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The Innovation Lab is the Makerspace at Notre Dame Academy Elementary.

A large wooden table with yellow stools surrounds it, situated in a classroom-like setting with shelves, tools, and other equipment visible in the background.

A makerspace is a non-traditional classroom designed for the exploration of science, technology, engineering, art, and math (S.T.E.A.M.) learning through a project-based curriculum.

 
In the Innovation Lab students learn and develop 21st-century skills through the process of designing and making.

Students are given design challenges that they must solve in small teams.

The lab is equipped with traditional tools and state of the art technology such as 3D printers and Arduino based circuitry kits.  
The image shows two young women in school uniforms, smiling and working together at a workbench in what appears to be a classroom or workshop setting.
The image shows several young students working together to construct a large, colorful structure made of various materials and objects in what appears to be a classroom or educational setting.
The image shows a group of young students in a classroom setting, with one student in the foreground proudly displaying a project they have created.

Check out some recent projects!

The image shows a group of people, likely students, gathered around a table examining a wooden structure with a white container attached to it.
Mr. Guardado is the Director of Innovation at NDA elementary. He received his BA in Art and Design from the California State University of Northridge, and also holds an MBA from his alma mater.
He is the Founder of NDA’s makerspace, the Innovation Lab and is working to bring more innovation initiatives to the community.
Before coming to the NDA he spent 10 years designing, implementing, and managing educational initiatives and programs for museums including; J. Paul Getty, Norton Simon, and LACMA. When not tinkering he is usually spending time with his wife and two children.