For 20 Years FCR-STEM Has Impacted STEM Teaching and Learning in Florida
The Florida Center for Research in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (FCR–STEM) reached an important milestone this year, celebrating its 20th anniversary.
FCR-STEM was created by the Florida Legislature and it was competitively awarded to Florida State University (FSU) in 2006. The Learning Systems Institute (LSI) has been the sole operator of FCR-STEM for the last two decades.
The mission of FCR-STEM is to help the State of Florida improve STEM teaching and learning in grades K-12 and prepare students for higher education and STEM careers in the 21st century. Through its impacts on teacher knowledge and classroom practice, FCR-STEM strives to improve student achievement, narrow achievement gaps and increase student pursuit of STEM fields.
“FCR-STEM has positively impacted STEM education in Florida’s K-12 classrooms for two decades,” said Rabieh Razzouk, director of LSI and FCR-STEM. “For 20 years, LSI team members have looked forward and innovated new systems and platforms giving Florida educators the tools to put our children in a position to capitalize on the opportunities that will be presented by the next generation of work.”
For two decades, FCR-STEM has pioneered education technologies to drive STEM learning in areas such as robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI), 3D printables, formative assessment systems, digital platforms and educational support systems for students with disabilities.
Innovations created by FCR-STEM include the CPALMS platform, developed to support K-12 education in Florida and used by millions worldwide. More than 260,000 K-12 Florida educators and approximately three million Florida students actively use CPALMS to access educational resources, information to help them teach and learn and software applications to support them throughout. During the global pandemic, CPALMS was made available worldwide, where more than 20 million students depended on the platform.
Since its inception in 2006, FCR-STEM has worked on grants funded by 44 different sponsors, been awarded more than 150 research grants totaling more than $190,000,000 and received more than 60 awards of $1,000,000 or more.
FCR-STEM has pioneered education technologies to drive STEM learning in robotics, AI, Cognitively Guided Instruction, 3D printables, formative assessment systems, digital platforms and educational support systems for students with disabilities.
MyStemKits was created at FCR-STEM and is the world's largest library of standards-driven 3D-printable kits and curriculum that focus on interdisciplinary education and nurture the skills necessary for success in the 21st century, such as creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork.
The Math Formative Assessment System (MFAS) was developed as part of the CPALMS platform. It is a K–12, research-based toolset that uncovers how students think and empowers teachers to adjust instruction for deeper understanding. MFAS tasks go beyond right-or-wrong answers to uncover students' reasoning, misconceptions and learning strategies.
FCR-STEM is one of the leaders in CGI, working on major projects both in Florida and nationally. CGI is a student-centered approach to teaching mathematics that focuses on understanding and building upon a child's natural, intuitive problem-solving processes. Instead of forcing students to use memorized algorithms, CGI teachers present real-life problems, listen to how children naturally solve them, and tailor instruction accordingly.
“FCR-STEM has had a remarkable impact on STEM education in Florida over the past 20 years,” said Vice President For Research Stacey S. Patterson. “Their researchers have consistently pioneered innovative technologies to equip our K-12 educators with the tools and resources they need to prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow’s workforce. By empowering educators, FCR-STEM ensures Florida’s students are positioned to thrive and lead in the next generation of work."
Since its inception in 2006, FCR-STEM has worked on grants funded by 44 different sponsors, including the U.S. Department of Education, Florida Department of Education, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, National Science Foundation, Office of Naval Research, Everglades Foundation and eight Florida school boards.
Over tje last 20 years, FCR-STEM has been awarded more than 150 research grants totaling more than $190,000,000. Of those grants, more than 60 have been awards of $1,000,000 or more.
ABOUT LSI
LSI strives to lead the way in creating innovative educational solutions that seamlessly connect theory with practice. Through advanced research, we develop industry-leading methods and implementation strategies to enhance systematic learning at all levels and in all environments. For more than five decades, LSI has been committed to driving measurable improvements in the performance of both individuals and organizations.