Innovation in the Middle School: Exploring, Creating and Discovering

What could be better than coming to school two days out of every seven-day cycle knowing that you’re going to design a roller coaster, play with power tools, or throw eggs off the roof? 

This is all part of the Innovation program in middle school. A time when you can step out of your comfort zone and try something new.

Innovation is one of Boys’ Latin’s signature offerings. Capitalizing on a boy’s natural inclination to explore, design, build and create, and knowing that boys learn best by doing, Innovation provides the opportunity for communication and cooperation in mixed age groups. Students may select the activities they want to participate in. With six rounds of Innovation throughout the school year, they can try multiple things or choose longer programs such as robotics or BLTV Futures. 

“Anything active or academic.” says Henry Melcher, middle school head, in explaining the Innovation program. “Innovation is a time for exploration. Innovation is about celebrating the joy of middle school by meeting boys where they are so they can build a more complete idea of where and who they want to be.”

Over the years, students themselves have suggested ideas for the Innovation program. Recent offerings have included scale modeling, cooking, learning new board and card games, woodworking, and pickleball. All designed for a boy to learn, have fun, and perhaps, discover a passion he never knew he had.