New Verizon Innovative Learning Lab To Be Unveiled At Norwalk School

NORWALK, CT — Norwalk Public Schools will unveil its new Verizon Innovative Learning Lab at West Rocks Middle School during a celebration Monday morning.

According to a news release provided by Norwalk Public Schools, West Rocks will join Nathan Hale Middle School and Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy as proud recipients of a Verizon Innovative Learning Lab, the result of a partnership involving Verizon, Heart of America and the J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute at Arizona State University.

The learning lab gives students and teachers access to emerging technology such as augmented and virtual reality, 3D printing and artificial intelligence, according to the school district.

"We are fortunate to not only add one but three Verizon Innovative Learning Labs to Norwalk Public Schools," Superintendent Alexandra Estrella said in a news release. "These learning labs will offer our scholars a state-of-the-art facility to utilize the latest technology that will prepare them for careers in today’s top industries as well as the jobs of tomorrow. We thank Verizon for this wonderful partnership with Heart of America and Arizona State University and for entrusting our schools and our staff to offer these invaluable tools and skills to our scholars."

Mario Acosta-Velez, director of local engagement, corporate social responsibility and public policy at Verizon East Region, said many students across the nation lack the access to technology and resources they need to be successful in today's digital world.

"On behalf of Verizon," Acosta-Velez said in a news release, "we are excited to enable students in the Norwalk Public School District with this multi-year initiative that integrates emerging technology with an online, project-based curriculum along with real-world problem solving in a custom-designed, experiential learning lab."