Industry News
Alchemie Earns $1 Million Grant for Accessible Learning for STEM
By eLearning Inside
July 14, 2022
Alchemie, an educational technology company based in Troy, Michigan, announced that it has received a prestigious one-million-dollar Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grant from the Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences (IES), to bring to market the Kasi Learning System. SBIR grants are awarded to startups building game-changing technologies with the potential for a positive impact on society.
Kasi is a system which uses multi-sensory augmented reality to create pathways for all students, and especially those with blindness or low vision (BLV), to explore and learn chemistry and science.
A multi-symbol learning software
The Kasi system is a web-based software application that combines tactile manipulatives with computer vision algorithms to allow the manipulatives to “talk” to students to provide guidance as students learn STEM concepts. Instead of a mouse or a touchpad, the Kasi manipulatives, embossed with braille and other symbols, provide an alternative user interface for Alchemie’s interactive learning software.
The goal is to create a learning system that is “born accessible,” and deliver accommodations for differently-abled learners as a key feature, not as an add-on to the product. Since most BLV students are more likely to receive instruction in mainstream classes, Kasi helps to build inclusiveness and confidence for BLV students and increase academic persistence in STEM courses.
“With the shift to all-digital learning tools which rely more on visual interactions, blind science students have an even more difficult time keeping up with content,” said Julia Winter, Alchemie founder. “With the STEM skills learned from tools like Kasi, BLV youngsters are more likely to have the confidence to continue on into good science-oriented careers.”
Inclusive learning approach
Through partnerships with leading education publishers, Alchemie integrates its innovative learning tools, including Kasi, into content and homework systems, creating a truly accessible learning experience for all students.
With $125,000 in additional funding from the Michigan Emerging Technology Fund, the Alchemie team plans to design and manufacture inclusive packaging and the Kasi tactile pieces in the Traverse City area of Northwest Michigan.
The Department of Education’s Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR), administered by IES, provides awards for the research and development of new, commercially viable education technology products. Known as ED/IES SBIR, the program’s goal is to grow a portfolio of scalable, research-based products that address pressing needs across topic areas in education and special education.
The Alchemie platform of interactive learning tools combines outstanding design with a game-inspired approach to present tough concepts for STEM in an innovative, engaging way. Rote memorization and multiple-choice questions are transformed into experimentation and meaningful learning with research-backed interactive technology. Alchemie’s innovative web-based learning interactives are readily integrated with existing content delivery systems to create new, accessible educational experiences for STEM.
Featured image: monkeybusinessimages, iStock.
How embarrassing for those of us with real Purdue degrees. 3rd rate kaplan clowns will not try to pretend they have a real degree, when all they got for their diploma mill crap was student debt.
Mike — you know not what you speak of, my friend. Kaplan University has been the leader in online education and learning technology for a number of years. As with all learning institutions, there are some dark moments and therefor some disgruntled students – who follow a career path to only find out that they made poorly in formed choices. The degree is as REAL and as VAID as the one you received from Purdue. The Higher Learning Commission – the SAME one that accredits YOUR degree from Purdue University, would not give them accreditation if the school did not meet or exceed their standards. Purdue University Global will adhere to the same collegiate standards as Purdue University does and probably more – considering the wild criticism people like you impose they have to be.
Kaplan is and has been a school unrealistic expectations for students! Highly upset with Kaplan because my educational purposes were not in the best interest of the school! I have outstanding balance of 53,000 only to be unable to complete my degree and too, the admission department explained to me, the school woul give me a certificate! Wth! Personally I had “no idea,” the school degree plan in child and family welfare had changed to adolescent and youth administrative! That simply means I waste money and Kaplan stole money because I would have never attended Kaplan under those measurements! I’m contacting the educational department and explain to them, the classes Kaplan charged me for were a complete waste because I did not need the classes and to think my education has been placed on because of Kaplan University! I’m taking a stand because I was not an average student, above average while attending Kaplan! All that did read will read more about me in the near future because I am going to show this school up!