Field Trips
On-Site Presentations
Marine Skills Course Only
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 field trips, school-site presentations, 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 Sunshine State Standards FCAT Benchmarks. These experiences also count towards fulfilling State of Florida Science Laboratory requirements.
Schools may request services by calling (305) 365-6278, extension 2222 or 2223 beginning on August 18, 2011. Have a calendar available when you call. Requests for field trips, presentations or resources will be filled on a first come, first serve basis until all dates are filled. Confirmation is contingent upon your principal’s written approval to participate in all services requested. A participation request form will be faxed or emailed to you for this purpose.
Pre-, on- and post-site packets for all Outreach programs are available in pdf format. Simply click on the packets for the services you have requested. Use the packets designed for your grade level.
MAST Academy Outreach Services - General Guidelines
- Transportation for all off-campus field trips must be arranged and financed by the school.
- Chaperones are required at a 1:15 chaperone to student ratio for birdwatching trips, and a 1:5 ratio for Miami River boat tours. The MAST Outreach Office will cancel any trip not adequately chaperoned as per School Board policy and Risk Management criteria. Refer to the MDCPS Water Safety Manual for additional guidelines and regulations for water-related field trips.
- Classroom teachers are responsible for student behavior and are to remain with their students at all times during both field trips and school site presentations.
AVAILABLE FIELD TRIPS AND PRESENTATIONS, 2011-12
Dates for all field trips and school-site presentations are available from September 12, 2011 to April 30, 2012. Remember that requests will be processed on a first come, first serve basis, and that dates often fill up very fast.
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FIELD TRIPS
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BIRDS OF THE EVERGLADES |
Select dates Nov -March |
up to 40 students |
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BIRDS OF GREEN CAY/ WAKODAHATCHEE |
Select dates Nov-April |
up to 40 students |
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MIAMI RIVER RUN (Arrange through Miami River Commission-305-644-0544, miamiriver@bellsouth.net) |
Any day |
up to 130 persons |
| Marine Skills Exclusive Field Trip | MIAMI SEAQUARIUM | Any day | up to 40 students |
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SCHOOL-SITE PRESENTATIONS
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LAND SHARC
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Select dates Sept - Dec (Middle), Jan -May (Elementary)
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up to 40 students per session, Highlights up to 48 students per session
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WEATHER ON WHEELS |
Select dates Sept - Dec (Middle), Jan -May (Elementary)
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up to 40 students per session, Highlights up to 48 students per session |
BIRDS OF THE EVERGLADES FIELD TRIP
(Recommended for schools in South Dade)
FOCUS: Students will explore bird watching as an educational and recreational activity.
PROGRAM: Students will learn basic bird groups seen in Everglades National Park. Basic binocular instruction is followed by a walk on Anhinga Trail, a 1/2 mile boardwalk through a sawgrass marsh, where students will attempt to spot and identify the Everglades' famous wading birds. Time permitting, another 1/2 mile walk to search for wintering or migrant songbirds in a hardwood hammock is available on the Gumbo Limbo Trail.
The components of the Birds of The Everglades program include:
- pre-site activities to prepare students for the field trip
- on-site bird field notes activity
- post-site career activity
DATES AVAILABLE: Select dates, November-March.
COST: To enter Everglades National Park without charge, you must request an educational fee waiver. Download the Application for Educational Fee Waiver and copy it onto school letterhead. At least two weeks in advance of your field trip, send or fax the completed application to Everglades National Park (see address on application). Directions for completing the application are found on the back of the application. When describing the educational objectives of the bird watching trip, be sure to mention that it will be led by staff from the Outreach Department at MAST Academy. Attach to the application your school’s tax exemption form (the Consumer’s Certificate of Exemption, available from your treasurer.) You will receive a letter from Everglades National Park confirming your scheduled field trip date. Bring the letter with you, and use it as your entrance pass.
Transportation costs are the responsibility of the school.
TEACHER MATERIALS: Download copies of the pre-trip, on-site and post-trip packets from the Teacher Packets page. Additional Online Resources are also available.
An instructional video, to help prepare you and your students for your Birds of the Everglades field trip, is available on our Videos page. A DVD version of this video can be sent to your school upon request. The DVD will be placed in school mail approximately four weeks before the date of your mobile laboratory presentation. The DVD should be returned to the MAST Outreach teacher on the day of your presentation.
STUDENT SUPPLIES: Each student must have a pencil and a copy of the on-site packet. All other materials (binoculars, field guides, and clipboards) will be provided by the Outreach teacher.
LUNCH: We will have lunch at the Long Pine Key Picnic Area, about a ten minute drive from the Royal Palm Visitors Center. Bring a bag lunch and drinks. We recommend that the school pack a lunch for all attending the trip, since there is no place to purchase lunch. Drinks and snacks are available at the Royal Palm Visitor’s Center, starting point for both the Anhinga and Gumbo Limbo Trails.
ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE: Since you are paying for transportation, you may extend your field trip as it suits your schedule. However, you must notify the Outreach Office so that the Outreach teacher can be there to meet you at the field trip site. Schools should meet the Outreach teacher at the Ernest Coe Visitor Center (the main park visitor center).
EVALUATIONS: Student and teacher evaluations for this field trip must be completed and returned to the Outreach Office within ten class days after the trip.
RECOGNITION: All students sucessfully completing 80% or more of pre, on and post-site activities will receive a Certificate of Recognition from MAST Academy Outreach.
BIRDS OF GREEN CAY/WAKODAHATCHEE WETLANDS FIELD TRIP
(Recommended for schools in North Dade)
FOCUS: Students will explore bird watching as an educational and recreational activity.
PROGRAM: Students will learn basic bird groups seen at Green Cay Wetlands, in Boynton Beach, or Wakodahatchee Wetlands, in Delray Beach (both are in Palm Beach County). Basic binocular instruction is followed by a walk on Green Cay's 1.5 mile boardwalk, or Wakodahatchee’s 1/2 mile boardwalk through a freshwater marsh, where students will attempt to spot and identify a wide variety of water birds.
The components of the Birds of Green Cay/Birds of Wakodahatchee program include:
- pre-site activities to prepare students for the field trip
- on-site bird field notes activity
- post-site career activity
DATES AVAILABLE: Select dates, November to April.
COST: Transportation costs are the responsibility of the school. Keep in mind that since this is an out-of-county field trip, you must submit field trip paperwork for region approval no later than one month prior to the scheduled date for this trip.
TEACHER MATERIALS: Download copies of the pre-trip, on-site and post-trip packets from the Teacher Packets page. Additional Online Resources are also available.
An instructional video, to help prepare you and your students for your Birds of Green Cay or Birds of Wakodahatchee field trip, is available on our Videos page. A DVD version of this video can be sent to your school upon request. The DVD will be placed in school mail approximately four weeks before the date of your mobile laboratory presentation. The DVD should be returned to the MAST Outreach teacher on the day of your presentation.
STUDENT SUPPLIES: Each student must have a pencil and a copy of the on-site packet. All other materials(binoculars, field guides, and clipboards) will be provided by the Outreach teacher.
LUNCH: There are two options for lunch: a nearby fast food restaurant (Burger King on Atlantic Avenue: call 561-499-1650 to provide them with arrival time and number of students), or a picnic lunch at a nearby park (Morikami Park, on Jog Road south of Linton Blvd.).
ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE: The Outreach teacher will meet you at your school to accompany you to Green Cay or Wakodahatchee Wetlands. From north Dade, it will take approximately 45 minutes to reach the wetlands. (Green Cay Wetlands are at 12800 Hagan Ranch Road in Boynton Beach; Wakodahatchee Wetlands are at 13036 Jog Road in Delray Beach.)
EVALUATIONS: Student and teacher evaluations for this field trip must be completed and returned to the Outreach Office within ten class days after the trip.
RECOGNITION: All students sucessfully completing 80% or more of pre, on and post-site activities will receive a Certificate of Recognition from MAST Academy Outreach.
MIAMI RIVER RUN FIELD TRIP
FOCUS: Students travel up the Miami River aboard the “Island Queen” to explore the maritime industries along the river, the career opportunities available here, and the history of the river.
PROGRAM: This historical, maritime and career orientation trip begins at Bayside Marketplace. Miami River history, cultural impact, maritime industries, and economic impact is seen, felt, smelled, and heard during this "run" up Miami's working river.
The components of the Miami River Run program include:
- pre-site activities to prepare students for the field trip
- on-site activities while on the tour
- post-site environmental awareness and career activities
DATES AVAILABLE: Any day
COST: Up to twenty-five trips will be funded by the Miami River Commission on a first-come, first-serve basis. Each school is limited to one funded trip and is encouraged to fill the boat up with 130 passengers (including chaperones). Additional trips will cost $750.00. Transportation costs are covered by the school. Trips are arranged directly through the Miami River Commission (305-644-0544 or miamiriver@bellsouth.net).
TEACHER MATERIALS: Download copies of the pre-trip, on-site, and post-trip packets from the Teacher Packets page. Additional Online Resources are also available. Refer to the MDCPS Water Safety Manual, pages 25-28, for guidelines and regulations for this water-related field trip. All questions regarding requirements for water-related field trips should be directed to Dr. Jayne Greenberg, Executive Director of MDCPS's Office of Life Skills, at 305-995-1963.
STUDENT SUPPLIES: Each student must have a clipboard, a pencil, and a copy of the Miami River Run on-site packet. Encourage your students to bring cameras.
LUNCH: Only chips, candy, and soft drinks are available on the Island Queen. You may bring a bag lunch and eat at Bayside after the cruise, or purchase a lunch at Bayside.
ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE: Plan to arrive at the Island Queen (at Bayside Marketplace) and be ready to board by 9:30 AM. The River Run Tour begins at 9:45 AM and lasts approximately two hours. Due to bridge schedules on the Miami River, tour vessels may be denied entry to the river if behind schedule due to a late-arriving school. Island Queen reserves the right to shorten or re-route tours that are behind schedule.
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 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
- school-site lessons aboard the mobile laboratory, where students work cooperatively, integrating maritime/technology themes at lessons called "weather stations"
- post-site activities to strengthen students' analytical skills
The mobile laboratory includes four weather computer stations, a digital camera station and five weather instrument stations. On-site activities last 110 minutes and can accomodate up to 40 students. Only one session may be scheduled per day.
A "Highights" version includes two weather computer stations, a digital camera station and three weather instrument stations. On-site activities last 70 minutes and can accomodate up to 48 students Up to two sessions may be scheduled per day.
The classroom teacher is responsible for student behavior, and must remain with his/her students at all times.
AVAILABLE DATES: Any day except select Wednesdays.
NOTE: LAST PRESENTATION MUST BE OVER BY 1:30 PM.
COST: No charge for this presentation.
TEACHER MATERIALS: Download copies of the pre-site, on-site, answer key and post-site packets from the Teacher Packets page. For the "Highlights" version, download these on-site and answer key packets. Additional Online Resources are also available.
An instructional video, to help prepare you and your students for your Weather on Wheels visit, is available on our Videos page. A DVD version of this video can be sent to your school upon request. The DVD will be placed in school mail approximately four weeks before the date of your mobile laboratory presentation. The DVD should be returned to the MAST Outreach teacher on the day of your presentation.
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:
1. Arranging for adequate parking space for the mobile laboratory in a parking lot or open field.
2. Obtaining permission for students to be excused from other classes.
3. Arranging for coverage of your other classes, if necessary.
4 . Providing a copy of the on-site packet for each student.
EVALUATIONS: Student and Teacher evaluations for this presentation must be completed and returned to the Outreach Office within ten days after the presentation.
RECOGNITION: Upon request, all students sucessfully completing 80% or more of pre, on and post-site activities will receive a Certificate of Recognition from MAST Academy Outreach.
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 at lessons called "docks"
- post-site activities to strengthen students' communications and analytical skills.
The mobile laboratory includes four Computer Docks, a digital camera dock, and five Wet Lab Docks. On-site activities last 110 minutes and can accomodate up to 40 students. Only one session may be scheduled per day.
A "Highights" version includes two Computer Docks, a digital camera dock and three Wet Lab Docks. On-site activities last 70 minutes and can accomodate up to 48 students Up to two sessions may be scheduled per day.
The classroom teacher is responsible for student behavior, and must remain with his/her students at all times.
AVAILABLE DATES: Any day except select Wednesdays.
NOTE: LAST PRESENTATION MUST BE OVER BY 1:30 PM.
COST: No charge for this presentation.
TEACHER MATERIALS: Download copies of the pre-site, on site, answer key and post-site packets from the Teacher Packets page. For the "Highlights" version, download these on-site and answer key packets. Additional Online Resources are also available.
An instructional video, to help prepare you and your students for your Weather on Wheels visit, is available on our Videos page. A DVD version of this video can be sent to your school upon request. The DVD will be placed in school mail approximately four weeks before the date of your mobile laboratory presentation. The DVD should be returned to the MAST Outreach teacher on the day of your presentation.
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:
1. Arranging for adequate parking space for the mobile laboratory in a parking lot or open field.
2. Obtaining permission for students to be excused from other classes, if necessary.
3. Arranging for coverage of your other classes, if necessary.
4 . Providing a copy of the on-site packet for each student.
EVALUATIONS: Student and Teacher evaluations for this presentation must be completed and returned to the Outreach Office within ten days after the presentation.
RECOGNITION: Upon request, all students sucessfully completing 80% or more of pre, on and post-site activities will receive a Certificate of Recognition from MAST Academy Outreach.