On-Site Field Study Trips
The Deering Estate at Cutler is an assured destination for a wealth of experiential and recreation based educational programs that are aligned with local and state standards of learning. The Living Classroom at the Deering Estate at Cutler serves as an environmental education center for all of Miami-Dade County. The 444 acre Estate encompasses globally endangered pine rockland habitat, among the largest blocks of this ecosystem remaining in the United States, as well as coastal tropical hardwood rockland hammocks, mangrove forests, salt marshes, a coastal dune island and the submerged resources of Biscayne Bay. It is one of the few remaining Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) in Miami-Dade County, as well the property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Our Living Classroom provides a hands-on curriculum to community youth and the general public in the fields of ecology, geology, marine biology, archeology, history and art. With some of the highest quality and most diverse natural resources remaining in Miami-Dade County, our Living Classroom also educates our community about preserving our biodiversity through environmental stewardship, environmental sustainability, and overall resource management. All programs are correlated to the Sunshine State Standards and are FCAT compatible. They are structured to engage participants in interactive, positive and balanced activities that help foster an understanding and appreciation as they think critically about the world around them.
On-Site Field Study Trips
The Estate offers a variety of On-Site Field Study Trips led by Education and Interpretive Staff where students can learn, hands-on, about South Florida’s rich heritage and natural resources. These Field Trips place a focus on topics such as archaeology, ecology, biology, marine science, and earth science. All of our Field Study Trips include web-based, pre- and post-activity guides, interactive tours, on-site projects and can be modified to fit your particular interests. Groups can choose one (1) Field Study and one (1) tour/hike for their visit. On-Site Field Study Trips can accommodate up to 4 groups of 30 participants simultaneously.
K-2 Field Studies
Tekesta Quest 1: learn how archaeologists differentiate between artifacts left by different cultures
Touch Tank: an introduction to marine organisms Camo Critters - explore ways organisms hide in the open
Build a Bird: use different adaptations to create a new bird
A Season for Change: what are the differences in the seasons?
3-5 Field Studies
Tekesta Quest 2: become familiar with basic archaeological techniques at our model Tekesta midden
Fishy World: an introduction to fish anatomy through a dissection
Catching Critters: capture and examine organisms from our seagrass and mangrove habitats
Who Dung It? - Owl pellet dissection
Bird Adaptations: which bird beaks are best suited for certain foods?
Greenhouse Effect - examine the roles that the sun and atmosphere play in keeping our planet warm
6-8 Field Studies
Tekesta Quest 3: become familiar with basic archaeological techniques with a focus on excavating soil layers at our model Tekesta midden
Build a Seagrass Community: build a food web as you collect organisms from our seagrass habitat
Predator Profiling: become a profiler as you interpret and identify animal bones
Mosses are Picky Devils: how are mosses different from other plants?
Weather Metrics: design/build different tools to measure the weather
9-12 Field Studies
Tekesta Quest 4: become familiar with stratigraphy and the role it plays in the process of archaeological investigations Invasive Sampling: utilize plant sampling techniques as you look for exotics
Mangrove Life Cycles: explore our mangroves to ID life history stages
Orienteering: see if you can find your way through our natural areas
Water Quality: test and rate different sources of water for purity
Climate Change: examine and debate the effects of climate change
Fee: $5 per participant
We require a ratio of one (1) adult chaperone for every ten (10) children for land based activities and a ratio of one (1) adult chaperone for every six (6) children for water based activities. Additional chaperones above the ratios will have to pay the $10 entrance fee.
Our Royal Palm Grove picnic area is open for lunch. Deering Estate Staff will gladly transport your coolers onto the Estate for you.