Submitted
2025 Global Learning Challenge

AI-Guided Early Literacy

Team Leader
Kristy Stark
MindsEmerge has designed and build a proprietary handheld learning system that harness the power of evidence-based applied behavior analysis and leverages AI to guide children through playful, engaging learning activities. Our handheld, screen-free magic wand and letter sets have embedded technology that enables ongoing assessment and individualization of learning activities to strengthen critical domains, support positive social interactions, build adult...
What is the name of your organization?
MindsEmerge
What is the name of your solution?
AI-Guided Early Literacy
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
MindsEmerge: AI-guided, tactile learning tools to strengthen early literacy, executive functioning, & social-emotional development
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Ann Arbor, MI
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
USA
What type of organization is your solution team?
For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
Eleven million students Pre-K to 3rd grade are behind in reading. Two- thirds of 3rd graders in the U.S. cannot read proficiently – that’s 2,300,000 struggling readers. These 2.3 million third graders are 4 times more likely to drop out of high school and will not be equipped for 90% of jobs. The tax revenue high school drop outs cost the U.S. economy every year is $1.8B. The problem starts when these children arrive at kindergarten a year or more behind their peers in language and pre-literacy skills. Every year, falling further behind. This places a compounding burden on teachers, principals, and district administrators in urban districts as evidenced by their admission that they feel they are failing their students. Teachers don't have enough time to meet the literacy needs of all of their students and are desperate for support. Early language and literacy is crucial for academic success in childhood and social mobility in adulthood. Especially in marginalized communities, children lack access to effective early literacy interventions, exacerbating inequities.
What is your solution?
MindsEmerge has designed and build a proprietary handheld learning system that harness the power of evidence-based applied behavior analysis and leverages AI to guide children through playful, engaging learning activities. Our handheld, screen-free magic wand and letter sets have embedded technology that enables ongoing assessment and individualization of learning activities to strengthen critical domains, support positive social interactions, build adult capabilities to boost child development, reinforce early language and literacy, and help screen and intervene for autism, dyslexia, and ADHD.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
Our goal is to improve the social mobility for all 11 million students pre-k through 3rd grade who are behind in reading in the U.S.
Solution Team:
Kristy Stark
Kristy Stark
Co-founder + CEO