Hamilton Southeastern High School has unveiled the Royals Innovation Lab, a cutting-edge student tech workspace at Launch Fishers designed to replicate a professional software development environment and connect students with real-world industry mentors. The lab, created through a Career Readiness Grant from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and TechPoint, will serve as a public hub where students in the school’s Software Development Capstone Course collaborate alongside local tech professionals on practical projects.
As the capstone experience in Indiana’s Next Level Programs of Study pathway for software development, the lab invites students who have completed foundational courses in computing principles, website and database development, and software development. This year’s capstone class, led by computer science educator Julie Alano, comprises 14 students in grades 10–12, including several who have returned for a second year of advanced study.
“Launch Fishers provides the perfect environment for students to experience authentic, project-based learning,” Alano said. “They’re surrounded by entrepreneurs and professionals who model collaboration, creativity, and innovation – skills our students need for the future workforce.”
Looking ahead, the Hamilton Southeastern district aims to develop the Innovation Lab into a student-run software company within five years, broadening opportunities for work-based learning in partnership with local tech firms such as SEP, Counterpart, and Exos. The grant also funds new technology and software for students interested in coding, cybersecurity, and digital design.
The program welcomes back two alumni mentors, Evan Sellers and Tommy Adams—both 2020 graduates—who now guide current students as volunteers. Past capstone students have achieved state and national honors, including wins in the Congressional App Challenge and Nextech CSforGood competition. Tools developed by students, like hseschedule.app and hsecourses.app, are already benefiting the HSE High School community.
Alano notes that artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed the way coding is taught, with modern programs capable of writing code themselves. She encourages her students to leverage AI for efficiency but cautions against over-reliance: “Use it to make yourself more efficient.” Teaching in the era of AI presents new challenges as educators adapt to this rapidly evolving landscape.
Among this year’s cohort, students such as John Patch, Rexford Tolle, and Turner Price trace their passion for technology back to early childhood. After graduation, they plan to pursue studies at institutions including Utah State, Georgia Tech, and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Patch, in particular, has already made an impact by developing a phone app linked to the HSE High School schedule, now widely used by students and teachers.
