What does it take to turn vision into reality when $15 million and the future of thousands of students are on the line? For Pueblo School District 60 in Colorado, the answer lies in bold leadership, innovative design, and a commitment to equity, backed by a robust partnership with Inventionland Education.

A $15 Million Vision for Change

In 2024, Pueblo School District 60 received a transformative $15 million Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Under the leadership of Drew Hirshon, Director of Magnet Schools, the district launched Project Heroes, an ambitious initiative to introduce STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) programming across three newly reimagined magnet schools.

These schools, including Park View School of Discovery (elementary), Risley School of Exploration (middle school), and Centennial High School’s Design and Innovation Academy, were designed with a single purpose: to connect classroom learning to real-world problem-solving and career pathways that inspire the next generation of innovators.

Designing Immersive Spaces That Spark Curiosity

To bring this vision to life, Pueblo partnered with Inventionland Education, known for creating immersive Innovation Labs® and applied STEM curriculum programs that reimagine what’s possible in education. Together, they built five groundbreaking Innovation Labs across the district. The immersive spaces combine design thinking, fabrication, storytelling, and collaboration into a hands-on experience that enables students to innovate, explore, and take the lead.

Each lab features themed environments that inspire imagination and support project-based learning (PBL). Here, students don’t just learn science or technology; they live it, experimenting, designing prototypes, and pitching solutions to real-world challenges.

“In these spaces, students are not just learning facts,” Hirshon explains. “They’re developing empathy, creativity, collaboration, perseverance, and reflection. These are the very skills they’ll need for the workforce of tomorrow.”

A Culture Rooted in Innovation and Equity

Project Heroes is about more than STREAM courses or lab equipment; it’s about redefining learning for all students, especially those furthest from opportunity. The district’s magnet programs provide equitable access to specialized instruction and career exploration, ensuring that every student, regardless of their background, can envision themselves as creators and problem solvers.

By shifting to project-based learning and a makers’ mindset, Pueblo is already seeing promising results: reduced absenteeism, higher engagement, and stronger community buy-in. Teachers are empowered through professional learning that connects innovation with classroom practice, and students are energized by experiences that feel meaningful and relevant.

Leadership That Makes Change Possible

The success of Project Heroes reflects a clear lesson: true transformation requires both vision and execution. Hirshon and his team turned complex funding requirements into an actionable plan by aligning curriculum design, space transformation, and professional learning around a shared purpose.

From kindergarten through high school, students are part of a seamless STREAM pathway that connects imagination with innovation, preparing them for college, careers, and beyond.

Inventionland Education partners with schools and districts nationwide to create immersive Innovation Labs®, innovation curriculum, and professional learning that inspire creativity and deeper learning. Featured on the Discovery and Science Channels, Inventionland Education’s award-winning approach transforms classrooms into spaces where students dream, design, and develop real-world solutions through the power of invention and imagination.

Contact us to see how you can bring this experience to your school or district.

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