Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) unveiled a redesigned, technology-rich, innovation space at Palmetto Middle School’s media center yesterday. The new space includes virtual reality (VR) headsets, a Makerspace area with robotics for hands-on learning, and new furniture in an open area where students can engage in creative group activities.
“These innovation spaces will continue to evolve and continue to innovate over time,” said Chief Academic Officer Lourdes Diaz. “Students will be able to think, learn, play, explore, and solve in a way that expands their thinking, expands their horizons, now and in the future.”
The project was funded by a $2 million partnership between M-DCPS, the College Football Playoff Foundation, and the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship Game Host Committee.
The 15 VR donated headsets are designed to supplement students’ math and science curriculum. The Makerspace area includes robotics, as well as arts and crafts, and other hands-on technology.
Palmetto Middle School students testing out the Makerspace kits
The Innovation Space also includes an Esports gaming area, with eight desktop computers so that students can delve into games like Minecraft, programming software like Scratch, and Tinkercat, 3D printing software.
“It has been exciting to see the transformation,” said Palmetto Middle School Principal Alina Valero. “We see how students have been using the Makerspace and the computers and there are students who don’t take the robotics classes and don’t have access to this technology but now they all have access. That is important and exciting.”
Over the next two years, a total of 18 M-DCPS middle school media centers will be redesigned to meet the unique social, emotional, and academic needs of students and teachers.
For the most up-to-date information, please download the Dadeschools Mobile App to your iPhone or Android device. Follow us on X, @MDCPS and @SuptDotres, on Instagram @miamischools and @SuptDotres, and on Facebook at MiamiSchools.
# # #
25-VSP/134/AR