Miami Lakes advisory board authorizes student seismic-energy project to study effects of limestone blasting

The Town of Miami Lakes Blasting Advisory Board voted to authorize two committee members to finish a proposed student science project that asks high school teams to model how seismic energy travels through South Florida strata and how those waves can affect structures.

Edwin (committee member and outgoing secretary) said he had presented the pilot program and the project concept to the town council and that council had approved posting project material. Board members discussed a short, focused prompt so students could deliver visual demonstrations within available timeframes. The group agreed the project should be grounded in the local geology: “local strata” and the role of a high water table were explicitly listed as focal points of the guidance to students.

The project, as revised by the board, will ask students to design and create a visual or physical model that demonstrates how seismic-energy waves travel through the ground as a result of limerock blasting (or other energy sources) and how the waves interact with different materials and structures. The board discussed format options (3D models, digital models, hybrids) and recommended prioritizing easily understandable, visual demonstrations for judges and the public.

Board members identified three initial target schools in or near Miami Lakes (Barbara Goleman, HML, and Miami Lakes Educational Center) and agreed to start with one school this year if schedule constraints prevent broader participation. The board also discussed timing: because the end of the school year is near, members agreed to send a “tickler” email to principals and science heads to assess interest; if there is insufficient interest, the project would be postponed to next year or presented as a summer project.

The board debated the prize structure and sponsorship. The meeting record shows multiple figures discussed: a $1,000 figure was mentioned by one donor during the conversation and a $500/$300/$200 tier was recorded as the suggested prize breakdown; the board did not adopt a final, single pledge amount at the meeting and agreed that sponsorship and procurement steps would be handled through town procedures. The board specifically authorized David Bennett and Miguel (committee member) to draft the formal project description and hypothesis and submit it to the town liaison and marketing for procurement and publication.

Next steps: David Bennett and Miguel will produce a draft project description and timeline; the draft will be routed through the town’s marketing/liaison (Claracel/Clarissa and Noah were named during discussion) for posting or inclusion in a landing page. The board requested that members be copied on the submission and offered the opportunity to review the final text before the town posts it.

The motion to authorize David and Miguel to finalize the description carried by voice vote. The board did not take a separate vote on grant acceptance or on specific sponsorship amounts at the meeting.

Why it matters: The project is intended to generate locally relevant data and classroom engagement around a recurring community concern — ground vibrations and structural effects potentially linked to nearby limestone mining — while providing a hands-on STEM experience for high school students.

The committee plans at least one follow-up meeting to finalize outreach and to confirm whether the first iteration will proceed this year or be scheduled for the next school term.