What is Outreach?

MAST Academy Outreach

Miami-Dade County Public Schools, through MAST Academy Outreach, is proud to provide teachers and students community-supported educational programs for grades 5 through 8. Targeted students should be highly motivated and thus potential future candidates for enrollment in MAST Academy.

MAST Academy Outreach offers mobile laboratory school-site presentations, field trips and other resources. These field trips and presentations immerse students in unique learning experiences where they explore the wonders of nature in South Florida ecosystems, or are transported into the world of marine and maritime careers. Students discover unending career opportunities in the marine and environmental sciences and in South Florida's multibillion dollar maritime economy. MAST Outreach field trip and presentation objectives conform to the Florida Standards Benchmarks.

Requesting and Scheduling Services

MDCPS schools may request mobile laboratory school-site presentations by responding to the district briefing.

Schools may request nature walk field trips by calling (305) 365-6278, extension 2133 or e-mailing the Outreach Coordinator.

Requests are scheduled by availability of our services and are not confirmations.

Confirmation is contingent upon your principal’s written approval to participate in all services requested: a Participation Request Form will be e-mailed to you for this purpose. Once confirmed, a confirmation will be e-mailed to you along with pre-site and on-site packets for that service.

General Guidelines

Transportation for all off-campus field trips must be arranged and financed by the school.

We are currently in the process of trying to provide schools with transportation.

Chaperones are required at a 1:15 chaperone to student ratio for bird nature walk field trip. Field Trips are designed for a class of 30. The MAST Outreach Office will cancel any trip not adequately chaperoned as per School Board policy and Risk Management criteria.

Classroom teachers are responsible for student behavior and are to remain with their students at all times during field trips and school-site presentations.

Available Field Trips and Presentations

Dates for all field trips and school-site presentations are available from September to April.

We are currently in the process of re-designing our mobile laboratories.
School-site presentations Land SHARC and Weather on Wheels are not available this school year.

Field Trips	Virginia Key Beach Park Nature Walk	Select dates September - April	up to 30 students
	Bill Baggs State Park Nature Walk	Select dates Mon/Thu/Fri September - April	up to 30 students


School Site Presentations	Land SHARC	Select dates For Middle School: September - December For 5th grade: January - May	up to 25 students per session
	Weather On Wheels	Select dates For Middle School: September - December For 5th grade: January - May	up to 25 students per session

Virginia Key Beach Park Nature Walk Field Trip

FOCUS: Students will explore the ecology of the historical Virginia Key Beach Park.

PROGRAM: Students will encounter mangroves, invasive species, and observe basic bird groups while learning about the historical significance of Virginia Key Beach Park. Basic binocular instruction is followed by a walk to the mangroves, where students will learn and observe red, white, and black mangroves. Students will then explore the Timeline Garden trail to observe different species for a scavenger hunt.

The components of the program include:

pre-site activities to prepare students for the field trip
on-site hand-out

DATES AVAILABLE: Select dates, September - April

COST: $60 flat fee with our MAST Outreach program. Transportation costs are the responsibility of the school. We are currently in the process of trying to provide schools with transportation.

TEACHER MATERIALS: Teachers may complete the pre-site packet with their students to prepare for the visit.

STUDENT SUPPLIES: All materials (binoculars, field guides, on-site handout, and pencil) will be provided by the Outreach teacher. Students must not carry any personal items except for a lunch which will be dropped off in the Picnic Area. Students must be respectful of the park and equipment, not disturb the habitat, or leave anything behind. Students must have appropriate attire for the nature walk including insect and sun protection.

LUNCH: We will have lunch at the Virginia Key Beach Park Picnic Area. Lunches will be dropped off in the Picnic Area before the Nature Walk. We recommend that the school pack a lunch for all attending the trip.

ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE: Schools should meet the Outreach teacher at Virginia Key Beach Park promptly at 10:45 AM. Lunch will be at 12:00. Departure is at 12:30.

Bill Baggs State Park Nature Walk Field Trip

FOCUS: Students will explore the ecology and history of Bill Baggs State Park.

PROGRAM: Students will learn about mangroves, invasive species, common bird groups, and about the historical lighthouse. Basic binocular instruction is followed by a walk to the mangrove area. We will then be driven towards the Lighthouse Historic Site. The site includes a walk to observe different species living in this habitat and learning about invasive species. The site also includes a tour of the lower level museum of the lighthouse and exploring the history of the area.

The components of the program include:

pre-site activities to prepare students for the field trip
on-site handout

DATES AVAILABLE: Select dates, September - April

COST: Transportation costs are the responsibility of the school. We are currently in the process of trying to provide schools with transportation.

TEACHER MATERIALS: Teachers may complete the pre-site packet with their students to prepare for the visit.

STUDENT SUPPLIES: All materials (binoculars, field guides, on-site handout, and pencil) will be provided by the Outreach teacher. Students must not carry any personal items except for a lunch which will remain on the bus until lunch time. Students must be respectful of the park and equipment, not disturb the habitat or museum, or leave anything behind. Students must have appropriate attire for the nature walk including insect and sun protection.

LUNCH: We will have lunch at available picnic tables. We recommend schools pack a lunch for all attending the trip.

ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE: Schools should meet the Outreach teacher at the entrance of the park at 10:45 AM. Lunch will be at 12:00. Departure is at 12:30.

Weather On Wheels (WOW) On-Site Presentation

FOCUS: Students will be able to increase their awareness and knowledge of South Florida weather, and the basics of weather forecasting and some weather phenomena , and become skilled in the use of meteorological equipment, through lessons on Weather on Wheels, a mobile weather laboratory.

PROGRAM: The components of the Weather on Wheels school-site visit include:

pre-site activities to prepare students for visit
on-site handout

The mobile laboratory includes three weather instrument stations and two interactive informational stations. On-site activities last 120 minutes and can accommodate up to 25 students. Only two session may be scheduled per day. Last presentation session must be over by 1:30 PM.

The classroom teacher is responsible for student behavior, and must remain with students at all times.

AVAILABLE DATES: Any day except select Wednesdays.

COST: No charge for this presentation.

TEACHER MATERIALS: Download copies of the pre-site and on-site packets from the confirmation e-mail. Teachers may complete the pre-site packet with their students to prepare for the visit.

STUDENT SUPPLIES: Each student must have a copy of the on-site packet and a pencil. The Outreach teacher will provide clipboards.

TEACHER RESPONSIBILITIES: The classroom teacher must prepare for the arrival of Weather on Wheels by:

Arranging for adequate parking space for the mobile laboratory in a parking lot or open field.
Obtaining permission for students to be excused from other classes.
Arranging for coverage of your other classes, if necessary.
Providing a copy of the on-site packet for each student.

LAND SHARC (Science Hands-on And Related Careers) On-Site Presentation

FOCUS: Students will investigate marine organisms and habitats, maritime careers, and environmental issues through lessons aboard the Land SHARC, a mobile marine science laboratory.

PROGRAM: The components of the Land SHARC school-site visit includes:

pre-site activities to prepare students for visit
school-site lessons aboard the mobile laboratory, where students work cooperatively, integrating maritime/technology themes rotating at six stations

The mobile laboratory includes two Computer stations and four Wet Lab stations. On-site activities last 120 minutes and can accommodate up to 25 students. Only two session may be scheduled per day. Last presentation session must be over by 1:30 PM.

The classroom teacher is responsible for student behavior, and must remain with students at all times.

AVAILABLE DATES: Any day except select Wednesdays.

COST: No charge for this presentation.

TEACHER MATERIALS: Download copies of the pre-site and on site packets from the confirmation e-mail. Teachers may complete the pre-site packet with their students to prepare for the visit.

STUDENT SUPPLIES: Each student must have a copy of the on-site packet and a pencil. The Outreach teacher will provide clipboards.

TEACHER RESPONSIBILITIES: The classroom teacher must prepare for the arrival of the Land SHARC by:

Arranging for adequate parking space for the mobile laboratory in a parking lot or open field.
Obtaining permission for students to be excused from other classes, if necessary.
Arranging for coverage of your other classes, if necessary.
Providing a copy of the on-site packet for each student.