M-DCPS Unveils Innovation Space at North Dade Middle School

Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) unveiled a redesigned, technology-rich Innovation Space at North Dade Middle School’s media center. The new space includes a “Jump ‘n Learn” Active Floor and new furniture in an open area where students can engage in creative group activities. 

“The vision for this Innovation Space is to foster a new way of learning,” M-DCPS Chief Academic Officer Lourdes Diaz said. “While learning from books and devices is important, this space will take it to a whole new level by encouraging creativity and collaboration among students and teachers.”

The “Jump ‘n Learn” Active Floor is designed for students to play virtual soccer, race cars, and many other games, but they can also take interactive quizzes that align with the math and science curriculum. 

The chess corner features four tables for students to compete with one another, as well as two cabinets to store the pieces and boards. North Dade Middle School Principal Jeff Rateau said the new chess team will be thrilled with this welcome addition to the media center and the fact that they now have a space to practice.

North Dade Middle School students practicing in the new chess corner.

“This Innovation Space is another avenue to learning,” said Principal Jeff Rateau. “It’s an opportunity to have fun in a space that’s beautiful and infuses technology and different kinds of furniture, where students can learn and collaborate.” 

The media center redesign also includes modular, comfortable furniture to accommodate a variety of uses and a Genius Bar, a high-top table that can seat eight students with their laptops, for studying or playing games. Four additional smaller high-top tables accommodate eight more students. 

The center is also equipped with flip-and-nest tables, which can be used for classroom instruction and then stored when not in use, maintaining an open space for other activities.

“This is a space where I can go to read, play chess, or do a lot of things, and have new chances to grow and learn. This is going to be fun,” said 7th grader Amekwa Anderson. 

Over the next year, 18 M-DCPS middle school media centers will be redesigned to meet the unique social, emotional, and academic needs of students and teachers. 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. 

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