HIALEAH, Fla. -- Jose Marti MAST Academy, a magnet school with a focus on science, technology, and engineering will launch a satellite to capture real-time environmental data. The launch and satellite are a product of the BioTech class, a special science elective open to advanced high school students.
"As the proud principal of Jose Marti MAST 6-12 Academy, I am very gratified that our students are leading the way in math and science," administrator Jose Enriquez beamed with pride as he inspected the launch platform that was recently completed on the school's athletic field.
The BioTech class leading the project is the brainchild of Paul Dean, science department chairperson and 2016 teacher of the year. In the class students get an opportunity to create and use technology. "I told the students that we needed more products and they came through in a big way," Dean said of the project that is nearing completion after a year of work.
The launch will place a satellite in geosynchronous orbit above the school's arboretum. The satellite will be used to observe and track the growth and health of the school's collection of native plants.
"The launch trail for this satellite is a parabola and a perfect opportunity to see algebra in motion." Andrew Kearns, math teacher and founder of the arboretum, was involved in every aspect of the project. "Our students have done a great job of tending to the arboretum over the years. One of my students from years ago works for SpaceX and lent a hand to this project too."
As students begin receiving telemetry they will analyze the information in class. "Our stats students recently presented their analysis of data collected for the Million Orchid Project and are eagerly looking forward to working with this new data." Kearns explained the school actively integrates material from numerous outside projects including the Fairchild Challenge into the core curriculum.
Launch control at Jose Marti expects to have the satellite in orbit and operational by the end of the day on April 1st.
Jose Marti MAST 6-12 Academy is a public magnet school in Miami-Dade County Florida.