A New Era for our Innovations Department

By: Tyler Hartanov, Innovations Department Chair

With the opening of the Home of the Upper School this fall, our Innovations department introduces a fleet of new opportunities for SAAS students. 

At SAAS, we prioritize helping students stretch themselves—intellectually, creatively, and personally. Core to this is our Innovations department, with 28 diverse classes across our Middle and Upper Schools focusing on three key areas: Financial Literacy, Computational Thinking, and Entrepreneurship and Design. In every Innovations course, our students are invited to take risks, try something new, and challenge themselves in a supportive, highly collaborative environment. Our goal is to help students see themselves not just as learners, but as designers, builders, and problem-solvers. In short, we’re equipping students with a range of intellectual and practical skills so they can thrive in what’s next.

This fall, we open the doors to over 9,000 square feet of brand-new, purpose-built Innovations spaces in our new Home of the Upper School. With dedicated studios for wood, metal, and digital fabrication—including large-capacity laser cutters, a CNC machine, and full-scale metal and wood fabrication tools—students won’t be limited to theoretical designs. They’ll be building, testing, iterating, and creating the work they envision.

What excites me most is that these spaces will challenge students to navigate the design thinking process in powerful new ways. They’ll take risks, solve problems, and develop not only technical skills, but also the confidence to bring their ideas to life. For class assignments, they’ll face challenges that mirror the kinds of opportunities and decisions students will face beyond SAAS.

In all Innovations classes, students learn to navigate ambiguity, give and receive feedback, and move through failure toward better solutions. They practice empathy by designing for real people and real needs. They collaborate across disciplines. And they begin to see themselves as active contributors to the world around them. That’s why Innovations is a cornerstone of a SAAS education. It reflects and reinforces our mission: to inspire curious and compassionate thinkers. It brings to life our guiding principles by giving students the tools and trust to explore who they are, what they care about, and what they can do.

With our new building and expanded programming, we’re not just upgrading our spaces. We’re investing in our students’ ability to shape their futures. And we can’t wait to see what they build next.

Through Innovations, students gain the skills they need to approach complex problems with curiosity and creativity. Not every student will pursue a career in fabrication or design—but all will carry the lessons of building, collaborating, and solving real problems with them. They’ll remember what it felt like to take risks, create something meaningful, and know that their ideas matter. — Tyler Hartanov, Innovations Department Chair

 

What’s Next: New Courses and New Tools

Fall 2025 marks a major expansion of what’s possible in the Innovations program—not just because of the new spaces, but because of the exciting new courses we’re launching and the enhanced experiences we’re offering across the board, thanks to the expanded access to fabrication tools, collaborative studio space, and creative project possibilities. Check out some of our brand-new offerings.

Foundations in Design Thinking

All students in 9th or 10th grades will take a required Innovations course that introduces them to the full range of Entrepreneurship and Design classes at SAAS. Students will build skills in the woodshop, dive into digital fabrication, and learn how to safely and confidently use the tools available to them. They will also learn how to apply the design thinking process in multiple environments, setting the stage for deeper, more specialized projects down the road.

Metal Fabrication and Design

Offered in a state-of-the-art metal shop, this dynamic course introduces students to a variety of metal fabrication techniques, including welding, cutting, shaping, and finishing. Students will learn to design and create their own projects with tools like plasma cutters and MIG welders, focusing on safety, creativity, and skill development.

Architectural Design

Extending beyond traditional building design, this class fosters a broader understanding
of architecture’s potential to impact people’s lives. Students will research and design architecture solutions to community challenges, sketch ideas, plan spaces, and select materials while mastering 2D drafting and 3D modeling techniques. They’ll gain knowledge of design principles, the iterative process, and the art of translating ideas into tangible solutions.

Introduction to Woodworking and Design

In our expanded shop space, students will learn the fundamentals of working with wood, including understanding different types of lumber and mastering essential tools and techniques. As they work on functional, meaningful projects, they’ll engage with every step of the process, from drafting initial concepts to applying final finishes.

Prototyping with CAD and 3D Printing

Building on the skills learned in Foundations of Design Thinking, students will take their prototyping skills to the next level by learning to use CAD (Computer- Aided Design) software. Projects focus on prototyping objects that SAAS students can use, drawing on multiple engineering techniques to design them and using 3D printers and laser cutters to bring them to life. Students interested in engineering, product design, or architecture will benefit from the skills taught in this new course.