INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Students at Monarca Academy have a new digital lab, thanks to help from IndyCar team Arrow McLaren.

The new digital lab gives Monarca students hands-on access to cutting-edge tools, and they got a surprise visit from driver Pato O’Ward to help launch it.

“It’s really cool to be a part of this amazing project that’s going to enhance their lives really,” O’Ward said. “It’s going to make it better and more efficient in many different ways.”

Inside Monarca Academy, learning just hit a new gear. A new digital lab complete with artificial intelligence tools, 3D printers, 20 workstations, robotics kits and high-speed internet, is already making a big impression on students.

“It’s going to take creativity further,” said Alexa Constant, a graduating student at Monarca Academy. “It’s going to make them do better things.”

The lab is a gift from Arrow Electronics and The N50 Project, which aims to bridge the digital divide in underserved communities. O’Ward, a front row starter in this year’s race, has built a bond with the school over the last few years.

O’Ward took questions, signed autographs, explored the lab, and even raced students with their own robots they built.

“I’m competitive for sure, especially if it’s something to do with race cars, or little cars,” O’Ward said. “It’s just cool to do these activities, and they’re also fun for me. This is pretty impressive what they’ve been able to do with these cars. I mean, I would’ve never been able to do that.”

“It felt good because I got to race somebody famous and I won the race, and I never expected him to come here. So, it means a lot,” said Brandon Interiano, a 7th grade student at Monarca Academy.

Monarca Academy also unveiled a mural honoring O’Ward as a Hispanic role model for the nearly 300 students at the school.

For students, the lab is more than just equipment, it’s a launchpad for their life too,” Interiano said. “I still don’t know what I want to do yet, but probably work on cars or be a motorcars driver.”

O’Ward left with a piece of advice for the kids who look up to him and his career.

“Be ready to sacrifice everything for it, but if you live, breathe and sleep it, and you love it, and you believe in your talent and what you do, doors will open to opportunities,” O’Ward said.

The school, which is near the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, has an ongoing partnership with the IndyCar team, and hopes to expand on that bond in the future.

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