Six students and two faculty members from Marvelwood School are in the middle of a 10 day trip to Panama. Local students participating in the trip include Maddie Paddock of Lakeville, Connecticut and Olivia Pignataro of Carmel, New York. The trip is a combination of scientific research, community outreach, and international exploration. Over the years, Marvelwood students have contributed to the discovery of 380 avian species at a nature reserve, making the area the 14th rated hotspot out of 100 known hotspots for avian diversity in the country of Panama. This year, the group is bringing a hydrophone, on loan from Cornell University, which they're excited to use for underwater recordings of fish and amphibians.  Students will be working with top researchers and experts in their fields including Abel Batista, who is one of the leading herpetologists in Panama and Central America.