Parametric Studio, Inc. has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research program Phase I grant for $200,000.
The grant will allow Parametric Studio to commercialize its Augmented Reality software for PreK-2 students. Parametric Studio’s research and development work will focus on AR-enabled, computer science-focused STEM games, software, kits and curriculum.
The project goal is to develop NEWTON, an engineering puzzle-based AR sandbox, designed to support PreK-2 STEM learning concepts.
Christopher Whitmer, founder and CTO of Parametric Studio, says NEWTON combines core engineering and computer science concepts with essential PreK-2nd grade curricular mathematics and science standards.
“Engineering and CS are critical skills for the 21st century and early exposure to these topics is critical for students’ future success,” Whitmer said, in an announcement. “NEWTON allows students to engage with a shared AR sandbox to design Rube Goldberg contraptions using age-appropriate engineering and programming tools that can reinforce engineering, CS, math, and science concepts to solve puzzles in AR.”
Whitmer says with the advances in new science standards and computer science education initiatives, even PreK-2 level students must learn engineering, programming and more STEM.
Brad Dwyer named Pioneer for Roboflow.AI
Local entrepreneur Brad Dwyer was named one of seven Pioneers in the organization’s most recent round of winners.
Pioneer is a contest for creative people around the world making their ideas become real. Winners get $7000, a round-trip ticket to Silicon Valley, access to world-class mentorship and more.
Dwyer won for his work on Roboflow.AI, an API for augmented reality. Roboflow grew out of Dwyer’s award-winning Sudoku solver.
Pioneer launched just over a year ago and has now funded 65 creators from 20 different countries Dwyer is the only winner from the U.S. this round to be named a Pioneer.
Agtech Demo Day set for Oct. 15
The Iowa AgriTech Accelerator will hold its third annual Demo Day for the 2019 Cohort on Tuesday, Oct. 15.
The Des Moines based accelerator is a 90-day mentor led program focused on agtech innovation.
Doors will open at 5 pm and the program will begin at 5:30 with remarks from the accelerator’s Executive Director, Nadilia Gomez, followed by keynote presentations from the five startups in the 2019 cohort about their innovations in agtech.