From Skyline High to Shark Tagging in Belize: A Spring Break They’ll Never Forget

Growth Beneath the Surface

When eight students from Skyline High School signed up for the �Ӱ��̳ expedition, "Shark Conservation in Belize" over spring break, they expected an adventure. What they didn’t expect was how deeply it would change them.

From the moment they stepped off the boat into the turquoise waters of Belize, they were no longer just students—they were conservationists, researchers, and team members on the front lines of marine protection.

We caught sharks. We tagged them. We laughed—a lot.

—Skyline High School Student

A group of people on a boat work together to measure a small Black Nose shark

A group of researchers on a small red and white boat carefully handling a shark at the water's surface during a marine field study.

Two people on a boat carefully tagging a small shark while collecting data as part of a marine research activity.

Under the guidance of �Ӱ��̳ researchers Dr. Jessica Quinlan and Isela Martinez, and with the project—a collaborative conservation effort uniting scientists, local fishers, and policymakers to protect vulnerable shark populations—the Skyline group joined a vital scientific effort: monitoring and protecting shark populations along the Belizean coast.

But their week wasn’t only about tagging hammerheads or recording measurements. It was about bonding through boat rides, braving bugs, adapting to the ocean’s rhythms, and growing into themselves.

Each student went to Belize with different levels of understanding and ability, watching their confidence blossom over the week was my favorite part of the experience.

—Gretel von Bargen, Skyline High School teacher and trip leader

Four teen girls work on preparing bait (fish) for their shark based fieldwork

The team works with the lead scientist Dr. Quinlan to review data collected during the expedition.

Fieldwork Is Messy—and That’s What Makes It Real

Before Belize, most students thought science meant lab coats and microscopes. But �Ӱ��̳ taught them something different: that real-world conservation is hands-on, sometimes chaotic, and always collaborative.

They learned how to handle live sharks and bait lines and collect data under pressure. They also learned that some of the most powerful moments don't involve a single data point.

I thought fieldwork was about fancy equipment and labs. Instead, I found myself on a boat, soaked, seasick—but learning more than I ever imagined.

—Skyline High School Student

Five teen girls in the water wearing snorkel masks.

Three teen girls wearing life preservers sitting a boat with the man behind them giving thumbs up.

Comfort Zones Don’t Last Long on the Water

From social anxiety to stormy seas, each student had to face and overcome a personal challenge.

Some pushed themselves to hook bait or jump into choppy waters for a snorkel survey. Others found courage in simply making new connections or speaking up during a research debrief. But no matter the obstacle, everyone walked away stronger.

I was hesitant to tag a shark, but Jess explained it so well—it made me realize I could do it. And I did.

—Skyline High School Student

A group of teen girls sitting around a table enjoying a meal on a deck overlooking the ocean.

It Takes a Village (and a Whole Lot of Gratitude)

Beyond the research, students experienced the heart of the Belizean community. They ate homemade meals prepared with love by Des. They shared jokes with their boat captains. They saw conservation not as a concept but as a shared effort between scientists, fishers, and families.

It was so inspiring to see how the locals, the scientists, and the government are working together to protect these species. It made me think differently about what conservation really means.

—Skyline High School Student

A group shot of the group of teen girls and their teacher, with a bonfire in the background.

A Shark Story with a Deeper Impact

The trip ended with a reflection circle. Students wrote thank-you notes and shared their favorite memories—measuring their first shark, touching the “magic sparkle water,” or watching the sunrise during a quiet swim.

For these Skyline students, spring break wasn’t just a vacation. It was a defining experience that reinforced how science can be powerful, how learning can be alive, and how even high schoolers can make a real difference.

Learn more about �Ӱ��̳ Group Expeditions.

This was the trip of a lifetime, and not just because of the sharks. It was because of the growth, the connection, and the shared purpose we found together.

—Gretel von Bargen, Skyline High School teacher and trip leader

Ready to Dive In?

Skyline’s story is just one of many. �Ӱ��̳ Group Expeditions empowers teachers to bring learning to life and students to discover their potential.

So, whether you’re a student dreaming of ocean adventures or a teacher looking to inspire, Belize is proof: one expedition can change everything.

PLEASE COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW SO THAT WE CAN BETTER UNDERSTAND YOUR DESIRED EXPERIENCE.

An �Ӱ��̳ staff member will contact you to begin the next steps. Please review the Group Terms & Conditions before completing the form to ensure our structure meets your group’s needs.

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