WorldologistsReviews of worldologists.com

My son and I absolutely loved our trip to Bocas Del Toro, Panama. Everyone was very friendly, it felt very safe and I would definitely return! Mary and Brian gave us the opportunity to do and see things most tourist probably don't get to do. We saw manatees, a sea turtle nursery and three different sloths! We also enjoyed snorkeling in a coral reef that is being restored, planting mangrove trees and hiking around their property. We really enjoyed meeting and spending time with other homeschool families from all over the US! The kids all got along so well and formed a lot of new friendships! My son is already talking about trying to schedule a reunion. We would definitely recommend this unique experience!

This opportunity and experience in Bocas del Toro was this homeschool family’s dream. I am confident that the bar could not be set any higher. Mary has constructed such a well thought out program-our kids are challenged, encouraged, respected and permitted to dream. Words cannot express our gratitude and appreciation.

My child and I were part of the Marine Zoology trip in Bocas del Toro with Mary and Brian, and had such a good time! The surroundings are beautiful, but more than that, the breadth of knowledge Mary has to share with the students in this hands-on setting is awesome, and something that won’t soon be forgotten. We are both so grateful to have had this opportunity!

What a wonderful trip! Mary’s Marine Biology class was so informative and interesting. Having a trip to look forward to helped motivate my son all year and the trip itself exceeded our expectations. The lessons and excursions were very well planned and as adjustments needed to be made Mary made the needed changes without causing any confusion or needing to interrupt the flow of the program. We all learned a lot and my son loved the program! Highly recommend!

Great way to end a fascinating year-long course! The trip provided hands-on context for what the students studied through the course, activities were meaningful and approachable, and the opportunity to connect and learn alongside other homeschoolers was so special. Mary and her husband were charming hosts who had a TON of patience wrangling our group of high energy kiddos. Highly recommend!

My family recently returned from Panama where my son (14.5) participated in Mary’s week long Marine Zoology / Oceanography workshop in Bocas Del Toro. It was an incredible, well organized, and well-thought out program that my son will never forget. Mary gives these kids a safe, educational, and positive environment to further learn and explore the topics that they study during her online classes, but in a hands-on and deeply meaningful way. The kids quickly bonded, and the families as well, and had a great week together. My son on day 2 said “what a great group of kids we have; I feel like I’ve known them all my life”. The experiences and “field trips” are second to none and included a jungle river boat excursion to San San Pond Sak Wetlands near the Costa Rica border where they saw wild manatees and visited a sea turtle conservation project; a tour of the Bocas Del Toro Smithsonian Field Station where they learned from scientists and the research going on there and participated in some hands-on learning; and a visit to the Caribbean Coral Restoration Center on Isla Solarte where they snorkeled and helped create new coral reef infrastructure. Mary also held classes at her incredible 13-acre, ocean front, Panamanian jungle property, Ojo Bio, where the students also had time to swim and snorkel her reef. They also were exposed to local and indigenous cultural learning activities. I can’t recommend Mary’s field program enough — it’s an opportunity not to be missed. She’s an excellent teacher and even more wonderful and passionate in person. I never felt for a moment that our kids weren’t safe and in great hands with her and her husband, Brian. We also spent a couple of nights in Panama City and took advantage of our time there and visited the Panama Canal, which we highly recommend as well. — The Alexis family

My son and I just returned from the week-long Marine Zoology trip in Bocas Del Toro. My family has now taken THREE amazing trips with Mary and Brian and I cannot recommend these experiences highly enough. They are amazing trips and the kids learn so much! It is obvious how much thought and care Mary puts into every lesson. She creates an environment that fosters exploration, curiosity, and collaboration. The kids are actively engaged from the minute the workshop beings until they collapse at the end of the week, happy and inspired. My family cherishes the time we have spent together with Mary and Brian in Panama and we have made some great friends all across the country as a result. I asked my kids to share their thoughts on both the trips and the classes. Here is what they said: "Do it!! It is great! There are so many cool spots, you might see manatees, you get to go snorkeling a lot, and most of the time you are really, really muddy. I wish I could do it 1,000 times!" - Charlie, age 12 (Marine Zoology Trip, 2025 & Vertebrate Zoology Trip, 2024) "Miss Mary’s class taught me so much about myself and the world around me. I absolutely hated all science classes till I took hers and I will forever be grateful for that experience. The trips were an amazing opportunity that encouraged me to look for a path in restoration and marine biology " - Maggie, age 15 (Vertebrate Zoology Trip 2024, Marine Zoology Trip, 2023)

What a FNATASTIC Progrom! Our family recently had the opportunity to participate in a one-week Marine Biology program in Panama alongside our homeschooled daughter, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. The program offered far more than just academic learning — it provided deep immersion into the local ecosystem, culture, and way of life. Throughout the week, the students gained hands-on experience exploring marine and terrestrial environments, learning directly about food cycles, animal behavior, conservation, and scientific research methods. What made this experience especially valuable was the balance between education and real-world exposure. The children were not simply listening to lectures; they were actively engaging with nature, observing wildlife, participating in research activities, and developing a genuine understanding of environmental interconnectedness. As parents accompanying our daughter, we also appreciated the opportunity to experience the local community, natural beauty, and culture of Panama firsthand. The program fostered curiosity, independence, teamwork, and respect for nature in a way that traditional classroom learning rarely can. We are incredibly grateful for this enriching experience and would highly recommend this program to homeschooling families and students who are passionate about marine biology, ecology, and experiential learning.