site Center
for Research and Education. When completed it will
permit classes and groups to stay either overnight or for long-term
visits in the heart of the reserve. The Center is designed as
an 'off the grid' facility. It is self-sustaining in regards
to energy, waste management and water. The Center provides a
learning environment where students will not only study issues
related to sustainability, but they will be expected to live
in an ecologically responsible way themselves. The Center maximizes
the experiential learning possible at the reserve and also allows
students and visitors to observe the research going on at the
reserve firsthand.
It
will be self-sustaining in regards to energy, waste management
and water. The Center will provide a learning environment where
students will not only study issues related to sustainability,
but they will be expected to live in an ecologically responsible
way themselves. The Center will maximize the experiential learning
possible at the reserve and also allow students and visitors
to observe the research going on at the reserve firsthand.
The
reserve offers three courses for college credit through Millsaps
College. A four-week long course called "Living in Yucatan",
a four-week long field course in tropical entomology (an introductory
course in entomology is a prerequisite) and a two week long
business course are offered. A number of local and international
study abroad programs currently utilize Kaxil Kiuic as an important
part of their learning experience.
Through
its education programs Kaxil Kiuic not only gives students studying
at the reserve the opportunity to learn experientially and undertake
research, but to establish meaningful relationships with local
communities and participate in the development of the model
for managing the cultural and environmental resources of the
reserve.
In
the larger arena, education at the Helen Moyers Biocultural
Reserve, with its focus on cultural and ecological sustainability,
is driven by the goal of improving the quality of life among
the regional Maya. The educational goals of projects at the
Reserve must contribute to the development of long-term productivity
and sustainability for nearby communities. Through education,
the Reserve can supply the local Maya with the opportunity to
learn from the past in order to provide for a better future.
