Building Access, Agency, and Identity: Tools That Transformed Our Creative Tech Lab
Building Access, Agency, and Identity: Tools That Transformed Our Creative Tech Lab
One of my favorite parts of this work is transforming not just classrooms—but mindsets. It’s not about flashy tech for tech’s sake. It’s about making high-tech creativity accessible, joyful, and identity-affirming for students who might not otherwise see themselves in these spaces.
One of my favorite parts of this work is transforming not just classrooms—but mindsets. It’s not about flashy tech for tech’s sake. It’s about making high-tech creativity accessible, joyful, and identity-affirming for students who might not otherwise see themselves in these spaces.
Through partner support (plus a few things out of my own pocket), I’ve been able to equip both of my lab spaces with tools that elevate student voice, support creative autonomy, and bring serious design power into student hands.
Through partner support (plus a few things out of my own pocket), I’ve been able to equip both of my lab spaces with tools that elevate student voice, support creative autonomy, and bring serious design power into student hands.
Here's a breakdown of what we've added—and how each tool supports our learning goals:
Here's a breakdown of what we've added—and how each tool supports our learning goals:
The Tools That Helped Us Level Up
The Tools That Helped Us Level Up
High-quality condenser microphone
Used by students to narrate museum rooms and video projects—giving their voices professional clarity and confidence.
High-quality condenser microphone
Used by students to narrate museum rooms and video projects—giving their voices professional clarity and confidence.
Laptop stands for MacBook Pros
Helps students work more comfortably and ergonomically during long sessions of coding, video editing, and design.
Laptop stands for MacBook Pros
Helps students work more comfortably and ergonomically during long sessions of coding, video editing, and design.
Gaming keyboards and mice (for both the gaming PCs and the MacBook Pros)
These responsive tools support high-performance interaction in game development, 3D modeling, and creative tech workflows.
Side note: The district-issued desktop PCs arrived without keyboards, mice, or Bluetooth capability. I personally purchased Bluetooth adapters for all six units to get them fully functional. Now, with glowing keyboards and ergonomic mice, students line up to use them.
Gaming keyboards and mice (for both the gaming PCs and the MacBook Pros)
These responsive tools support high-performance interaction in game development, 3D modeling, and creative tech workflows.
Side note: The district-issued desktop PCs arrived without keyboards, mice, or Bluetooth capability. I personally purchased Bluetooth adapters for all six units to get them fully functional. Now, with glowing keyboards and ergonomic mice, students line up to use them.
External monitors for MacBook Pros
These second screens transformed our MacBooks from an afterthought to highly desired creative stations. The expanded workspace makes using Unreal Engine, Adobe Creative Suite, and Twinmotion much more intuitive—especially for students building complex digital environments.
External monitors for MacBook Pros
These second screens transformed our MacBooks from an afterthought to highly desired creative stations. The expanded workspace makes using Unreal Engine, Adobe Creative Suite, and Twinmotion much more intuitive—especially for students building complex digital environments.
Insta360 Ace Pro camera
This high-quality, immersive camera has opened new doors for storytelling and self-reflection. Students use it to document their projects, explore 360-degree perspectives, and create content that feels personal, cinematic, and powerful.
Insta360 Ace Pro camera
This high-quality, immersive camera has opened new doors for storytelling and self-reflection. Students use it to document their projects, explore 360-degree perspectives, and create content that feels personal, cinematic, and powerful.
Rolling shelves and mobile storage units
Flexible, open storage makes a big difference in student independence. These shelves keep tools visible and accessible, reducing bottlenecks and giving students ownership over how and when they engage with materials.
Rolling shelves and mobile storage units
Flexible, open storage makes a big difference in student independence. These shelves keep tools visible and accessible, reducing bottlenecks and giving students ownership over how and when they engage with materials.
Headphones
Essential for editing, media production, and quiet focus in shared creative spaces. Students use them for everything from Premiere Pro to listening to their own narrated voiceovers—building confidence and refining their craft.
Headphones
Essential for editing, media production, and quiet focus in shared creative spaces. Students use them for everything from Premiere Pro to listening to their own narrated voiceovers—building confidence and refining their craft.
Spark-themed star-shaped squeaky toys, STEM-themed enameled pins, and star stickers
Yes, joyful incentives are part of our system too. These playful rewards are more than cute—they celebrate creative breakthroughs, perseverance, and personal growth in ways that feel human and fun.
Spark-themed star-shaped squeaky toys, STEM-themed enameled pins, and star stickers
Yes, joyful incentives are part of our system too. These playful rewards are more than cute—they celebrate creative breakthroughs, perseverance, and personal growth in ways that feel human and fun.
Green screen with tripods and professional lighting equipment
This setup has turned our classroom into a fully student-run production studio. The lighting system is especially important—it ensures all skin tones are represented beautifully in full color, affirming student identity in every frame.
Green screen with tripods and professional lighting equipment
This setup has turned our classroom into a fully student-run production studio. The lighting system is especially important—it ensures all skin tones are represented beautifully in full color, affirming student identity in every frame.
Stream Deck
This tool has introduced students to real-time media control. From live transitions to managing sound and visuals during video productions, the Stream Deck helps students learn the language of broadcasting and gives them agency over how their stories are told.
Stream Deck
This tool has introduced students to real-time media control. From live transitions to managing sound and visuals during video productions, the Stream Deck helps students learn the language of broadcasting and gives them agency over how their stories are told.
And then there’s the Spark-powered vibe...
And then there’s the Spark-powered vibe...
Beyond what was funded through grants, I’ve personally added dozens of items to create a space that feels creative, welcoming, and undeniably “ours.” Think countless star-themed neons, a custom “SparkLab” neon sign, colorful LED strip lights that shift with the mood of the room, and—of course—the solar-powered lucky cats perched high in the tiny windows. They nod silently all day long toward the sliver of sky we can see, catching the sun just enough to wave in some joy, whimsy, and maybe a bit of cosmic luck.
Beyond what was funded through grants, I’ve personally added dozens of items to create a space that feels creative, welcoming, and undeniably “ours.” Think countless star-themed neons, a custom “SparkLab” neon sign, colorful LED strip lights that shift with the mood of the room, and—of course—the solar-powered lucky cats perched high in the tiny windows. They nod silently all day long toward the sliver of sky we can see, catching the sun just enough to wave in some joy, whimsy, and maybe a bit of cosmic luck.
These tools don’t just sit on shelves—they get used, daily, by students who are discovering what it means to see themselves as makers, creators, and storytellers. And more importantly: they’re not just making cool things—they’re becoming something new.
These tools don’t just sit on shelves—they get used, daily, by students who are discovering what it means to see themselves as makers, creators, and storytellers. And more importantly: they’re not just making cool things—they’re becoming something new.
From Spark to firestorm—this is what happens when access meets intention.
From Spark to firestorm—this is what happens when access meets intention.