On Tuesday, EdTech startup STEMuli announced they will provide $3.25 million of seed money to expand the reach of the company’s “Educational Metaverse.” According to a STEMuli press release, this move will bring a 3D game-based platform to the core of classrooms.
It was designed to connect companies with K-12 students that make up the future workforce.
The company first launched in Dallas, but seed funds will expand its reach into Georgia, New York, Washington, D.C., Illinois, and California.
Seed funding is co-led by Valor Ventures and Slauson & Co., with Draper Associates also participating.
Taylor Shead, the founder and CEO of STEMuli, shared in the press release that Educational Metaverse will bring opportunities to students by mirroring the video games they play.
“We’re bringing this technology to the country’s largest urban school districts, of which [the] majority of the students are economically disadvantaged,” Shead said.
“Our vision is to improve learning outcomes by providing ALL students with an experience that rivals playing their favorite video game. The Metaverse consists of the STEMuli navigator, a GPS of learning that ensures every learner reaches their destination every time,” Shead continued. “Soon learning will be as reliable and ubiquitous as Google Maps. We are pioneering the learn-to-earn model to increase engagement, and utilizing AI to improve teacher’s productivity. The Metaverse is a game-changer for teachers and learners.”
STEMulie has been based in Dallas ISD since 2016 and was co-designed at Dallas Hybrid Prep, the first hybrid school in the state. According to the website, the startup is also partnered with Dallas College, Fort Worth ISD, and Garland ISD.
“This investment will increase performance results worldwide, and make quality education a human right for all,” Shead stated. “We would not be here today without the guidance of Jack Kelanic, Dr. Usamah Rodgers, Angie Gaylord, and Dr. Olga Romero. Thank you for supporting our innovative efforts.”
According to the STEMuli press release, Dallas Hybrid Prep currently has higher test scores than others in the district.
“STEMuli is reimagining teaching and learning at scale by integrating classrooms with the Metaverse,” Tim Draper of Draper Associates shared. “We at Draper Associates are thrilled to be part of their journey to disrupt traditional learning. It’s incredibly exciting!”
Austin Clements, the managing partner of Slauson & Co., also shared excitement for the expansion of the Educational Metaverse.
“We have seen the accelerated adoption of digital platforms in education over the last two years, but we’ve only scratched the surface of what has been enabled for remote learning,” Clements said. “STEMuli ushers in a new era of learning. Taylor and her team of educators, technologists, and game developers have built the personalized learning metaverse where students learn. We’re excited to see this expand to the rest of the country.”
A bill approved by Texas lawmakers at the beginning of the 2021-22 school year expanded funding for virtual school options in the state in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, though some community members opposed the decision.
Monty Exter from the Association of Texas Professional Educators said the organization opposes funding virtual learning, Fox 4 reported.
The Texas State Teachers Association also released a statement against the bill, saying students learn the best in classroom settings.
