K-12 AI Education

TAPS: Transformative AI-Powered Schooling

Good Samaritan Institute's initiative integrating artificial intelligence literacy and practical AI tools into kindergarten through high school education, preparing students for careers in an AI-augmented workforce.

Get Your School Involved
Program Definition

What Is TAPS?

TAPS (Transformative AI-Powered Schooling) is Good Samaritan Institute's comprehensive K-12 AI education initiative. At its core, TAPS brings artificial intelligence literacy, hands-on AI tools, and critical thinking about AI's societal impact into classrooms from kindergarten through grade 12. The program is designed to ensure all students—regardless of background or ZIP code—develop foundational AI competencies and gain exposure to AI career pathways.

Mission

TAPS aims to democratize AI education by making high-quality, age-appropriate AI literacy accessible to every K-12 student in Northwest Florida. We believe that understanding AI—how it works, where it's applied, and how to use it responsibly—is essential preparation for civic participation and economic opportunity in the 21st century.

By integrating AI concepts into existing curricula and supporting teachers with training and resources, TAPS builds a foundation for student success while cultivating the next generation of AI-literate leaders, creators, and problem-solvers.

AI Literacy for Every Student
Program Structure

How TAPS Works

TAPS operates through three integrated pillars: curriculum integration, teacher training and support, and student engagement projects. Each pillar works together to create a comprehensive AI education experience.

Curriculum Integration

TAPS provides modular curriculum units aligned with existing standards and subjects. Age-appropriate AI concepts are woven into science, mathematics, language arts, and social studies. Teachers can adopt entire units or individual lessons based on school needs and capacity.

[Implementation models in development]

Teacher Training & Support

GSI offers comprehensive professional development for educators, including AI literacy workshops, curriculum guidance, access to lesson plans and resources, ongoing mentorship, and technical support. Teachers become confident facilitators of AI learning without requiring advanced technical backgrounds.

[Training outcomes pending 2026 pilot data]

Student Engagement & Projects

TAPS engages students through hands-on, project-based learning: chatbot design challenges, ethical AI decision-making exercises, data analysis projects, and real-world problem-solving using AI tools relevant to their communities, schools, and futures.

[Project outcomes data forthcoming]

Implementation Timeline

Assessment

School Partnership & Readiness Assessment

GSI works with school leaders to understand current AI exposure, teacher capacity, student needs, and integration opportunities. We identify grade levels and subject areas best suited for initial pilot programs.

Design

Co-Design & Curriculum Customization

GSI collaborates with teachers to customize curriculum modules for the specific school context. We align AI learning objectives with existing standards and school priorities.

Training

Teacher Professional Development

GSI delivers intensive training to educators covering AI fundamentals, curriculum delivery, classroom management strategies, and access to ongoing support and resource updates.

Launch

Classroom Implementation

Teachers begin delivering TAPS curriculum with ongoing mentorship and support from GSI. Students engage in AI literacy lessons, discussions, and projects aligned to their grade level and subject.

Measure

Outcome Tracking & Continuous Improvement

GSI collects data on student learning, teacher confidence, and program impact. Feedback is used to refine curriculum, provide targeted support, and scale success across additional grades and subjects.

Education Levels

Grade Levels & Subjects

TAPS curriculum is designed to be developmentally appropriate across K-12, with learning objectives that evolve as students progress through elementary, middle, and high school.

Elementary School (K-5)

Introduction to AI concepts through creative, hands-on exploration. Students learn about everyday AI applications, basic algorithms, and how technology helps solve problems. Integration with science, math, and language arts.

  • Grade K-2: What is AI? Recognizing AI in daily life (voice assistants, recommendation systems, games)
  • Grade 3-5: How algorithms work, simple coding, data collection, and decision-making
[Curriculum examples in development]

Middle School (6-8)

Deeper exploration of AI mechanics, machine learning basics, and the societal implications of AI. Students engage with real data, explore ethical questions, and participate in structured projects. Integration with science, math, social studies, and language arts.

  • Grade 6-7: Machine learning fundamentals, training data, bias in AI systems, AI in different industries
  • Grade 8: Advanced AI applications, ethical decision-making about AI, career exploration in AI-related fields
[Project-based learning modules pending]

High School (9-12)

Advanced study of AI technologies, practical applications, and career pathways. Students build AI tools, analyze real-world datasets, engage in capstone projects, and develop competencies for AI-augmented careers. Can be integrated into computer science, math, science, social studies, and career pathway courses.

  • Grade 9-10: AI fundamentals for applied fields (environmental monitoring, civic tech, business applications)
  • Grade 11-12: Advanced AI tools, independent projects, AI ethics seminars, college and career readiness in AI-related fields
[Outcome data and student portfolio examples forthcoming]
For Schools & Teachers

For Educators

Teachers don't need to be AI experts to teach TAPS. Good Samaritan Institute provides comprehensive support to help educators confidently integrate AI literacy into their classrooms.

What GSI Provides

  • Ready-to-use curriculum: Lesson plans, activities, discussion prompts, and assessments aligned to standards
  • Teacher training: Workshops covering AI basics, pedagogy, classroom management, and hands-on experience with tools
  • Ongoing mentorship: Access to GSI educators for questions, feedback, and continuous improvement
  • Resource library: Videos, articles, dataset, tools, and examples updated regularly
  • Community: Network with other TAPS educators for sharing ideas and best practices
  • Professional development: Continued learning opportunities and certification pathways
Supporting Educators Every Step

How Schools Participate

  1. Express Interest: Contact Good Samaritan Institute and schedule an initial conversation with school leadership
  2. Assessment: GSI meets with educators to assess school readiness, identify opportunities, and define goals
  3. Partnership Agreement: Establish a customized partnership agreement defining scope, timeline, roles, and support
  4. Teacher Training: GSI provides professional development to participating teachers
  5. Ongoing Support: GSI provides mentorship, resource updates, and outcome measurement throughout the partnership
For Families

For Parents & Families

Parents play an important role in supporting their students' AI learning. Here's what you should know about TAPS and how you can help at home.

Why AI Literacy Matters

AI is reshaping every industry and profession. Students who understand AI—how it works, where it's used, and its limitations—will have a significant advantage in college and career. TAPS prepares students for futures they'll actually live in.

What to Expect at Home

Students will bring home ideas and projects about AI. You might hear about chatbots, algorithms, datasets, or ethical AI questions. These conversations are valuable! Ask your student what they learned, encourage them to think critically, and help them see AI's role in your family's life.

Supporting Your Student

Help your student explore AI in everyday life: voice assistants, recommendation feeds on social media, mapping apps, and weather prediction. Encourage curiosity. Ask questions. Model critical thinking about AI benefits and risks. Celebrate your student's AI projects and learning.

Getting Involved

Share your professional experience with AI (or lack thereof!) with your student's school. Attend TAPS family information sessions. Volunteer for student project feedback. Connect with other TAPS families. Your support makes a real difference.

Resources for Parents

GSI provides parent guides, videos, and family discussion prompts to help you understand AI literacy and support your student's learning at home. Check with your student's school for family resources and community events.

[Family resource library in development]

Questions?

Reach out to your student's teacher or school's TAPS coordinator. For broader questions, Good Samaritan Institute is happy to connect. Send inquiries to doug@goodsamaritaninstitute.org

Measuring Success

Expected Impact & Outcomes

TAPS is designed to create measurable impact across multiple dimensions: student learning, teacher capacity, school readiness, and regional workforce preparation.

[TBD]
Students Reached by 2028
[source needed]
[TBD]
Schools in TAPS Partnership
[source needed]
[TBD]
Teachers Trained
[source needed]
[TBD]
Student AI Literacy Growth
[source needed]

Success Metrics

TAPS tracks impact across multiple domains:

  • Student Outcomes: AI literacy assessments, project completion rates, student interest in AI-related careers, equitable participation across demographics
  • Teacher Outcomes: Professional development participation, confidence in teaching AI, curriculum adoption, quality of instruction
  • School Outcomes: Curriculum integration, student engagement, community awareness, workforce pipeline development
  • Regional Impact: Number of schools reached, diversity of student populations served, employer engagement, post-secondary pathway alignment
[Detailed outcome framework and baseline data in development]
Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the age range for TAPS?
TAPS serves students in kindergarten through grade 12. The curriculum and instructional approaches are developmentally appropriate for each grade level, from foundational AI awareness in elementary grades to advanced AI applications and career exploration in high school.
Do teachers need advanced AI expertise to teach TAPS?
No. TAPS is designed for educators at any technical level. GSI provides comprehensive teacher training that covers AI fundamentals, classroom pedagogy, and hands-on experience with tools. Teachers become confident facilitators of AI learning without needing advanced backgrounds in computer science or AI.
How does TAPS fit into existing school schedules and curricula?
TAPS is designed to integrate into existing structures. Curriculum modules align with science, math, language arts, and social studies standards. Schools can adopt entire units, embed lessons into existing courses, or create dedicated AI literacy courses depending on their context and capacity.
What costs are associated with TAPS?
GSI works with schools to develop sustainable partnership models. Costs vary based on school size, grade levels participating, intensity of teacher training, and implementation scope. We're committed to making AI education accessible, including exploring grant funding and shared resource models. Contact GSI to discuss options for your school.
Can schools participate in TAPS even if they have limited tech resources?
Yes. While some TAPS projects leverage AI tools and technology, the program can be adapted to different resource levels. GSI helps schools identify approaches that work within their current infrastructure and explores pathways for accessing additional resources.
How are students assessed in TAPS?
TAPS uses a mix of formative and summative assessments aligned to learning objectives. These include discussions, projects, quizzes, and performance tasks that measure AI literacy, critical thinking, and ability to apply AI concepts to real-world problems. Assessment tools are provided in curriculum materials.
Is TAPS aligned to state standards?
Yes. TAPS curriculum is designed to align with Florida standards for science, mathematics, language arts, and computer science. GSI works with schools to ensure TAPS learning objectives complement state requirements and contribute to students' overall academic progress.
Can TAPS help students explore AI careers?
Absolutely. A key goal of TAPS is exposing students to AI-related career pathways and building interest in AI fields. Middle and high school components include career exploration, mentorship opportunities, and connections to GSI's workforce development programs like the AI VoTech Pathway.
How long has TAPS been operating?
TAPS is an active initiative of Good Samaritan Institute, continuing to expand its reach in Northwest Florida schools. GSI regularly updates the program based on feedback from educators and student learning data. Interested schools can participate in pilots and provide input into curriculum development.
How can my school get started with TAPS?
Reach out to Good Samaritan Institute directly at doug@goodsamaritaninstitute.org or visit the campus. We'll schedule an initial conversation with school leaders to discuss interest, goals, and next steps. There's no pressure—we're here to help you explore TAPS and find an approach that works for your school.

Ready to Bring AI Literacy to Your School?

Good Samaritan Institute is actively partnering with K-12 schools to integrate TAPS curriculum and teacher training. Let's talk about how we can support your students, teachers, and school community.