BCPS celebrates 50 new XR headsets at Sunrise Middle School to bring immersive technology and interactive learning opportunities to students

Broward County, Florida – Broward County Public Schools is set to celebrate the arrival of new Extended Reality technology at Sunrise Middle School on Wednesday, August 26, giving students access to new tools designed to make classroom learning more immersive and interactive.

The celebration is scheduled for 10 a.m. at Sunrise Middle School, located at 1750 N.E. 14th Street in Fort Lauderdale. BCPS leadership, school administrators, staff and students are expected to take part, along with representatives from the Orange Bowl Committee, the College Football Playoff Foundation and the Broward Education Foundation.

The new technology includes 50 XR headsets that will be available to students at Sunrise Middle. The devices are designed to create immersive learning environments that can be used across different subject areas, providing another way for students to explore lessons and engage with classroom material.

The school is also receiving two specialized carts for storing, charging and sanitizing the headsets. The equipment is intended to help the school manage the technology while keeping the devices ready for student use.

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Along with the XR equipment, Sunrise Middle is receiving a refreshed Innovation Space. The area includes colorful collaborative seating designed to encourage students to work together, stay engaged and explore ideas in a more flexible learning environment.

The new technology and furniture are being provided through a multi-year grant involving the College Football Playoff Foundation and the Orange Bowl Committee, with support from the Broward Education Foundation. The initiative represents approximately $500,000 in funding and in-kind donations over five years.

The grant is designed to benefit 10 Broward County Public Schools throughout the five-year period. The initiative is now in its third year and is being coordinated by the District’s Instructional Innovation & Digital Learning Department.

Sunrise Middle is not the first BCPS school to receive XR technology through the program. Other schools that have previously benefited from the grant include Apollo Middle School, Bair Middle School, Hollywood Central Preparatory K-8, Millennium 6-12 Collegiate Academy and Silver Trail Middle School.

The program gives participating schools an opportunity to bring emerging technology into everyday learning. Instead of relying only on traditional classroom materials, students can use XR headsets to experience immersive environments connected to lessons across different content areas.

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The August 26 event will highlight the latest stage of that effort at Sunrise Middle School. Students, teachers and school leaders will have an opportunity to see the new equipment and the updated Innovation Space as the school prepares to incorporate the technology into its learning activities.

According to BCPS, the partnership is intended to provide students with hands-on learning experiences while supporting creativity and engagement.

The grant’s broader goal is to expand access to innovative educational tools across the district. By providing technology, equipment and learning spaces to participating schools, the initiative is creating additional opportunities for students to interact with lessons in new ways.

For Sunrise Middle School, the arrival of 50 XR headsets marks a significant addition to its technology resources. The accompanying storage and charging equipment, along with the refreshed Innovation Space, will support the school as it begins using the new tools.

The celebration on Wednesday will bring together district officials, community partners and the Sunrise Middle School community to mark the latest investment in technology-based education.