Powering Education with Classroom Technology

July 17, 2025

In today's tech-driven educational landscape, schools face the dual challenge of integrating digital devices while maintaining focused learning environments. Da Vinci Schools in El Segundo, California has found an innovative solution through their partnership with Belkin International, addressing the complex demands of classroom technology management with the Store and Charge station.

A white multi-device charging station with vertical slots, holding several smartphones connected with charging cables, placed on a small table against a purple and white wall.

The Partnership: Innovation Meets Education

Da Vinci Schools, located in El Segundo, CA, serves more than 2,700 K-12 students and has been delivering innovative, project-based learning since 2009. Through enduring partnerships with industry leaders such as Belkin, Da Vinci prepares students for college, career and life.

Meanwhile, Belkin International has spent over 40 years as a leader in electronics accessories, delivering mobile power and connectivity solutions worldwide. Designed in Southern California, their products empower people through technology at home, work and beyond.

Two individuals seated at a conference table in discussion; the man in the foreground wears glasses and a Da Vinci Schools jacket, gesturing as he speaks, while the woman in the background listens attentively.

"For years, Belkin has been a major educational partner of ours. We know their products are trustworthy, reliable and innovative because we've watched them evolve and adapt over the years."

— Vincent Bravo, Chief Administrative Officer/Assistant Superintendent, Da Vinci Schools

The Challenge: Managing Technology in an Open-Device Environment

Da Vinci's distinctive open-device policy in the classroom creates a flexible learning environment, but introduces unique challenges. "Some people started using extension cords in creative ways, so we wanted to find the right charging product to make sure everything was done in a much more organized way," relates Nancy Banuelos, Da Vinci Schools Administrative Assistant. "With multiple cables looking like a bird's nest, we needed a solution that would help clean things up and make it safer."

Other challenges included:

Ensuring all devices remain charged throughout the school day
Supporting collaboration across various digital platforms
Managing the technical complexity of different charging standards (USB-C, Thunderbolt)
Accommodating legacy and modern devices
Maintaining an orderly classroom environment

A student unplugs a smartphone from a multi-device charging station on a blue countertop. The station has several phones charging in individual slots, and a sign on the wall nearby promotes ordering a yearbook.

A wall-mounted Belkin charging station with multiple vertical slots and several white charging cables hanging from the front. The unit is placed next to a colorful mural featuring flowers and a partially visible person.

Store and Charge makes the grade

Belkin's Store and Charge station proved to be the perfect solution — a sleek, compact station capable of charging up to 10 different devices simultaneously. Its classroom-friendly features include wide-angle slots for storing and charging, space for labeling student tablets and support for most laptops and Chromebooks up to 13 inches. "We use Store and Charge devices to keep the students charged and ready throughout the day and connected so they can collaborate," says Da Vinci Schools Chief Administrative Officer/Assistant Superintendent Vicente Bravo.

Administrative and IT Advantages

From a management perspective, the Store and Charge stations have been transformative. Bravo is impressed with their versatility: "We're using the Store and Charge primarily for shared spaces and big events, and when we have a lot of parents or visitors on campus who need to plug in and recharge they have something accessible and ready to go,” he says. “Some of our front offices implemented these makeshift stations where they were charging phones for the kids, and we thought about using them in meeting rooms, because they're used by staff and students alike."

The stations offer numerous administrative benefits:

Space efficiency: The Store and Charge is more personal compared to a storage cart that takes up a lot of space, and it reduces clutter
Ease of use: They're simple to set up, and are literally plug and play
Versatile placement: If needed, the Store and Charge can wall mount and it looks clean and compact compared to bulky systems
Universal compatibility: Universal adaptability is a plus when students are using different tech and types of platforms

Technical Features That Make a Difference

The Store and Charge stations include several key features that address specific classroom needs:

Storage and charging for up to 10 devices, including laptops, tablets, and Chromebooks and mobile phones
Compatibility with devices and cases up to 13" diagonal and 1.18" thick
Built-in cable management to minimize tangles and clutter
Open setup for easy access and wireless syncing
Secure mounting features for tables or AV carts
AC/USB compatibility
Surge-protected power source

A Lasting Educational Partnership

As schools nationwide navigate the complexities of technology management in educational settings, the Da Vinci-Belkin partnership offers a compelling model of how the right tools can transform potential challenges into opportunities for enhanced learning and collaboration.