Arrow McLaren IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward may not have secured the winner’s trophy at this year’s Indianapolis 500, but he’s certainly a winner in the eyes of a group of local middle schoolers.
For Monarca Academy’s students, O’Ward stands as both a role model and a mentor. He’s been a fixture at the school for years, delivering messages of hope, positivity, and opportunity in the lead-up to the big race. This year, he teamed up with Arrow Electronics and the nonprofit N50 Project to unveil a new digital lab, opening up additional learning possibilities for the academy’s 240 students.
The lab is equipped with 20 workstations, interactive SMART boards, an AI tool, a 3D printer, a FIRST Robotics kit — allowing for the design and programming of competition-caliber robots — and a strong internet connection.
“The new STEM lab helps our students discover their passions, foster creativity, and prepare for future innovations. It’s a place where imagination meets opportunity — and that kind of access can make a real difference in their lives,” said Francisco Valdiosera, Monarca Academy’s executive director.
This lab forms a key piece of N50’s EdTech Equity Initiative, which aims to bring technology and connectivity to under-resourced communities. Arrow, alongside companies such as Intel, ApplianSys, and SMART Technologies, is helping N50 make this a reality through low-cost, sustainable, and scalable innovations.
“The lab will provide crucial education and skills training, preparing Monarca students for the workforce of the 21st-century. Access to interactive content — whether it’s coding, robotics, or responsible use of AI — can enable them to pursue future career paths that might otherwise remain closed to them without these digital skills,” said Ivey Bostrom, corporate marketing partnerships manager for Arrow.
The Monarca lab marks the second collaboration between Arrow and N50; the first was opened in a primary school in Guadalajara, Mexico, where O’Ward also played a key role. Arrow plans to collaborate with N50 to launch a total of three labs this year.
For Monarca Academy’s students, O’Ward stands as both a role model and a mentor. He’s been a fixture at the school for years, delivering messages of hope, positivity, and opportunity in the lead-up to the big race. This year, he teamed up with Arrow Electronics and the nonprofit N50 Project to unveil a new digital lab, opening up additional learning possibilities for the academy’s 240 students.
The lab is equipped with 20 workstations, interactive SMART boards, an AI tool, a 3D printer, a FIRST Robotics kit — allowing for the design and programming of competition-caliber robots — and a strong internet connection.
“The new STEM lab helps our students discover their passions, foster creativity, and prepare for future innovations. It’s a place where imagination meets opportunity — and that kind of access can make a real difference in their lives,” said Francisco Valdiosera, Monarca Academy’s executive director.
This lab forms a key piece of N50’s EdTech Equity Initiative, which aims to bring technology and connectivity to under-resourced communities. Arrow, alongside companies such as Intel, ApplianSys, and SMART Technologies, is helping N50 make this a reality through low-cost, sustainable, and scalable innovations.
“The lab will provide crucial education and skills training, preparing Monarca students for the workforce of the 21st-century. Access to interactive content — whether it’s coding, robotics, or responsible use of AI — can enable them to pursue future career paths that might otherwise remain closed to them without these digital skills,” said Ivey Bostrom, corporate marketing partnerships manager for Arrow.
The Monarca lab marks the second collaboration between Arrow and N50; the first was opened in a primary school in Guadalajara, Mexico, where O’Ward also played a key role. Arrow plans to collaborate with N50 to launch a total of three labs this year.