Innovation Center
A Unique Path for Tomorrow’s Makers, Storytellers, Worshipers, & Leaders
Innovate Academy’s Innovation Center is the hub of Upper School creativity, collaboration, and real-world learning. Scholars gain hands-on experience, use professional tools, and undergo multi-year iLab coursework to prepare them for meaningful vocations and ambitious Culture-Maker Capstones.
A Campus with Real-World Workspaces
Innovate Academy is uniquely positioned on a shared campus with a thriving church, creative teams, a cafe, bookstore, and production departments—giving scholars unparalleled access to professional environments they can actually work in.
The Theatre and Production Booth
A fully equipped theater with professional sound, lighting, and live-streaming technology.
Upper School scholars may apprentice in:
Audio engineering
Lights & staging design
Live broadcast production
Acting and directing
Stage management
Event production
Scholars may serve on the Moment production team, gaining real industry-level experience in a mentored environment.
The Shelf Bookstore & Creative Retail Space
A dynamic environment where scholars may explore entrepreneurship through:
Merchandising
Brand storytelling
Point-of-sale systems
Customer experience
Product development
Inventory management
A perfect lab for business-minded scholars and those launching retail-based Capstones.
The Recording and Podcast Studio
A state-of-the-art studio used weekly by the church—open to scholars through internships and iLab.
Scholars may:
Produce podcasts
Record music or voiceovers with Moment Worship staff
Learn mixing & mastering
Work alongside creative professionals
Create content for their Capstone project
This is where storytellers, musicians, journalists, and creators develop real-world portfolios.
The Table Cafe & Hospitality Hub
A living classroom for:
Barista training
Customer service
Hospitality leadership
Culinary innovation
Event hosting
Scholars interested in culinary arts, nutrition, entrepreneurship, or hospitality gain hands-on practice—sometimes even selling their own products created in iLab.
iLab: A Four-Year Creative & Career-Ready Discovery Program
Begins in 9th grade. Culminates in a senior Culture-Maker Capstone.
iLab is not an elective. It’s a bespoke, four-year formation pathway that combines self-discovery, service, scholarship, innovation, entrepreneurship, and real-world creation. Scholars grow through four design-thinking stages:
-
Scholars explore who they are—gifts, passions, personality, and purpose.
They engage in:
Strengths, personality, and spiritual gift assessments
Job shadowing each Friday
Exposure trips and interviews
Brainstorming possible impact areas
Hands-on service-learning
Outcome: A personal “Culture-Maker Profile” and a list of possible fields for further study.
-
Students narrow their interest area and research a problem worth solving.
They:
Conduct market and feasibility research
Draft vision, mission, and purpose statements
Interview mentors and professionals
Build an early plan for their Capstone
Outcome: A Capstone Proposal Pitch to be approved by mentors.
-
Scholars build the prototype—whether that’s a product, business, book, album, garden, film, curriculum, or invention.
They:
Prototype
Test with users
Gather feedback
Iterate
Outcome: A working version of their project.
-
Senior year is about scaling, refining, and finalizing the Capstone—plus preparing for life after Innovate.
Students:
Polish their final product
Write an academic rationale
Prepare applications or business plans
Create public presentations
Showcase their work at a formal Capstone Showcase
Outcome: A completed Culture-Maker Capstone ready for college applications, portfolios, or launch.
Meet the Mentor
INNOVATE ACADEMY SPOTLIGHT
The Innovation Center is where Upper School scholars dream, design, build, and test their most ambitious ideas—and Dr. Mark Slider is the mentor who guides them along the way. With experience in creative development, project design, and mentorship, Dr. Slider is adept at providing expert training and coaching through each stage of the iLab discovery process: imagine, investigate, implement, and improve.
Whether your scholar is exploring early passions in grade 9 or refining a senior capstone, Dr. Slider provides a steady presence within the studios, workspaces, and professional environments across campus.
Meet with Dr. Slider to:
Brainstorm Culture-Maker Capstone ideas or refine a Culture-Maker Profile
Explore pathways in storytelling, , entrepreneurship, media, or design
Get feedback on prototypes, scripts, business plans, or creative work
Connect with internship partners or professional mentors
Plan next steps within the iLab four-year framework
Receive guidance for turning passion into meaningful impact
Scholars don’t just think about ideas—they build them. And Dr. Slider ensures they have the support they need at every stage.
Makers in Motion
Browse through innovative projects created by Innovate Academy scholars that demonstrate our core value of entrepreneurial leaders of culture.
-
![A young man with dark, wavy hair and a slight smile, wearing a light blue collared shirt with small dark polka dots, standing against a plain, light background.]()
Zachary Paulus
COMMUNITY DEVELOPER INTERN
Connecting people to purpose through service-learning initiatives.
-
![A young woman with curly dark hair, glasses, and earrings, smiling at the camera against a plain white background.]()
Mykah Mazzoli
WORSHIP ARTS INTERN
Cultivating excellent and wholehearted worship through music and tech.
-
![A young woman with long dark hair, smiling, wearing a blue hoodie with an anchor logo and the words 'MONTANA SAILING' on it, standing against a plain white background.]()
Georgia Allemeier
EDUCATION INTERN
Building a library of stories that awakens a love of reading.
