Tallahassee, FL – Florida State University and Microsoft have joined forces on an Artificial Intelligence Educator industry certification and badge. The industry certification is earned via a 35-hour training called “Engaging Elementary Students Using AI-Powered Storytelling“, which is part of the workforce and educational development component of FSU’s InSPIRE Project.

“Being able to offer our InSPIRE workshop participants the opportunity to earn an industry certification in Microsoft Office as an AI Educator is another way that our team at the Florida Center for Research in STEM (FCR-STEM) is helping educators in the Gulf Coast region attain the skills needed to educate the next generation of leaders in aerospace and advanced manufacturing,” said Rabieh Razzouk, Director of the Learning Systems Institute (LSI), which is home to FCR-STEM.

Florida State University (FSU) secured a $98.4 million grant from Triumph Gulf Coast to establish the Institute for Strategic Partnerships, Innovation, Research, and Education (InSPIRE) in eight Gulf Coast counties in Florida's Panhandle. This initiative aims to transform the region's research and development landscape by building advanced aerospace and manufacturing facilities near the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. The project will not only enhance FSU's capacity to conduct both secure and open research for aerospace and defense industries but also boost local economic growth through high-paying jobs and educational opportunities.

A significant component of InSPIRE is its educational outreach program led by LSI which aims to increase STEM knowledge and industry certifications in the region. The initiative will launch new workforce training and education programs including a focus on advanced aerospace and manufacturing sectors.  These programs are designed to equip teachers with the knowledge and skills needed to InSPIRE their students to be ready for high-demand jobs in these growing industries, ensuring a lasting impact on the community's economic and educational landscape.

LSI is at the forefront of developing innovative solutions that bridge theory and practice in education. Our experts' advanced research provides state-of-the-art methods and a clear path for implementation. For 55 years, LSI has delivered systems that measurably improve the learning and performance of organizations and individuals in Florida and worldwide.