Houston ISD is proud to announce the launch of Verizon Innovative Learning Labs at Holland, Edison and Patrick Henry Middle Schools, made possible by Verizon, through a partnership with Heart of America and the J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute at Arizona State University. An unveiling celebration will be held at Holland Middle School to mark the program’s launch.

“Providing an equitable education experience is something that we cannot accomplish without the generous support of community partners like Verizon” said Superintendent Millard House II. “These Verizon Innovative Learning Labs will be beacons of discovery and ingenuity for our students to develop marketable skills and products for jobs of the future.”

Verizon Innovative Learning, working through its nonprofit partners, provides free technology, free internet access, and hands-on learning experiences to help students in under-resourced communities receive the education necessary for today’s digital economy. The labs incorporate a next-generation, technology-infused curriculum that aims to fundamentally change the way teachers teach and students learn.

“So many students across the nation lack the access to technology and resources they need to be successful in today’s digital world,” said Michelle Robinson, Vice President-Government Affairs, Verizon. “On behalf of Verizon, we are excited to enable students in Holland Middle School, Edison Middle School and Patrick Henry Middle School in Houston Independent 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".

Verizon Innovative Learning Labs enable interactive learning with emerging technologies to help students develop the skills, knowledge, capabilities, and hands-on experiences needed to thrive in the digital world. Verizon’s nonprofit partner Heart of America leads the transformation of the state-of-the-art space in collaboration with the schools and district team, and the J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute at Arizona State University provides an immersive curriculum and training opportunities for the teachers.