Zoombers: Fun and easy to understand math for everyone!

Most young people aged 10-19 who should be attending secondary school are located in low-income and lower-middle-income countries, where the investment in educational infrastructure is significantly lower, affecting both access to and the quality of education. Globally, 80% of students manage to complete primary education, but only 55% complete lower secondary. In countries facing emergencies, these numbers drop dramatically, with only 54% completing primary school and 29% expected to complete lower secondary. Regarding primary school attendance, the global absenteeism rate is 5%, rising to 18% in emergency countries (UNICEF, 2018), depriving nearly one-fifth of the population of educational opportunities, hindering their socio-economic development and skills improvement to help their country in the future.

The impact of socioeconomic conditions on students' academic performance is profound, with 88% of the poorest students performing poorly in Mathematics compared to 55% of their wealthier counterparts (IDB, 2023). This disparity is reflected in international assessments like the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), where Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) consistently rank below the global average in educational quality, resulting in an average lag of 5 years for the typical student. (IBD, 2023)

LAC has witnessed a decline in budget allocation, with only 12.9% of public expenditure directed towards education (UNESCO, 2024), where 36 out of every 100 adolescents fail to complete high school. Though dropout rates and educational lag are multifactorial issues, investment in education translates into teacher training programs, access to ICTs, and improved teaching and learning infrastructure for both educators and students. Economic factors are compounded by socioemotional challenges, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, impacting student engagement and teacher motivation. In Mexico, for instance, a staggering 67% of primary school students reported experiencing feelings of depression, stress, or difficulty forming emotional bonds (INEGI, ENAPE 2021). Similarly, in Argentina, nearly a third of youth expressed a lack of desire to return to school, citing feelings of distress and depression (UNESCO, 2021). Additionally, there has been a decline in teaching motivation among educators. In Peru, 16.2% of teachers reported symptoms of depression, 27.3% reported anxiety symptoms, and over 60% reported stress during 2020 (ENDO, 2020).

Moreover, digital competencies present a significant challenge. In Chile, Mexico, Ecuador, and Peru, 46% of teachers lack adequate digital skills, compared to 12% of OECD teachers (PIAAC, 2020). These issues persist within the broader context of the global economic slowdown, impacting families' economic well-being (World Bank, 2023).

In Mexico, access to technology is limited, with only 6.7% of primary school students having access to a tablet, 21% to a computer, and 62.8% to a smartphone, while only 64.9% have internet access. Even with access, only 19% of primary school students have access to any type of virtual learning platform. Among these, 52.9% study in private schools and 28.2% in public schools (ENAPE, 2021).

Limited tech access, insufficient teacher training infrastructure, and socioemotional needs worsen education quality, widening disparities. This hinders opportunities for economically disadvantaged students and educators.

Focusing on primary education key challenges: access, quality, and emotions influencing teachers and students. It calls for a positive approach, especially in fostering curiosity among children, aligning resources and emotions to inspire love for knowledge and mathematics. Math is emphasized for its role in informed decision-making, idea development, and advancing science and technology, crucial for societal progress and well-being.

Zoombers is a platform based on videogames interaction with artificial intelligence, made for kids between 5-13 years old, on the elementary school math curriculum based on TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics Science Study) and local ministry of education expected learning outcomes, helping the teacher to introduce, accompany, and conclude a topic in a visual, interactive, assertive, and friendly way. The videogames have power-ups that allow students to create their own learning scenario for emotional self-management, while presenting random prompts and various gameplay dynamics to let them construct correct answers in multiple ways, allowing students to feel emotionally confident and happy while learning individually or by competing and collaborating with their classmates and teachers, or with children worldwide; helping to develop emotional ties which among all said, are crucial to be eager to go further in the math-learning path. Additionally, it features a customizable avatar for students and teachers to be chosen regardless of gender, selecting characters and accessories to personalize their experience. Most of the avatars’ outfits have been suggested by the students.

Moreover, every interaction within the games is analyzed by Zoombers' Artificial Intelligence engine, which identifies unconsolidated learning, even from previous school years, and generates assignments tailored to the student's current needs to meet TIMSS global competitive standards. It also identifies students' talents, enabling teachers to support talent development effectively.

With the user-friendly interface and comprehensive student data, teachers are empowered to understand their students' learning needs, helping all students even with disabilities and neurodivergent learners.We accompany the academic institution with an educational guidance program throughout the school year to help teachers enhance teaching quality KPIs within a global academic competitiveness context and the development of strategies for the students with specific learning needs using Zoombers. We have successfully collaborated with "special education schools," yielding positive results, also have worked with public high secondary schools to help students level up academically in mathematics.

All immersed in the STEM Zoombers community, were STEM allies participate, creating teacher training events and foster joyful math learning experiences for students and even their parents. Our annual International Math Tournament in 2023 saw participation from 9,525 elementary school students across ten different countries: Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Peru, Chile, the United States, and Spain. 

Zoombers is versatile across devices. Teachers and students may log via web portal and students also may access by Zoombers's apps, even offline for schools with limited resources, where they will need to connect to internet at least once a week to sync the student and teacher portal. We look forward to deliver an offline version soon.

Zoombers helps children aged 5 to 13, as well as teachers, to foster their love for mathematics and knowledge. It achieves this through Zoombers as a platform and experiences within STEM events. Teachers can learn new skills, become tech-savvy, and explore new teaching methods, while children can engage with mathematics in a joyful manner tailored to their learning needs. The platform aligns with the math curriculum, adhering to international academic standards, and personalizes the learning experience using artificial intelligence and gamification principles, resulting in enjoyable learning.

 For teachers, the platform is highly user-friendly, aiding them in identifying the talents and needs of their students individually or in groups, and managing reports and resources to provide accurate assistance to students. Additionally, we foster emotional connections by enabling students to interact with their classmates, teachers, and children from around the world. The develop an atmosphere of trust and learning, keeping students and teachers motivated to develop their skills and pursue their dreams throughout their lives.

Students:

In elementary education, students facing math challenges due to learning gaps, infrastructure limitations, or special needs require personalized learning. We emphasize emotional support, crucial post-pandemic, to enhance social skills alongside academic growth, fostering a positive math experience in English or Spanish.

 We primarily collaborate with elementary schools in Mexico and other countries like Chile, Venezuela, Colombia, Spain, and the USA. While we work mostly with private schools, we also engage with public schools through government and social programs or directly as Zoombers. Efforts persist due to the pressing need for improved learning tools in public education.

 Impact:

Zoombers has demonstrated remarkable effectiveness among students, with 72% of schools reporting excellent utilization, covering almost all assignments. In surveys from 2022-2023, 95% of teachers noted increased student confidence and happiness in math, while 90% of students engaged enthusiastically. Additionally, 95% of teachers observed academic improvement. Notably, one school, aiming to recover pre-pandemic performance levels, surpassed expectations within a year of Zoombers implementation. Furthermore, it serves as a talent discovery tool and aids students with special learning needs, fostering recognition and emotional connections among peers.

Teachers:

 Teachers report a lack of tech skills in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). When talking to teachers in the countries where we operate within LAC, they attribute this to a lack of tech background, insufficient technical support during the introduction of certain ICT suppliers, and a lack of time to integrate these technologies correctly into their classes. As a result, they become demotivated towards technology. 

Impact:

 Teachers who responded to our 2022-2023 survey unanimously credited Zoombers with enhancing their teaching by 100%. The platform streamlines administrative tasks, allowing more time for personalized teaching strategies. We continuously refine Zoombers based on user feedback, empowering teachers to assign tailored activities effortlessly. Its intuitive interface saves time on planning, analysis, and content assignment while fostering joyful math learning through interactive engagement. Teachers are happy using Zoombers and having the information and time to work motivated in math class.

As a team, we prioritize emotional development and social bonds as the main engagement keys in the learning process. That's why active listening to teachers, academic principals, students, and parents is crucial, not only regarding the platform's user experience but also their sentiments towards math, science, and evolving trends in education, including challenges, opportunities, and economic contexts. Understanding their concerns and needs is paramount.

We've developed various programs tailored to each stakeholder, sometimes adjusting plans based on changing values. For the 2023-2024 school period, we initially planned to release concrete teaching materials. However, due to post-pandemic financial constraints preventing parents from affording usual school tuition, many opted for lower-cost schools, consequently, we pivoted to offer our new diagnostic tests as a valuable alternative for schools to present parents, piloting them this semester. We act swiftly and accordingly to meet user needs.

Addressing the emotional management of students, a key concern raised at the last school convention we attended (EDUFEST, 2024), we're focusing more on providing extra materials and hosting Zoombers' events this semester to facilitate students mingling, emotional expression, and creativity around math. Additionally, we've partnered with KidZania across all participating countries to offer schools with Zoombers a special price for accessing STEM visits. This promotes talent discovery among children, allowing them to explore professions they may be interested in. We continually explore different avenues to enhance the learning experience. 

Zoombers has touch the lives of 64,766 students and 3,081 teachers in many LAC countries, US and Spain, using the school platform, and many more in our events. Today we work with 29,389 students between Clever platform and school clients in a license paid of free license model.

This year, we are formally working on our Zoombers Scholarship Programme, where we look for schools that may have the minimum tech infrastructure needed to run the platform. The service provided is the same as any other client, including support and pedagogical assistance, free of charge. Today, we have 488 students in Mexico, and we are opening a program with nearly 105 students in Argentina.

Along with educational allies, we develop events for kids, parents, and teachers to inspire a love for STEM education and showcase new learning methods. Depending on the event, we provide didactic materials and discuss other educational technologies and platforms that emphasize the importance of engaging with STEM environments. Some of our allies include KidZania, Papalote Museo del Niño, Epic Queen, Garage Hub, Cresory, among many others. This approach has also positioned us as leaders in the Edtech community.

We have achieved to be part of SEK Lab Spain, Longevity Fund, EdLatam Alliance, European Mentors, AWS Startup Innovator. Finalists: Europe - GESAwards Jacobs Fundation. Winners: USA - ASU GSV Elite 200 in 2020 & 2022, 5 STARS EDUCATIONAL APP STORE UK, HOLON IQ 100 LATAM EDTECH in 2020 & 2022, THE NEW WORLD REPORT - Leading Innovators in EdTech 2023, Innovation & Excellence Awards - Learning Platform of the Year 2024.

Zoombers School stands out as an exceptional product, showcasing remarkable outcomes by enhancing student performance and fostering high levels of motivation in both learners and educators.

Zoombers School has been tested by 64,766 students and 3,081 teachers in Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Spain, US, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Perú, Chile and Argentina. Currently, 25,748 students are using Zoombers in a free charge model and around 4,000 students in different schools are already paid clients, giving us 100K USD in revenue during this academic cycle. These schools are found mainly in Mexico, and some others in Chile, Venezuela, Spain and USA.

We have received international awards in Latam (like Holon IQ latam 100 Edtech two times), USA (ASU GSV Elite 200 two times), Europe (GESAwards finalist in Jacobs Fundation Track, SEKLabs, and 5 starts in UK’s Educational Appstore) and more.

We received an Angel and a Seed round, summing up to $ 284K USD in total, and will start to seek a new Series A round.

We see Solve as a way to “solve” some things we would like to address in the way we operate, and also as a community where we can find likeminded people who want to have a positive impact in education. Being a little more specific:

The 9-month virtual program sounds like a great opportunity. One very interesting factor around it is the “monitoring and evaluation support to build an impact measurement practice”, since although we currently have results from schools, inner platform reports and measurements around the student’s performance, we need to formalize the way to measure the social impact. 

Another aspect of the program and from the whole Solve community that sounds great is the opportunities to connect and network, since thanks to that kind of interactions we have managed to form alliances with projects and even find solutions together.

Finally, but not least, the media exposure and conferences look promising to create awareness around the solution we have that has already changed the lives of many students, and we want it to continue helping many more; but we need them to know it exist!

So, thanks for the opportunity to be participate in this challenge and hope to see you soon!

In Zoombers, we focus on managing emotions towards a perspective of fun and joy around math learning, where technology plays a crucial role with Artificial Intelligence to guide students through their learning opportunities, but also to develop their potentials. In a gaming context with gamification elements supporting these goals in an environment where, besides learning individually, students can learn collectively, fostering emotional bonds.

And we find relevance in the following points to precisely ensure that mathematics cease to be a dogmatic / difficult and boring learning experience, and instead become a space for the development of mathematical logic thinking, but even more so for flexibility and freedom of thought.

We have achieved this in school communities in various countries with great joy, and we notice that our arguments are heard and tried to be replicated by our competitors, which pleases us because it changes the mindset from "only learning mathematics to complete the course or academically level up or feel smarter" to (our mission) "mathematics serve us to be more aware, more human, and to develop dreams; mathematics are fun and understandable for everyone.

Zoombers characters do not have a defined nationality or racial features; they are universal.

Solutions for students:

1. Identification of unconsolidated expected learnings even from previous school cycles.

2. Identification of talents in students.

3. Automatic adaptation of content to students in general and with special learning needs, e.g., autism.

4. Emotional management during learning.

5. Motivation for the love of mathematics.

6. Generation of self-confidence, self-esteem in students.

7. Development of emotional bonds with their teachers and classmates.

8. Development of trusted spaces for learning.

9. Expression of identity regardless of gender with the avatar.

For the teacher:

1. We know that the professional preparation in ICTs in Latin America and the Caribbean is deficient compared to developed countries, so by hearing the teachers we support them with a very user-friendly platform, with constant support.

2. It allows knowing the student's profile, even with special learning needs, to create strategies in the classroom.

3. At the same time, the teacher can assign personalized activities with just one click, according to what the student needs at that moment, to academically level up or accompany in the development of talents.

4. Time savings with automatic and personalized assignments by artificial intelligence, downloadable editable reports, reading student activity by date, and behavior within each game.

5. Zoombers reports allow knowing the level by mathematical topic and cognitive ability per student or group, while also knowing their position regarding other schools around the world. All reports are in real-time.

6. The teacher can gift coins, gems, and powers to their students to facilitate and enhance interaction with mathematics in Zoombers, while strengthening emotional bonds and motivating them in mathematics.

7. Playing matches with their students helps to generate a relationship of trust and learning between teacher and student.

8. Allows downloading cognitive profile reports per student to share with parents and academic directors.

9. Continuous pedagogical human support.

In the world, access to quality education and technology is difficult for many  countries, and their level of competitiveness is far from what's needed for their citizens to reach professional opportunities and help their nations thrive.

We understand that access to technology in education is vital for communicating and motivating curriculum contents. However, it's often addressed in a challenging context where even parents need to recognize its value, teachers require technological skills to use software effectively, and children must be motivated to explore math in a fun new way.

That's why our Theory of Change focuses on the following outcomes:

- Achieving globally competitive academic math results

- Increasing motivation towards math learning

- Cultivating talents

- Adapting learning methods according to students’ profiles

- Making technology accessible to teachers in a user-friendly manner

- Building social bonds between classmates and teachers to create trusted learning spaces

- Empowering teachers to develop effective learning strategies for their students

- Engaging academic principals and parents in STEM events to demonstrate that knowledge can be enjoyable and accessible.

Please refer to the link for our theory of change:

https://drive.google.com/file/...

Zoombers is a platform with Artificial Intelligence developed by us. It operates on gamification principles to help students have fun and manage emotions while learning math. It brings video games to life that analyze all user interactions, allowing personalized suggestions to uncover users' talents or address cognitive skills that may require attention, including those from previous school years.

The platform encompasses the entire math curriculum with international standards, allowing exploration in individual, collective, or competitive dynamics that help develop affective bonds with classmates and teachers worldwide.

Teachers receive real-time reports to help them understand each student and group better, enabling the development of effective strategies. They can edit assignments and assign activities specific to individual students to address talents or areas for improvement. This is particularly beneficial in groups with students with special learning needs or significant dispersion of academic levels.

Zoombers can be used on any device: computer, laptop, Chromebook, tablet, or smartphone.

With the same username and password, Zoombers can be accessed through the web portal or our two apps, available on iOS and Android:

- Zoombers: includes various dynamics for the math curriculum.
- Zoombers Multiplayer: allows students to play with friends, their teachers, and kids globally.

We use:

Aws (Amazon Web Services) Cloud native serverless technologies. 
Web Platform: Java, Spring Boot.
WebServices: Java, (AWS Lambda NodeJs, Python) 
Database: PostgreSQL, AWS DynamoDb, Redis
Architecture: Serverless Ec2 server fleet behind load balancer
Mobile App: Pixi JS App/Browser native for Interactive Game interface.

9 persons as full time staff

2 distributors part-time

In AI research and the pedagogical idea 10 years, and as the final product Zoombers 4 years.

- As partners, all decisions are made democratically, and even if the majority votes in favor but there is no consensus, instruments are proposed to give voice to all parties and provide a space for understanding and tolerance.

- When hiring someone new, there are always 2 to 3 meetings where the partners participate in one of these meetings.

- We do not discriminate against anyone for any reason.

- Salaries are considered within the market, ensuring that there is no gender pay gap.

- Our design aims to be universal and inclusive; students, regardless of their gender or preferences, can build and dress their avatar as they wish.

- Active listening to the work environment from employees or partners is very important to us; we provide spaces for expression and solution.

Some of our principles are:

- Everything is a game (which leads us to always feel like we are playing in our work, and nothing is so serious that it cannot be solved together).

- Nothing is personal (we do not judge anyone).

- Go for the "how to": have a proactive attitude.

- Non-work meetings between employees and partners once a month.

- We take care of everyone's mental health.

Zoombers is a platform and an experience where students discover their love for math and knowledge through fun learning with artificial intelligence, while teachers are empowered with tools to develop strategies and deliver tailored content to meet every student's needs, including those with special learning requirements such as autism.

Value propositions:

We provide videogames with artificial intelligence, offering personalized learning and gamification principles to help students manage their emotions while learning, creating the perfect atmosphere for confident learning.

Covering math curriculum with local education ministries and international standards (TIMSS), offering individual, collaborative, and competitive dynamics that simultaneously foster social bonds between students and their teachers.

Zoombers empowers teachers and saves time by assigning content with artificial intelligence, automatically generating download reports to understand each student and tailor strategies accordingly.

The Zoombers license includes a pedagogical support, ensuring that teachers and schools are assured that we closely monitor their results and other KPIs. If any school has any issues to address, we will assist in providing tailored content to meet their students' needs, always working closely with the teachers.

We collaborate with edtechs and other educational institutions to deliver STEM events to students, teachers, and parents. These events introduce to teachers new learning methods, access to other TICs, and make math enjoyable through fun dynamics for both students and parents. They serve as excellent motivators for students and demonstrate to parents the accessibility and simplicity of STEM education.

Business model hybrid:

Customers:

Most of our users are on a free license model, including approximately 25,748 students and 1,200 teachers. This allows us to gain insights into various markets such as Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Spain, the US, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Peru, Chile, and Argentina.

Our paid license customers consist of approximately 4,000 students across different schools, generating $100K USD in revenue during each academic cycle. These schools are predominantly located in Mexico, with some in Chile, Venezuela, Spain, and the USA. We maintain an 80% customer retention rate, and despite pandemic-related fluctuations, we have positive forecasts for financial sustainability.

Beneficiaries:

We offer free or discounted premium services to our regular customers, including public schools and the Samsung Foundation. We also collaborate directly with teachers whose students have a strong interest in math and come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Since the inception of Zoombers, we have supported these beneficiaries. Currently, through the Zoombers Scholarship program, we serve 488 students in Mexico, and we are launching a program for nearly 105 students in Argentina. Our aim is to enroll at least 2,000 students in this program during the next academic cycle.

Continuously we survey our clients and users, and also get their feedback from surveys of their own, we get the following results: 

Zoombers has demonstrated remarkable effectiveness among students, with 72% of schools reporting excellent utilization, covering almost all assignments. In surveys from 2022-2023, 95% of teachers noted increased student confidence and happiness in math, while 90% of students engaged enthusiastically. Additionally, 95% of teachers observed academic improvement.

We will continue to sell to schools and educational institutions, partnering with EdTechs, publishing houses, distributors. Our paid license customers consist of approximately 4,000 students across different schools, generating $100K USD in revenue during each academic cycle. These schools are predominantly located in Mexico, with some in Chile, Venezuela, Spain, and the USA. We maintain an 80% customer retention rate, and despite pandemic-related fluctuations, we have positive forecasts for financial sustainability.

We received an Angel and a Seed round, summing up to $ 284K USD in total, and will start to seek a new Series A round.