Kaxil Kiuic: Preservation through Education and Research

EDUCATION

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.

info@kiuic.org