In Compton Unified School District, located in Compton, CA, technology is viewed as more than a tool for productivity; district leaders see it as a catalyst for transformation and are committed to ensuring equitable access for all students.
“Our goal is to shift students from being mere consumers of technology to becoming its creators,” explains Alvaro Brito, the district’s team administrator.
The district took its initial steps toward this vision by collaborating with Verizon and its nonprofit partners to introduce Verizon Innovative Learning Labs in seven of its 36 schools. These labs are state-of-the-art experiential learning environments designed for Title I schools. They feature cutting-edge technologies like augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and 3D printing, paired with a project-based curriculum that encourages students to use technology, social innovation, and design thinking to create solutions that positively impact their communities.
Recognizing the success of these labs, district leaders sought to expand their reach to all 36 schools. “We didn’t want only a few schools to benefit from these incredible labs; we aimed to replicate the experience across the entire district,” Brito says.
The Verizon Innovative Learning Lab program has empowered schools nationwide to become hubs of innovation, and Compton Unified saw significant benefits from the initiative. At Davis Middle School, the district’s first lab participant, the program boosted student engagement, attendance, and interest in solving real-world community problems. “Verizon noticed these positive changes as well,” notes Michele Dawson, Compton Unified’s senior director of innovation and technology.
Using the existing labs as a blueprint, educators developed a plan to scale the program. Principals identified suitable spaces within their schools for transformation, while technology and furniture were procured to create similar learning environments.
Staff training was also a critical component of the expansion. In summer 2022, 30 teachers participated in a week-long professional development session led by Arizona State University, which designs the program’s STEM curriculum and training. “We assembled a cohort of educators from across the district to train on the technologies featured in the labs,” Brito explains.
The result was the rapid establishment of STEAM labs throughout the district, benefiting both students and teachers. These labs became innovation hubs where educators could learn to use new technologies and build their skills.
Students, naturally adept at adapting to technology, embraced the labs enthusiastically. “They often think they’re just playing, but they’re actually developing skills that could one day benefit them and their families,” shares Susanna Miranda, principal of Clinton Elementary School.
Miranda is deeply committed to preparing her students for the future. “I want my students to see themselves as engineers and coders,” she says. As a member of the same community, Miranda feels a personal connection to her students and is determined to provide them with every opportunity for success.
Dawson reflects on the program’s broader impact: “We’ve accelerated our students’ journey into 21st-century learning and innovation. This initiative has transformed the trajectory of Compton Unified School District, propelling it into the future.”
“Our goal is to shift students from being mere consumers of technology to becoming its creators,” explains Alvaro Brito, the district’s team administrator.
The district took its initial steps toward this vision by collaborating with Verizon and its nonprofit partners to introduce Verizon Innovative Learning Labs in seven of its 36 schools. These labs are state-of-the-art experiential learning environments designed for Title I schools. They feature cutting-edge technologies like augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and 3D printing, paired with a project-based curriculum that encourages students to use technology, social innovation, and design thinking to create solutions that positively impact their communities.
Recognizing the success of these labs, district leaders sought to expand their reach to all 36 schools. “We didn’t want only a few schools to benefit from these incredible labs; we aimed to replicate the experience across the entire district,” Brito says.
The Verizon Innovative Learning Lab program has empowered schools nationwide to become hubs of innovation, and Compton Unified saw significant benefits from the initiative. At Davis Middle School, the district’s first lab participant, the program boosted student engagement, attendance, and interest in solving real-world community problems. “Verizon noticed these positive changes as well,” notes Michele Dawson, Compton Unified’s senior director of innovation and technology.
Using the existing labs as a blueprint, educators developed a plan to scale the program. Principals identified suitable spaces within their schools for transformation, while technology and furniture were procured to create similar learning environments.
Staff training was also a critical component of the expansion. In summer 2022, 30 teachers participated in a week-long professional development session led by Arizona State University, which designs the program’s STEM curriculum and training. “We assembled a cohort of educators from across the district to train on the technologies featured in the labs,” Brito explains.
The result was the rapid establishment of STEAM labs throughout the district, benefiting both students and teachers. These labs became innovation hubs where educators could learn to use new technologies and build their skills.
Students, naturally adept at adapting to technology, embraced the labs enthusiastically. “They often think they’re just playing, but they’re actually developing skills that could one day benefit them and their families,” shares Susanna Miranda, principal of Clinton Elementary School.
Miranda is deeply committed to preparing her students for the future. “I want my students to see themselves as engineers and coders,” she says. As a member of the same community, Miranda feels a personal connection to her students and is determined to provide them with every opportunity for success.
Dawson reflects on the program’s broader impact: “We’ve accelerated our students’ journey into 21st-century learning and innovation. This initiative has transformed the trajectory of Compton Unified School District, propelling it into the future.”