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Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) unveiled a Verizon Innovative Learning Lab at Homestead Middle School, equipped with virtual reality headsets, programmable robots, and 3D printers.
The partnership is an effort to give middle school students access to cutting-edge technology that not only makes learning interactive but also provides them with skills that are becoming increasingly important in today’s competitive job market.
“Thank you, Verizon, for your incredible investment on behalf of our children’s future,” said Dr. Jose L. Dotres, superintendent of schools. “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 new lab at Homestead Middle School is equipped with:
• Virtual reality (VR) headsets;
• VR charging cart;
• PICO Neo4VR headsets;
• Apple iPad minis;
• Sphero RVR programmable robots;
• Laptops, including two gaming laptops;
• Smart TV monitor, and
• Numerous coding tools.
“This is a space for my students to learn, to be innovative thinkers and problem solvers,” said Judith A. Gerena, Homestead Middle School principal. “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.”
Later in the school year, Hialeah Middle School and John F. Kennedy Middle School also will be among the Verizon Innovative Learning schools at M-DCPS with Verizon Innovative Learning Labs. In the 2026-27 school year, Citrus Grove K-8 Center and Cutler Bay Middle School will be added to that list, bringing the total at M-DCPS to 12.
“I think it’s cool to learn about something new. I’m not a tech person, but I’m starting to like coding,” said sixth-grader Flor Lopez.
The VIL Lab program is a multi-year initiative that combines immersive cutting-edge technology with an innovative project-based curriculum and real-world problem solving in a custom-designed, state-of-the-art Innovation Lab, all within the school building. The program was created through a partnership with Verizon, Heart of America, and the J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute at Arizona State University.
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