SAM Labs Launches FRST Platform to Transform Skills Assessment in K-12 STEAM Education

Tracking student progress in STEAM education has long challenged educators, with traditional assessment methods often failing to capture the full spectrum of skills students develop through hands-on learning experiences. Research consistently shows that STEAM programs build critical 21st-century competencies like collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and communication, yet measuring these multifaceted skills remains complex. Many teachers struggle to document student growth effectively, while district administrators need concrete data to justify program investments and demonstrate impact at scale.

SAM Labs is addressing this critical gap with the launch of FRST, a comprehensive platform designed specifically to track and measure students' skills development across K-12 STEAM and coding programs. FRST provides educators with unprecedented visibility into student progress, enabling teachers to identify learning gaps, personalize instruction, and celebrate achievements in real-time. The platform captures both technical coding skills and broader competencies developed through SAM Labs' hands-on learning experiences, from problem-solving with SAM Blocks to collaborative project work in SAM Studio. District administrators can finally access the concrete data they need to demonstrate program effectiveness and make informed decisions about STEAM education investments.

The impact extends far beyond data collection. FRST empowers teachers to shift from intuition-based to evidence-based instruction, ensuring every student receives the support they need to thrive. By making skills progression visible and measurable, SAM Labs is helping educators build confidence in their STEAM programs while providing students with clear pathways for growth. This comprehensive approach to assessment supports deeper learning experiences that prepare students for future academic and career success.

With FRST, SAM Labs continues its mission to equip 100 million students with computational thinking skills, ensuring educators have the tools they need to track progress and maximize every student's potential in STEAM education.