PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
Interested in joining MaST? All the information you need to know can be found here.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Quality MaST applicants will have a strong educational background in science and math as well as a strong desire to pursue STEM research.
Prior STEM research/science fair experience is a plus, but not required for admission.
HOW TO APPLY
Use the link above to open our digital application. Applicants will need prior educational information (STEM courses taken, grades, etc.).
​
Applications are accepted from the beginning of the student's 8th grade school year through March. Only 50 students will be admitted, so early applications have the best chances.
​
Applcations are periodically reviewed by the MaST faculty and decisions are sent out monthly beginning in February.
MaST Course Progression
Alongside AICE and standard courses in math, science, English, and social studies, MaST students take the following courses depending on their research interests. These courses count as electives that they will take alongside their core classes and other electives.
EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCE I HONORS
Teacher guided introduction to advanced research methods. Study will include scientific skills, all parts of a research project, hands-on experimentation across various STEM areas, a short-term research project and planning of following year's reserach topic.
EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCE III HONORS
Independent STEM research with teacher meetings for guidance. Entrance to various paper, poster, and oral competitions. Senior year culminates in public symposium research defense.
AP SEMINAR
STEM focused class that engages students in conversations that explore the complexities of topics and issues. AP Exam consists of a team project/presentation, individual research-based essay/presentation, and written analysis test.
EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCE II HONORS
Independent STEM research with teacher meetings for guidance. Entrance to various paper, poster, and oral competitions.
AICE PSYCHOLOGY AS
College-level psychology course only offered to sophomores at SHS if they are in the MaST program pursuing behavioral science research. Provides a foundation for behavioral research methods.
AP RESEARCH
Independent STEM research experimental project with teacher meetings for guidance. Entrance to various paper, poster, and oral competitions. AP Exam consists of 4000-5000 word research paper and oral presentation research defense.
Course Descriptions
MaST Research Scholar Graduation Requirements
Successful completion of the MaST program results in attaining Research Scholar status. Research Scholars are presented with a medal to wear at graduation and an award signifying their accomplishment at their senior symposium as well as recognition in the SHS graduation program. To graduate as research scholars, students must meet the following requirements.
GPA
Students must graduate with a minimum of 3.5 weighted GPA. Students who do not maintain this GPA may be placed on probation and removed from the program if improvement is not demonstrated.
Courses
Students must take a minimum of 4 honors/college-level science courses and 3 honors/college-level math courses. Additionally, students must take both AP Seminar and AP Research. Middle school credits do count towards the requirements. Although 4 years of research courses are preferred, students must have a minimum of 3 years of MaST courses.
Presentation
Students must defend their research at our public senior symposium at the end of their senior year. Additionally, students, at a minimum, must enter the SHS science science fair each year they have a project.
Helpful Links
AICE is Sarasota High's honors/college-level program. Most MaST students are also AICE students. Please visit their page to schedule a tour (make sure to request a visit to the MaST lab), find out more info on thier program, and to fill out their separate application
So much more than just amazing academics, check out our school website to see all the different things your home for the next 4 years has to offer!
This is your first assignment in MaST designed to help you discover research topics and learn how to discuss what you have learned. It will be due the 2nd week of classes, so starting during the summer is always a great idea!