Worldologists Reviews 9

Life-changing experience
My son and I had an amazing experience with the Vertebrate Zoology workshop at Gamboa Rainforest Preserve in May 2025. My son has been taking science classes with Ms. Mary for the last five years (Marine Biology, Earth Sciences, Physical Sciences, Oceanography, and Vertebrate Zoology), and he finally had a chance to work with his favorite teacher IN PERSON! Every single day with Ms. Mary (and Brain) was worth a year of adventure and learning. (My son’s quote!) She arranged a night herpetology hike (our kids will never forget it!), a visit to the Smithsonian Bat Lab where we got to chat with the young woman who has been working on her second PhD (in Vampire Bats!!!), a day of birding with a native guide, who could spot the exotic birds (and some nests) and could communicate with them, he helped us take some incredible photos through his scope. We met some top researchers, biologists and guides in the country, who helped us sharpen our observation skills. We were out exploring in the Gamboa rainforest day and night and we always felt safe. We also traveled to the Caribbean side, where we got to snorkel among the mangroves and coral reefs and enjoy the best fruit in the world, visited the Native village and got to practice our Spanish. Mary and Brian took care of everything: transportation, museum visits, guides, figuring out every detail beautifully, and we knew they would make things work in any kind of weather. We were very well prepared and we got lucky. (Panama in May was a lot more pleasant than DC in August!) It will impossible to describe our trip in just one review. So, why is it a life-changing experience? Well, my 13 year-old son came back from this trip a different person: more confident, more experienced/knowledgeable, more adventurous and most importantly, more connected! His connection with the whole group of some awesome kids made it perfect for him! We all had kids there who loved science and loved learning and Ms. Mary brought it to the next level once again! Say YES! Do it! And I hope to see you in Panama next spring!

My daughter and I attended the vertebrate zoology workshop in Panama’s Gamboa Rainforest Preserve in May 2025. My family also attended the marine biology and oceanography workshop in Bocas Del Toro in April 2022, both as an optional part of my children’s Next Level Homeschool courses, and both experiences were absolutely incredible. As a homeschool family, I love making every trip an opportunity to learn about local culture as well as history and science. These workshops were the most enriching and educational trips we’ve had the opportunity to take. Not only were we able to learn from a fantastic teacher who’s so very passionate about what she teaches, but she also curated opportunities for us to learn from experts in their field, as well as share in experiences with the local indigenous peoples. Some highlights from both trips; a night herpetology hike with one of the top herpetologist researchers in Panama, an entire morning of birding with a guide with decades of experience that could literally talk to the birds (they would call back to him!) who was able to find some very rare and hard to spot species, a tour of an indigenous village led by their medicine man, who showed us the large variety of plants and trees in the community and some of their uses, a visit to a coral reef restoration facility that inspired my daughter’s future career dreams, and so much more. Not to mention making fabulous new homeschooling friends! But perhaps my favorite thing about both experiences was how focused they were on both conservation and supporting the indigenous peoples. We loved every moment and I can’t wait to share in another experience with the Worldologists!

My family had an incredible experience at the Marine Science Workshop in Bocas del Toro, Panama in 2025. The access to places, people and organizations was unlike anything we could ever have accessed on our own, and we all learned so much while having a blast. Highlights were releasing baby sea turtles into the sea (!!!), a food forest tour where we sampled so many new fruits, and learning about/participating in coral reef restoration. What an unforgettable life changing experience! Thank you Mary and Brian!

My son and I visited Panama with Mary as part of the Vertebrate Zoology course. We had an amazing, once in a lifetime experience. Mary put together thoughtful experiences with world class, expert, local tour guides that treated the kids with respect—never talked down to them, but met them exactly at their enthusiasm level. Highlights included the herpetology hike and Smithsonian Institution. Our days were busy but not overwhelming, and we felt welcome, safe and well taken care of. The hotel was a dream. Truly a magical experience.

My son and I attended Mary's Panama workshop in April after he completed the year long Marine Biology course with Next Level Homeschool. Signing up for the trip sounded felt like a leap of faith but, I am so glad I went for it - truly unforgettable experience and one that I would highly recommend!
Seeing all the kids (ages 10-17) come together was awesome! My son is normally slow to warm up to new people but, he was immediately engaged with this group.
The trip was action packed with carefully planned learning adventures and enough downtime in the evenings. We felt supported throughout the entire process - from initial planning to booking to last minute preparations and things to do before and after the workshop.
More trips please Mary!!

Our hybrid-homeschool organization, Cupola Academy, brought 12 students to the marine science workshop in Bocas del Toro, Panama, following the full-year class. We were absolutely blown away by Mary and Brian's itinerary. The entire week was phenomenal, with a perfect blend of focused learning, hands-on exploration, downtime, and community-building. Despite the first few days of weather being pretty rainy, that did not dampen the spirits of our group. Mary and Brian worked tirelessly to adjust the schedule so that our students could still experience every opportunity that had been outlined. From snorkeling to visiting the Smithsonian, harvesting cacao beans to building artificial reefs, Mary and Brian had activities and experiences that appealed to ALL learners. Mary's unparalleled passion for marine sciences made her the perfect guide, as her joy for learning was infectious. Traveling with 12 students internationally could have been daunting, but Mary had arranged all of the accommodations, had clearly outlined transportation options, and was always just a WhatsApp message away if any last minute questions popped up. It's next to impossible to find rigorous, purposeful, hands-on SECULAR science options, and this year-long course, topped off by an incredible week in Panama, was all we could have asked for, and more! If you're on the fence as to whether or not to book the trip, JUST DO IT! 5 stars!

My 17 year old son attended the marine science workshop in Bocas del Toro, Panama, following the full-year class with Mary Middlebrook

This trip was the culmination of my son's lifelong homeschool journey and we could not have asked for a better ending.

Next Level Homeschool (Mary and Brian) are true professionals. It was nothing short of miraculous how they were able to coordinate a group of homeschoolers (and families) in a seamless and seemingly SIMPLE way to get us ALL to Panama City, then to Bocas Del Toro to have the AMAZING week that we had. We are appreciative of the tips and tricks, the things we might have forgotten, and for sure the things we didn't know.

The week was indescribable. Even with the rain (which just became a way of life) we took a riverboat to see Manatees, we released baby sea turtles, we explored native foods, plants, and animals on Mary and Brian's heavenly property, and the kids planted mangroves, explored and restored the coral reef, and learned more about marine zoology and marine science than could ever be achieved in a classroom alone.

I can't thank Next Level enough for this experience for my son and I.

My daughter completed the year long Marine Zoology course which she really enjoyed followed by a trip to Panama that will remain an experience that we will always treasure. We were able to meet and connect with other homeschool families from all around the US. Gaining the hands on experience in Panama really allowed her to delve into her passion for animals and marine life. It also allowed her and I some really special quality time together and to explore the Panamanian culture together. I can't recommend these courses/trips enough that Mary runs! My only problem is that now I need to find some way to top that experience and it's going to be very difficult!

We recently attended the Marine Science Workshop in Bocas del Toro, Panama for 2025. It was a trip to be remembered for a lifetime. We left with new like-minded friends, which was perhaps the best part of it. The adventures and workshops were incredible. My son has some special needs, and Mary was awesome at making sure he was accommodated and could participate in every activity. She is clearly so invested in her students and their success, and she made sure we had a fantastic, memorable time. We hope to travel with them again in the future.