|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) unveiled a redesigned, technology-rich Innovation Space at Rockway Middle School. The new space includes an interactive floor and new furniture in an open area where students can engage in creative group activities.
District representatives, Miami-Dade School Board chair Mari Tere Rojas, Miami-Dade County District 10 Commissioner Anthony Rodriguez, Rockway principal Ruben Morales, teachers, and students attended the ribbon-cutting.
“You’re going to be able to come here with your classmates and really share, really innovate in your learning,” said Lourdes Diaz, M-DCPS chief academic officer. “Taking what you have and making it what you need it to be is what we hope this space will provide for each and every one of you.”
The media center redesign included adding modular, comfortable furniture for students to relax and to accommodate a variety of uses, and a high-top table that can seat students with their laptops, for studying or playing games.
“What’s great about this new furniture at our new Innovation Space is that it adapts to what the students need to make them feel comfortable while they are here,” Morales said.
“There are new bookshelves, soft-seating and collaboration tables. We’re simply bringing the learning experience to the 21st Century.”
There is also a Makerspace area, which includes robotics, arts and crafts, hands-on technology, and board games.
“I love how school has evolved, making this space amazing. I wish we had this when we were growing up, to open our eyes and to give us the opportunity to explore new things and try out new things,” said Alain Morera, an alumnus whose daughters, Amanda and Madison, currently attend the school. “I’m very proud that my daughters are Falcons and that they’re going to continue the tradition of the school.”
The redesign includes new, large windows throughout the Innovation Space as well as new shelving for books. The area also is equipped with flip-and-nest tables, which can be used for classroom instruction and then quickly and efficiently stored when not in use, maximizing and maintaining an open space for other activities.
“Now with the open windows, it looks so much better – with the new chairs, new desks and the books,” said eighth-grader Michael Marrero. “Everything is changed now, and the lights and the new colors make it bright, vibrant and eye-catching, a major change for Rockway.”
The initiative, which is creating 18 Innovation Spaces for middle school students over the course of two years, is supported by a $2 million partnership between M-DCPS, College Football Playoff Foundation, 2026 Miami Host Committee, and Orange Bowl Committee.
For the most up-to-date information, download the Dadeschools Mobile App to your iPhone or Android device.
ABOUT US:
For more Miami community news, look no further than Miami Community Newspapers. This Miami online group of newspapers covers a variety of topics about the local community and beyond. Miami’s Community Newspapers offers daily news, online resources, podcasts and other multimedia content to keep readers informed. With topics ranging from local news to community events, Miami’s Community Newspapers is the ideal source for staying up to date with the latest news and happenings in the area.
This family-owned media company publishes more than a dozen neighborhood publications, magazines, special sections on their websites, newsletters, as well as distributing them in print throughout Miami Dade County from Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Pinecrest, South Miami, Kendall, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay and Homestead. Each online publication and print editions provide comprehensive coverage of local news, events, business updates, lifestyle features, and local initiatives within its respective community.
Additionally, the newspaper has exclusive Miami community podcasts, providing listeners with an in-depth look into Miami’s culture. Whether you’re looking for local Miami news, or podcasts, Miami’s Community Newspapers has you covered. For more information, be sure to check out: https://communitynewspapers.com.
If you have any questions, feel free to email Michael@communitynewspapers.com or Grant@communitynewspapers.com.
