At Punta Sur, students explored a unique and fragile ecosystem. They observed native wildlife such as crocodiles and flamingos and learned about the crucial role mangrove forests play in protecting coastlines, supporting biodiversity, and sustaining marine life. The mangroves are essential to the balance of this ecosystem, acting as natural barriers, nurseries for marine species, and protectors of life under water.
Learning quickly moved from theory to practice.
Participants engaged in hands-on activities by wading into the swamp, building small sand islands, and planting mangrove seeds as part of an ongoing mangrove reforestation project. Through this direct involvement, students experienced what sustainable action truly means: taking responsibility and contributing to real solutions.
This activity strongly reflected both the mission of the Sustainable Development Games and the core principles of Montessori education, where learning is rooted in experience and meaningful work.
“Education should therefore include the two forms of work, manual and intellectual, for the same person, and thus make it understood by practical experience that these two kinds complete each other and are equally essential to a civilized existence.”
Maria Montessori
In 2024, we returned to Punta Sur to revisit the site and see how the mangrove seeds planted in 2023 had grown. The young mangroves now taking root are a visible reminder that education, when connected to action, can have lasting impact.
Our hope is that, alongside these growing mangroves, seeds were also planted in our participants — seeds for sustainability, responsibility, and peace.
PEACE
Global Association of Montessori Education and Sport
