Your Calling is Our Passion

About the Florida Conference Innovation Lab

Established in 2017 as a demonstration school on the campus of Forest Lake Academy, the Florida Conference Innovation Lab (FCIL) is a Micro School “School-Within-A-School” magnet program operated by the Florida Conference Office of Education. FLCIL uses the latest research and developments in learning science and pedagogy to educate students to serve as leaders in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. 

The lab provides both formal and informal educational experiences that cultivate within the participants the STEMCI2E (STEM + Computing, Invention, Industrial Design and Entrepreneurship) competencies (STEM Identity, STEM Resilience and STEM Foundation) needed to conduct authentic STEM research, solve social problems and launch Fourth Industrial Revolution startups.

A Laboratory School

As a Laboratory School, the lab has partnered with the Southern Union Office of Education, Southern Adventist University, Walla Walla University and Loma Linda University to serve as an education research and development center. FCIL utilizes the latest in science learning research, pedagogy and assessment to prototype authentic learning environments that will be deployed to schools throughout the Florida Conference. 

Our Approach

We utilize Personalized Competency-Based Education to educate students by developing a customized curriculum based upon the student’s passion or interest. This is achieved by:

•    Engaging Students by their unique learning profiles

•    Creating a Student-Centered Learning Environment

•    Supporting Student Agency and Voice

•    Developing Real-World Connections

Vision

To empower all students to own their learning, shape their dreams, and realize the destiny that God has for their lives.

Mission

In order to prepare students to innovate and lead in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, FCILS provides personally empowering and culturally relevant learning experiences that foster the development of the whole child. Every FCIL student demonstrates growth toward mastering academic, interpersonal, creative and professional competencies. Through engaging in personalized learning experiences and real-world projects, students become innovators and design thinkers who will create a strong economic future and contribute to social and civic well- being, both locally and globally.

Curriculum

• Mechatronics / C# Coding

• Biomechatronics/CAD

• Human Interaction Design

• Applied Robotics

• Innovation

National Technical Honor Society

The Florida Conference Innovation Lab is a member of the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS). NTHS is merit based honor society that recognizes the technical achievements of students. Students that successfully complete this course will be invited to become a member of the Florida Conference Innovation Lab’s chapter of NTHS.

Loma Linda Biomechatronics Collaboratorium

Students that have completed level 1 are invited to participate The Loma Linda University Biomechatronics Collaboratorium is a summer research program for high school students to conduct original, student-driven, STEM research projects. It was jointly developed by Loma Linda University and the Florida Conference Innovation Lab. As a participant in the program, students work alongside mentors, as colleagues, from Loma Linda University, Loma Linda Health and Loma Linda Health Interactives to complete a robust research project on topics that interest them. 

Guiding Principles

Our guiding principles are based on our core values of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the FCIL community. These values shape our community and culture and they are intrinsic to creating and inspiring FCIL future innovators.

•    God has endowed each student with unique gifts

•    Success has many faces and pathways

•    We are stewards of our community, the environment and ourselves

•    Balance is as important as outcomes

•    Setbacks are opportunities for innovation and growth

•    Our success as a whole is tied to ensuring the success of every student

•    Show up as your best self and find the joy of each day

Essential Domains of Learning: The Qualities of an Innovator

The FCIL’s vision is based upon the four qualities of an innovator and the innovator competencies that undergird each of them:

•    Strong academics: develop a mastery of academic standards.

•    Lifelong learning and citizenship: know and invest in yourself and your community.

•    Innovative thinking and action: apply academic knowledge in creative and solution-oriented ways.

•    Transformative leadership: boldly lead to address the challenges of today as a values-driven professional and citizen.