Innovation In Action

Each month, we celebrate the stories of Innovation Accelerator teachers and students making a difference across Indiana and beyond.

Sarah Ackerman: Speedway High School

Starting the Day with Passion

Every year, people tell Sarah she’s “crazy” for teaching a class before the school day even begins. What’s even crazier, she jokes, is that students would choose to get to school an hour early to join her. But what they don’t realize is that this class—zero period, also known as Innovations—is not only Sarah’s favorite part of the day, it’s also the highlight for many of her students.

The class has become the largest she teaches, with freshmen through seniors showing up at 7am to start their mornings as entrepreneurs. The excitement has spread far beyond the classroom walls. “Community leaders, teachers, and local companies know Innovations because of the energy and results our students bring. Businesses reach out to us to run innovation workshops and help them solve real problems. Leaders across Speedway are eager to come into our class at 7am to meet with our students because they can feel their excitement and see the difference they’re making.”

That impact is deeply personal, too. One student told Sarah that “zero period gave her a voice.” Public speaking had once terrified her, but now she confidently speaks with legislators, community leaders, and professionals about her business, because, as Sarah explains, “how could you not love to talk about what you created!”

So what does a morning in Innovations look like? It starts with breakfast that Sarah brings in herself. Students and Sarah share updates, sometimes led by her, sometimes by them. Then they dive into their projects, working with partners to build strong business plans and learning to adapt when roadblocks inevitably appear. By the end of the hour, students head into first period energized and focused, and teachers and classmates notice the difference. “Many of them even tell me they feel ‘off’ all day when they have to miss zero period,” Sarah shares.

For Sarah and her students, zero period isn’t crazy. It’s passion. And most of all, it’s the best way to start the day.

Diana Ulloa-Baker: Union City Jr-Sr High School

Cultivating Native Plant Gardens

When Diana Ulloa-Baker launched what was then called the *Outdoor Landscaping* project, she wasn’t sure what it would become. The work centered on the school woods—an almost-acre of land that had been part of Union City’s culture for decades. Once a bustling nature center visited by science classes, students, and athletes warming up for practice, the space fell into neglect after budget cuts and declining enrollment.
*“Unfortunately, no one had taken care of it in years,”* Diana recalls, *“so I was excited to have our students take on that responsibility.”* Over time, the effort grew into what is now known as the Native Plant Garden.
Together with another teacher, a paraprofessional, and 36 students, she began by tackling the woods head-on. The first step was clearing invasive honeysuckle, with guidance from experts at Red-tail Land Conservancy. From that foundation, the project slowly took root.

By the second semester, the students began planting seeds. Though class sizes shifted—from 36 students in the first semester down to 17 as other projects were added—the vision remained the same. Seeds germinated, flowers bloomed, and grassy areas near the woods were transformed into gardens. In its second year, the project doubled down on its mission to rehabilitate the woods, by creating a pollinator garden that could benefit both the environment and the community.

Now entering its third year, the Native Plant Garden continues to thrive thanks in part to the dedication of students like Karla J.G. and Marbella L.J., who have returned semester after semester to weed, plant, and water—even giving up their own free time in the summer to ensure the garden’s success.

Student Reflections

Marbella L.J. (translated from Spanish):

“I believe this project will have an impact on the students and it will improve over time. This project has had a positive impact by improving the environment; nature is growing and getting healthier. In the future, the project will have a great impact on the students and the community, showing how caring for the forest can improve not only the appearance of the school but also improve people's thinking, so they can take better care of the forests and learn more about nature. I returned to this project because I'd like to learn more and see how we can improve. It's a project from which I've learned a lot, and I'll continue to help in any way I can, so that future generations can learn more about nature, and how we, the people who have contributed to this project, helped, and how we achieved it.”

Karla J.G. (translated from Spanish):

“As the project progressed, I thought it would be a very long road to complete, but at the same time, I saw progress every day. Now I believe we can create much more than what we've done. Our project brings new wildlife to the school that will endure for a long time, a school with an extra beauty thanks to the flowers we've planted. It not only makes a difference to the community but also makes a general difference to the environment, providing oxygen and simultaneously aiding pollination. The students also learn new things every day about the environment and native plants. I returned to the project because I want to contribute to something that helps everyone, and also because the atmosphere we have while working on the project is very comfortable and healthy. It's also fun and interesting to spend time with the community and nature.”

John Moore: Westfield High School

The Westfield Innovation Competition Updates

At Westfield High School, innovation has moved from classroom concept to community event. Under the guidance of teacher John Moore, the school is preparing to host the Westfield Innovation Competition, a showcase designed to spark entrepreneurial thinking and give students the platform to bring their ideas to life.

The competition has already drawn strong community support. Six Hamilton County companies have already donated $12,000 in seed money, which will be awarded to student ventures ready to take the next step. The event will conclude with a finale featuring Westfield Mayor Scott Willis as keynote speaker, demonstrating how deeply the city is invested in fostering its young entrepreneurs.

By creating this platform where students can pitch, refine, and potentially fund their innovations, Moore is helping young entrepreneurs gain real-world experience while building meaningful connections with local business leaders. The competition represents a growing recognition that the best preparation for tomorrow's economy happens when students can test their ideas today.

For more details, you can read the full story featured by WISH-TV here.

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