Fort Wayne Middle Schools Open New Innovation Studios

Students at two local middle schools now have access to robotics, 3D printers, and drones for hands-on learning.

Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Secondary Education

Fort Wayne Middle Schools Open New Innovation Studios

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Should your local middle schools prioritize funding for hands-on STEM and innovation labs?

Fort Wayne Community Schools has expanded its district-wide technology initiative by opening two new Design and Innovation Studios at Shawnee and Blackhawk middle schools. These labs offer students access to advanced hands-on learning tools to support design and problem-solving skills.

Why it matters

These studios provide local students with direct access to modern STEM equipment, allowing them to engage with design and engineering concepts in a classroom setting. The initiative aims to equip youth with the technical literacy required for future manufacturing and innovation fields.

The district now operates a total of 4 Design and Innovation Studios following the launch of these 2 new sites. Students in these labs can utilize specialized hardware including robotics, drones, Spheros, and 3D printers, the latter of which can produce a sample project in 30 minutes.

The players

Fort Wayne Community Schools

The local public school district managing the expansion of technology studios across its middle and elementary campuses.

Purdue University's Indiana Manufacturing Competitiveness Center

A research and development institution partnering with the district to provide technical and industrial expertise.

Cummins Inc.

A major global power and engine manufacturer that is collaborating with the school district to support technical education.

The details

The new studios function as collaborative hubs where students use 3D printers, drones, and robotics to solve technical challenges. These labs were established through a strategic partnership with Purdue University's Indiana Manufacturing Competitiveness Center and Cummins Inc. to foster hands-on engineering skills in middle school grades.

October 16, 2026: Fort Wayne Community Schools opened the new studios.

The Home Front

The expansion reflects a growing trend in regional education to prioritize STEM-focused technical labs within public middle schools. This development mirrors initiatives by local manufacturing leaders to align classroom resources with emerging industry technology requirements.

Parents with students at Shawnee or Blackhawk middle schools can check school newsletters for upcoming open houses to tour the new technology labs. Families may want to discuss the various STEM tools, such as robotics and 3D printing, to see if their student plans to pursue these electives.

The takeaway

The opening of these studios marks a broader investment in hands-on STEM resources for middle schoolers in the Fort Wayne area. Parents should monitor the school district's academic calendar for future opportunities to engage with these new technology programs.