A visit to José Martí MAST Academy is an invitation to become an active participant in the story of South Florida’s environment. Students move through three interconnected spaces, each building on the last, leaving with a deeper understanding of the ecosystems around them and the power they hold to protect those ecosystems.

The STEAM Trailer: Understanding Our Aquifer The journey begins in the STEAM Trailer, where students are introduced to the Biscayne Aquifer, the source of fresh water for all of South Florida. Through interactive learning, students explore how this underground water system works, why it is increasingly threatened by saltwater intrusion and rising seas, and what it means for the communities that depend on it. Students are invited to think critically, ask questions, and connect the science of water to their own lives.

The Cortada Eco-Art Courtyard: Where Art Meets Action From the trailer, students step into the Cortada Eco-Art Courtyard, a living exhibition where art becomes a tool for environmental engagement. Developed by the Cortada Foundation, the courtyard features participatory eco-art projects by Cuban-American artist Xavier Cortada — projects like Plan(T), Flower Force, Endangered World, and Letters to the Future. Students do not simply observe these exhibits; they participate in them. They plant native trees, commit to eco-actions that support biodiversity, restore pollinator habitats, and write reflective letters to future generations. Each project is designed to spark curiosity, build leadership, and inspire students to see themselves as changemakers capable of addressing the climate challenges facing Miami-Dade.

The Arboretum: Getting to Know Native Plants The experience concludes in the school’s arboretum, where students walk among native Florida plants and trees, many of which they may have just learned about in the courtyard projects. Here, students make the connection between the science of the aquifer, the art of conservation, and the living, breathing landscapes that surround them. They learn to identify native species, understand why these plants are essential to South Florida’s terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, and discover their role in resilience.

The Whole Is Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts Taken together, these three spaces offer students a complete, interdisciplinary picture of the environment they call home. Science explains the systems. Art ignites the will to act. Nature makes it real. Students leave not as passive observers but as eco-emissaries, ready to bring what they have learned back to their schools, their families, and their communities.