Smartdarasa

There is a big gap between theoretical knowledge taught in class and practical knowledge in STEM subjects. The challenges include the fact that more than 70% of schools in Africa have no laboratories or insufficient laboratory tools to provide practical knowledge supplementing concepts learned in class. Due to that, teachers have a hard time bridging between the theories and reality or the practicality of things they teach. 

Moreover, there is a rising demand for practical learning online. With the distinctive rise of e-learning, whereby teaching is undertaken remotely and on digital platforms,  practical learning from home is no exception. 

The specific problem we are addressing is the persistent gaps in learning and educational opportunities, particularly those affecting marginalized communities and learners facing poverty or displacement. Globally, 250 million children are not in school, and many more lack adequate access to quality education due to various factors such as poverty, disability, and language barriers. 

By focusing on inclusive design, assistive technologies, and community-centered approaches, we aim to empower learners with the tools and resources they need to succeed, thereby addressing the scale of the problem both locally and globally.

Our solution aims to ensure equitable access to quality education by leveraging 2D, 3D, AI, AR, and VR technologies to create inclusive learning environments, provide essential skills for learners to thrive in a rapidly changing world, and bridge the gap between formal and informal learning pathways. 

Our online and offline educational software platform is designed to bridge the STEM theory-practical learning gap for children in underserved communities. It specifically targets areas with limited or no internet access, ensuring education continues even without connectivity.

Here's how it works:

• Mobile App & Offline Content: Smartdarasa utilizes a downloadable mobile app pre-loaded with curriculum-aligned learning modules.
• Interactive Learning: The app employs 2D, 3D, AI, AR, and VR features to create an engaging and interactive learning experience for students in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).
• Focus on Accessibility: The platform is designed with inclusive features, catering to learners with various needs.
• Offline Functionality: All content and functionalities are available offline, eliminating dependence on internet connectivity.

Benefits:

• Provides access to quality education in areas with limited internet.
• Makes STEM subjects engaging and interactive through AR and multimedia.
• Promotes inclusive learning with features for diverse learners.
• Offers a scalable solution for delivering education in underserved communities.

Primary & Secondary School Students: Our primary beneficiaries are school students aged 6 to 18 years who have a hard time bridging the STEM concepts taught in class and are looking for an affordable, accessible, and easy way to understand STEM.

Educators and Teachers: Smartdarasa aims to empower educators and teachers by offering them a transformative tool for classroom instruction.

Insights into African Educational Landscape: Having studied in African schools and operated in the African landscape for over 8 years, the management team has developed profound insights into the intricacies of the educational systems, cultural nuances, and socioeconomic factors influencing the region. 

Innovation in Educational Technology: The team's collective experience extends to navigating the dynamic landscape of educational technology. With a finger on the pulse of technological advancements, the management team ensures that Smartdarasa remains at the forefront of innovation.

Diversity: The management team at Smartdarasa reflects a diverse range of backgrounds, expertise, and perspectives. The leadership team collectively possesses over 8 years of hands-on experience in the fields of technology, STEM education, finance, and business management. 

Content Customization for Various Curricula: Unlike one-size-fits-all solutions, Smartdarasa emphasizes content customization. The modular structure allows alignment with different curricula, ensuring that the educational content is not only comprehensive but also tailored to specific regional or institutional requirements.

Affordability and Inclusivity through Smartpay: Smartdarasa addresses the affordability barrier with its Smartpay feature, allowing users to pay as little as they can. This inclusivity-oriented approach ensures that economic constraints do not hinder access to quality STEM education. Many existing solutions may not offer such flexible payment options.

Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations: Drawing on their extensive networks and relationships developed over the years, the management team has successfully forged strategic partnerships and collaborations. These partnerships, such as the one with Projekt Inspire and recognition by Today Africa, amplify Smartdarasa's impact and contribute to its growth on both a local and global scale.

Through extensive beta testing in various educational settings, we have served over 10,000 students and educators through our website, and over 2,000 with the Smartdarasa app providing them with access to Smartdarasa materials and tools. Our platform has been positively received, demonstrating increased engagement and learning outcomes among users.

I am applying to Solve because I believe in the power of technology to address the persistent gaps in learning and educational opportunities worldwide. As a solution-focused platform, Solve offers a unique opportunity to connect with partners who can provide the necessary financial, technical, legal, and market support to overcome the barriers we face in scaling our solution. By leveraging Solve's extensive network and resources, we aim to accelerate the implementation of our technology-driven solution, ensuring equitable access to quality education for all, particularly marginalized communities affected by poverty or displacement. 

Unlike some competitors, we recognize the importance of localized content that aligns with diverse curricula, facilitating seamless integration into educational systems. Our emphasis on practical STEM applications, led by experts like Justine Baada, sets us apart. Furthermore, our commitment to affordability through Smartpay ensures accessibility for users with varying financial capacities, addressing a critical aspect often overlooked by some competitors.

Our solution leverages technology to address equity gaps in learning by providing tailored educational resources and tools accessible to all, particularly underserved communities affected by poverty or displacement. Through inclusive design principles, we ensure engagement and better outcomes for learners with disabilities and neurodivergent learners, ultimately benefiting all learners. By focusing on building social-emotional competencies, problem-solving skills, and literacy around new technologies such as AI, our solution equips individuals with the skills needed to thrive in both their community and a rapidly changing world. 

Impact Pathway:

• Activities:
  • Develop and distribute pre-loaded laptops with Smartdarasa software to schools in underserved communities.
  • Train teachers on using Smartdarasa effectively to complement their existing curriculum.
• Immediate Outputs:
  • Increased access to educational materials for children in underserved communities.
  • Improved teacher capacity to deliver engaging and technology-aided lessons.
• Longer-Term Outcomes:
  • Enhanced learning outcomes and knowledge retention for students.
  • Reduced learning gaps between children in different socio-economic backgrounds.
  • Development of essential skills for the 21st century, including problem-solving and critical thinking.

Our impact goals for our solution are centered around addressing equity gaps in learning and ensuring that all children, particularly those affected by poverty or displacement, have access to quality educational environments. We aim to measure our progress through several key indicators:

1. Increase in Access: Tracking the number of children who gain access to our solution and educational resources in underserved communities, focusing on areas affected by poverty or displacement.

2. Engagement and Participation: Monitoring the level of engagement and participation of learners with our solution, particularly those with disabilities and neurodivergent learners, to ensure inclusivity and better outcomes.

3. Learning Outcomes: Assessing the improvement in learning outcomes among learners using our solution, including measures of literacy, numeracy, problem-solving skills, and social-emotional competencies.

4. Community Impact: Evaluating the broader impact on communities by measuring factors such as increased community engagement in education, empowerment of educators, and support for lifelong learning.

5. Scale and Reach: Tracking the expansion and scalability of our solution to reach more learners and communities, both locally and globally, through partnerships, adoption by educational institutions, and technology-driven scale-up strategies.

Our solution leverages a diverse range of cutting-edge technologies, including 2D, 3D, artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR). Through the seamless integration of these technologies, we aim to revolutionize the educational landscape by providing engaging, interactive, and personalized learning experiences. From immersive VR simulations to AI-driven adaptive learning algorithms, our platform utilizes the latest advancements to ensure that learners receive high-quality education tailored to their individual needs. 

6 full-time, 2 part-time, and 4 contractors.

5 years

We ensure diversity within our team by actively seeking individuals from different backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. We prioritize inclusivity by creating a welcoming environment where every team member feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute. Additionally, we minimize barriers to opportunity by offering equal access to professional development, mentorship programs, and growth opportunities regardless of background or circumstances. Through ongoing training and open communication, we foster a culture of collaboration, empathy, and mutual respect, ensuring that all team members can thrive and reach their full potential.

Our initial revenue model primarily centers around the sale of Smartcards Vol 01 & 02 Kits and software services. However, our future revenue strategy entails transitioning towards a subscription-based model for our application, targeting smartphone users, and offering offline software installations for school computers. 

- Smartdarasa’s customers shall pay for the Smartdarasa platform with any amount that shall be converted to Smartdarasa’s coins. These coins shall be deducted as they utilize various Smartdarasa services and features available on our platform.

- Some users using Smartdarasa’s freemium model shall have to view ads verified by Smartdarasa. After the generation of a lot of traffic on our free website & app, organizations wanting to attract students shall custom advertise through our accessible website.

- Subscription from schools that shall want us to install the smartDarasa software in their school computer labs. Our software can also help students practice lab experiments virtually until they understand saving schools huge lab costs in practicals.

- We will launch and sell APIs that seamlessly integrate our comprehensive practical content into the platforms of other educational technology companies. This strategic initiative allows us to share our rich repository of practical learning materials.