New space connects students, mentors & industry partners to bring ideas to life
Submitted by HSE Schools
Hamilton Southeastern High School’s Software Development Capstone Course is launching a new era of student innovation with the opening of the Royals Innovation Lab “Where Ideas Become Code” at Launch Fishers.
Funded through the Career Readiness Grant from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE) and TechPoint, the Royals Innovation Lab will serve as a public workspace where students collaborate with industry mentors and community partners on real-world software projects.
The lab supports the Software Development Capstone Course, the culminating experience in the state’s Next Level Programs of Study (NLPS) for software development. Students must first complete courses in Principles of Computing, Website and Database Development, and Software Development before enrolling in the capstone. The class, taught by Julie Alano, currently includes 14 students in grades 10 through 12, with several returning for a second year.
“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.”
Through the five-year grant, the district is working toward transforming the Royals Innovation Lab into a student-run software company, offering meaningful Work-Based Learning (WBL) experiences in partnership with local tech firms such as SEP, Counterpart, and Exos. The funding also provides students with access to computers and software tools necessary for coding, cybersecurity, and digital design work.
Two HSE alumni, Evan Sellers (HSE Class of 2020, Rose-Hulman Class of 2024) and Tommy Adams (HSE Class of 2020, Stanford Class of 2024), now serve as volunteer mentors, returning to guide current students through app development projects. Previous capstone students have earned statewide and national recognition, including wins in the Congressional App Challenge and Nextech CSforGood competition, with student-created tools such as hseschedule.app and hsecourses.app already in use by their peers.
According to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, the Education Readiness Grants aim to strengthen partnerships between industry and local schools while expanding access to high-demand career pathways. Hamilton Southeastern Schools was one of 11 districts across the state to receive the 2025 award, totaling $70,000 in digital technology funding.
“This initiative is a powerful example of how education and industry can come together to prepare students for the careers of tomorrow,” Superintendent Pat Mapes said. “The Royals Innovation Lab reflects our district’s commitment to engaging, relevant, and authentic learning experiences aligned with our Journey of a Student vision.”
The Royals Innovation Lab at Launch Fishers will officially open its doors with a student showcase hosted by the Software Development Capstone class.
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