“The Garner Center of Innovation is a place where students can take what’s in their imagination and actually bring it to life. Whether they’re exploring robotics, STEM, design, or building something completely new, we want them to leave knowing they can make anything they set their minds to.”
Tracy H Haswell
Director of the Garner Center for Innovation
Welcome to the Garner Center for Innovation
Connecting Creativity, Technology, and Purpose
Collaborative Learning
The collaboration between students and educators transforms learning into discovery through immersive, project-based experiences that spark curiosity and creativity.
Innovative Tools
Innovative Tools: Empowering students to imagine, design, and create with the latest technologies that bring ideas to life.
Revolutionary Tech: At the heart of the Garner Center for Innovation, advanced tools like 3D printing, laser cutting, and programming platforms drive ingenuity, spark collaboration, and prepare students to shape the future.
Enhance the Educational Experience
In the GCI, we integrate emerging technologies and real-world experiences across the curriculum, with expanded opportunities through our EI² and FIRST Robotics programs that deepen innovation, design, and leadership skills.
A Culture of Innovation and Creativity
AR/VR and Robotics
Embark on an exhilarating journey through the realms of augmented and virtual reality, and unleash the power of robotics to revolutionize your learning adventures.
Entrepreneurial Skills
Unlock the magic of entrepreneurial skills: the art of transforming ideas into reality and crafting a future where possibilities are limitless.
Interactive Programming
Experiential and Project Based Learning in the GCI.
Empowering the Innovators of Tomorrow
The Garner Center for Innovation is not just preparing students for the future; it’s empowering them to build it!
Discover
Discover
Curiosity is the first step to every great breakthrough
Every day is a new opportunity to explore and innovate.
Design
design
Unleash your creativity and design groundbreaking projects.
Develop
Develop
Build and refine your ideas with state-of-the-art tools.
pROGRAMS
Our Makerspaces
Advancing Learning Through Design, Technology, and Innovation
The Garner Center for Innovation exemplifies Where Innovation Meets Excellence: a place where students, educators, and the community engage deeply with the processes of design, engineering, and creative problem-solving. Comprising three state-of-the-art Makerspaces, a dedicated 3D Design Studio, a fully equipped Woodworking Shop, with time for exploring Virtual Reality, the Center provides authentic, hands-on learning experiences that inspire ingenuity and technical mastery. Within this collaborative and forward-thinking environment, students cultivate the skills, mindset, and confidence to transform ideas into tangible solutions, fostering a culture of lifelong innovation and excellence.
3D Design Studio
3D design Studio
Step into our 3D Design Studio, an innovative nexus, where creativity meets technology. Here, students are not just learners; they are pioneers venturing into the world of 3D design and printing.
Equipped with the latest software and state-of-the-art hardware, our studio is more than just a space—it’s a launchpad for imagination. Whether crafting intricate original designs or bringing school projects to life, students are empowered to push the boundaries of possibility and redefine the landscape of modern education.
It’s not just about what they create, but also about the transformative journey of creation itself.
Programming & Robotics
Robotics & Coding
Dive into the thrilling world of Programming and Robotics, where imagination meets innovation! Picture yourself crafting intricate code that breathes life into robots, enabling them to perform tasks with precision and intelligence. Whether it’s building autonomous vehicles, creating interactive robots, or developing smart home devices, the possibilities are endless. This dynamic field not only challenges your problem-solving skills but also empowers you to shape the future with groundbreaking technology. Get ready to embark on an adventure where your creativity and technical prowess can transform the world.
Laser Cutting
Laser Cutting
Creativity is unleashed with our laser cutters; where precision meets versatility! These powerful tools can transform a wide range of materials—wood, acrylic, leather, fabric, and more—into intricate designs and functional pieces. Imagine designing customized signage, an originally created airplane, or detailed architectural models with ease. Whether you’re etching detailed artwork, cutting out complex shapes, or engraving text, the Laser Cutter opens up endless possibilities for innovation. From prototyping new products to creating unique home decor, laser cutting empowers you to bring your most ambitious ideas to life with unparalleled accuracy and finesse.
Vinyl Cutting
Vinyl Cutting
Vinyl cutting is a versatile and engaging tool that can revolutionize education by bringing creativity and hands-on learning into the class curriculum. With vinyl cutters, students can design and produce custom decals, stickers, and labels, enhancing their projects and presentations with professional-quality visuals. This technology can be used across various subjects: in art classes for creating intricate designs, in science for labeling lab equipment, or in geography for making detailed maps. Vinyl cutting also supports STEM education by allowing students to explore design thinking and engineering principles as they create prototypes and models. Additionally, it fosters collaboration and problem-solving skills, as students work together on projects that require precision and creativity. By integrating vinyl cutting into the curriculum, educators inspire students to think outside the box and bring their ideas to life in tangible, exciting ways.
Woodshop
Woodshop
The Woodshop in the Garner Center for Innovation is a dynamic space where students can unleash their creativity and develop practical skills. Here, learners engage in hands-on projects that range from basic woodworking techniques to advanced carpentry and furniture making. They can design and build their own creations, learning to use tools like saws, drills, and sanders safely and effectively. The Woodshop also fosters collaboration, as students often work in teams to tackle complex projects, enhancing their problem-solving and teamwork abilities. Additionally, the integration of technology, such as laser cutters, which allows students to merge traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation, preparing them for future careers in design, engineering, and manufacturing. This immersive environment not only builds technical skills but also instills a sense of accomplishment and confidence in students as they see their ideas come to life.
Jessica joined the Miami Country Day School faculty as a Grade 3 teacher in 2019. She grew up in Connecticut with her three sisters. Jessica has been in education since 2010. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Masters of Arts in Teaching from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut. She holds an elementary education teaching certification in both Connecticut and Florida. Jessica has always been passionate about education. She strives to create a caring classroom community where all her students feel welcome and become involved in the learning process. She inspires to grow as a children’s book author. She began her journey as an author in December 2018 when she became a co-author of her first children’s book, The Skunk Who Lost His Stink. Her dream is to spread social emotional lessons to children around the world with her teaching and writing. She believes it is important to show all of her students that anything is possible and that life is a journey. In her spare time, Jessica enjoys writing, learning to speak Spanish, attending Zumba and salsa dance lessons, and spending quality time with her family, friends, and of course her two dogs.
asburyj@miamicountryday.org 
