“I want to serve millions of learners worldwide,” says STEMuli Founder/CEO Taylor Shead.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
And her Dallas-based educational technology enterprise is well on the way to doing exactly that.
As creators of the first game-based learning metaverse in the United States, STEMuli Studios serves high-school students through hands-on virtual learning experiences. The students are having fun and being creative while learning. And best of all, the program connects them to career opportunities in the lucrative STEM field.
“What success looks like, is students preparing for the job of their dreams,” Taylor explains. “‘Talent is equally distributed, but opportunity is not.'”
So, how does this work? Students create their avatars as they enter a colorful virtual world. Then they can travel around, exploring, until it’s time for class. Teachers then summon them into the virtual classroom, for lessons.
Meanwhile, part of the virtual experience is interaction with industry partners, in preparation for future STEM careers. Mentorship and job-training skills are central to the program.
Finding direction–literally
In addition, the STEMuli technology system provides copious–and customized–data for teachers. This information allows them to monitor individual students’ progress in various subjects.
And now, a new system is coming out, for the learners themselves: a “learning GPS” that lets the student determine where they are with their educational goals!
Taylor says her ultimate vision is to serve all learners: lifelong and nontraditional as well as K-12 and college students.
Taylor shared the story of STEMuli, explained how the program works and offered a preview of what’s next!
On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:
- The epiphany that led Taylor to her mission as an entrepreneur;
- How she started STEMuli, and saw it evolve;
- Taylor’s memories of the early days of her startup;
- A conversation with a student that cemented Taylor’s commitment to her calling;
- How a surprise discovery led her to seek the involvement of Fortune 500 companies;
- What students experience, in the virtual world;
- How the “learning GPS” which STEMuli will debut was developed.
- The tools available in the “STEMuli engine” for educators (and students!) to create content;
- One of Taylor’s most “fun” experiences in her creative journey with STEMuli;
- Taylor’s own “GPS” of STEMuli’s current accomplishments and the goals she’d like to reach;
- Where to connect with Taylor and STEMuli;
- What the new “learning GPS” could mean for a lifelong learner;
- How you can support her project and get involved!