LSI and FSU InSPIRE Return to the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast Offering Free Professional Learning Courses for K-12 Teachers this Summer
Tallahassee, Fla. – For the third summer, the team leading educational and workforce development and STEM outreach on the FSU InSPIRE project at Florida State University’s Learning Systems Institute (LSI) will be conducting free professional learning courses for Northwest Florida Gulf Coast K-12 teachers. This is the second year these courses will be held in local school districts and partner state colleges.
The staff from the Florida Center for Research in STEM (FCR-STEM) at LSI will conduct eight workshops at five locations throughout the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast. This year, two courses will be offered: AI101: Engaging K-12 Students Using AI-Powered Instruction and AI102: Leveraging AI Prompt Engineering for Engineering Design Pedagogy. The learning courses include field trip experiences and panel discussions from experts in engineering, manufacturing and economic development.
“We are thrilled to be returning to the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast again this summer,” said InSPIRE’s Director Education and Workforce Talent Carrie Meyers. “Last year, we had a tremendous response from educators in the area, and we filled seven sessions. This year, we are focusing on AI and have added an eighth session in hopes of accommodating as any educators as possible who want to be involved in this amazing program from FSU InSPIRE.”
AI101: Engaging K-12 Students Using AI-Powered Instruction gives teachers a modern, hands-on professional learning experience focused on AI foundations, prompt engineering, durable skills, and classroom-ready STEM resource design. Through collaboration with FSU faculty and industry experts, participants learn to co-design standards-aligned curriculum with AI, strengthen critical thinking, and connect instruction to future workforce needs. Educators can also earn Microsoft PowerPoint and AI Foundations certifications, along with a $700 stipend upon successful completion.
For teachers that started the AI Pathway in past years, AI102: Leveraging AI Prompt Engineering for Engineering Design Pedagogy helps K-12 educators to continue their journey and build the skills to co-design open-ended engineering lessons with AI while strengthening instructional design with Microsoft Word. As the second course in the InSPIRE AI Pathway, this research-based professional learning experience prepares teachers to apply prompt engineering, model eliciting activities, and responsible AI practices to create high-quality, workforce-connected STEM instruction. Participants can earn an industry credential in Microsoft Office Word, a 35-hour FSU and Microsoft certificate in AI Prompt Engineering, and a $700 stipend upon successful completion.
“These professional learning courses are designed specifically for teachers who want to experience a fresh, modern approach designed to enrich their knowledge and teaching journey,” said LSI’s Director of STEM Outreach James Reynolds. “Attendees will discover the foundations of AI and explore how integrating these advancements can transform their educational practices. They will also be at the forefront of driving long-term, meaningful change for your students and families, as an InSPIREd teacher.”
The professional learning courses begin June 1-5 with AI101 at Franklin County Schools, Eastpoint. The second session will be AI101 again and will run June 15-19 at Walton County Schools in DeFuniak Springs. Both AI101 and AI102 will be offered at each location during the final three weeks. Courses will be offered at Pensacola State College, Pensacola (June 22-26), Bay County Schools, Panama City Beach (July 6-10) and Northwest Florida State College, Niceville (July 13-17). To register, please visit https://www.cpalms.org/inspire/aicourses.aspx.
FSU's InSPIRE project is a 10-year $400M initiative led by the President, VP of Research, and the Office of the Provost, in partnership with FSU Office of Research, College of Engineering and Learning Systems Institute (LSI). The project aims to expand the economic development of the panhandle’s Gulf Coast counties through building infrastructure and educational opportunities focused on advanced manufacturing and aerospace engineering and launched with an initial grant from Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., a nonprofit that oversees funds recovered by the Florida attorney general for economic damages from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
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.