Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) has opened a new Verizon Innovative Learning Lab at Homestead Middle School, giving students hands-on access to emerging technologies such as virtual reality, robotics, and 3D printing.
The new lab — part of a partnership with Verizon, Heart of America, and Arizona State University’s J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute — is designed to make learning more interactive while equipping students with skills that are increasingly vital in today’s tech-driven job market.
“Thank you, Verizon, for your incredible investment on behalf of our children’s future,” said Superintendent Dr. Jose L. Dotres. “The students will be engaged in augmented reality, virtual reality, smart tools, coding, and AI, altogether in this room. These tools make students curious about learning.”
The Homestead Middle School lab includes PICO Neo4VR headsets, a VR charging cart, Apple iPad minis, Sphero RVR programmable robots, 3D printers, laptops — including two gaming models — a Smart TV monitor, and an array of coding tools.
“This is a space for my students to learn, to be innovative thinkers and problem solvers,” said Principal Judith A. Gerena. “For students being able to see this technology, to touch it, to be able to interact with it — that is what takes it to the next level for them.”
Homestead is the latest M-DCPS campus to join the Verizon Innovative Learning (VIL) program. Later this school year, Hialeah Middle School and John F. Kennedy Middle School will also open VIL labs, followed by Citrus Grove K-8 Center and Cutler Bay Middle School in the 2026–27 school year. Once complete, 12 Miami-Dade schools will be part of the initiative.
“I think it’s cool to learn about something new,” said sixth-grader Flor Lopez. “I’m not a tech person, but I’m starting to like coding.”
The Verizon Innovative Learning Lab program is a multi-year initiative that blends immersive technology, project-based learning, and real-world problem solving inside custom-designed, state-of-the-art spaces on school campuses.
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