Kenya’s BRCK, an internet generator for remote areas has been named among the top Education finalists battling to win $1 million and work with Verizon to turn their idea into a reality.
BRCK, aims to allow teachers and students access the web in the classroom regardless of their location, internet or power connectivity. BRCK was among the 1870 global submissions from 78 countries. The submissions were narrowed down to 10 finalists set to compete for the $1m prize January 2015.
Verizon’s 2014 Powerful Answers Award (PAA) aims to give an opportunity to one company to change the world through its innovation in education.
Other finalists include:
- Rugged Communications: aims to provide solar power and cellular-quality coverage to the most remote areas on the earth, bridging the education gap in some of the most underserved and remote areas of the world.
- School Yourself: A suite of authoring and analytics software personalized to each student’s needs.
- Sesame Enable: Touch-free smartphone and tablet technology that integrates games and applications to allow kids access to educational opportunities.
- Books that Grow: Downloadable eBooks that adapt to each user’s reading ability by collecting data on reading proficiency and preferences of each reader.
- Ola Mundo Messenger: A symbol-based tool for non-verbal children.
- Kiko Labs: A cognitive training softwares to help kids learn in accordance with their age group, regardless of socioeconomic class.
Student & Teacher Analytics
- Kinvolved: Aims to end chronic absenteeism among students by involving communication of teachers, guardians and family members.
- Ambition: Aim to help students determine their career early by using algorithms.
Collaboration & Gamification
- Kidhoo: A special education system for caregivers and professionals to encourage communication, collaboration and cohesive support networks for disabled individuals.