submitted by Nichole Smith
Montverde Academy held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:30 pm on Thursday, September 7, 2023, to celebrate the opening of its newly renovated Educational Technology and Innovation Center. MVA is grateful to all donors whose generous financial contributions made this renovation possible.
“The Innovation Center provides a safe space and unique tools for our students to try new things that connect their learning in all their classes,” said Dr. Caryn Long, Director of Educational Technology and Innovation. “We offer opportunities that cannot be found in the average school setting, and you will find that our students work collaboratively through multiple classes to contribute to the Montverde Academy community.”
Prior to the opening of the center, students in the Lower, Middle, and Upper School at Montverde Academy already had access to a robust curriculum in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM). And now, in the newly renovated building, they can benefit from spaces dedicated specifically to technology, gaming, journalism, yearbook, TV/film production, digital photography, technology productivity, maker spaces, engineering, and robotics.
In these dedicated spaces, the center gives students access to resources that will transform their innovative ideas into tangible realities, resources ranging from VR headsets to 3D printers, X-Carve, sewing machines, power tools, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, drones, and more.
Lyder Reksten, a 10th-grade editor for “Interlachen,” MVA’s award-winning yearbook, is grateful that the yearbook staff now has access to more resources than ever before. “The Innovation Center has been instrumental for the mere beginnings of our yearbook collaboration, as it’s provided our staff with all the tools we need to brainstorm, design, and seamlessly create a captivating and beautiful book,” said Lyder. “The environment is always so positive and upbeat, which I hope will help contribute to a yearbook that captures our school’s spirit and unique identity.”
Kyler Thomas, an 11th-grade Distinguished Scholar and EA Sports Academy student, said, “The Innovation Center has given me new opportunities to explore my passion for computer science. It provides new hardware for everyone to create and study the fields of technology they want.”
Informal and formal collaboration spaces are available for students and staff. The formal spaces can be reserved through Dr. Long.
