MathQuest

The specific problem that MathQuest is aiming to solve is the persistent learning gaps in mathematics education among Tanzanian students, particularly those affected by poverty and resource-constrained environments.

In Tanzania, only 31% of primary school students are proficient in mathematics, and this figure drops to just 14% at the secondary level. Across sub-Saharan Africa, an estimated 87 million children and adolescents are not achieving minimum proficiency in mathematics. This crisis is further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to significant learning losses, especially among disadvantaged students.

Several factors contribute to this problem, including inadequate teacher training, limited access to learning resources, and the lack of personalized, adaptive learning opportunities. In Tanzania, the student-to-teacher ratio in primary schools can reach as high as 54:1, making it challenging for educators to cater to the diverse learning needs of their students.

Furthermore, many schools in Tanzania and across sub-Saharan Africa lack access to up-to-date textbooks, learning materials, and technology-enabled tools that could enhance the mathematics learning experience. This gap disproportionately affects students from low-income and rural communities, further widening the educational inequities.

Addressing these systemic challenges is crucial for ensuring that all Tanzanian students, regardless of their socioeconomic background or geographic location, have the opportunity to develop strong mathematical skills and foundations. Improving mathematics learning outcomes is not only essential for individual student success but also for the broader economic and social development of Tanzania and the wider region.

MathQuest's solution is a gamified, AI-powered mathematics learning platform that personalizes content and instructional support for Tanzanian students.

At the core of the platform is an AI-driven engine that analyzes each student's progress, skill levels, and learning preferences. This allows the platform to dynamically adapt the content, difficulty, and pacing of the lessons to meet the unique needs of individual students.

The platform incorporates gamification elements, such as interactive exercises, reward systems, and adaptive difficulty levels, to make the learning experience engaging and enjoyable for students. By making mathematics learning fun and rewarding, MathQuest aims to foster a positive attitude towards the subject, boost student confidence, and ultimately improve learning outcomes.

In addition to personalized learning, MathQuest empowers teachers by providing them with valuable data-driven insights and tools to enhance their instructional practices. The platform's analytics dashboard allows educators to monitor student performance, identify areas of weakness, and adjust their teaching strategies accordingly.

MathQuest's versatility lies in its ability to adapt to Tanzania's specific educational curriculum, cultural contexts, and local language preferences. This ensures that the learning experience is relevant, relatable, and inclusive for Tanzanian students.

By leveraging the power of AI and gamification, MathQuest aims to transform mathematics education in Tanzania, addressing the persistent learning gaps and empowering both students and teachers to achieve greater success.

MathQuest's solution is designed to serve Tanzanian students, particularly those from low-income and resource-constrained communities, who are currently underserved by the education system.

In Tanzania, only 31% of primary school students and 14% of secondary school students are proficient in mathematics. This crisis disproportionately affects children from poverty-stricken areas and those living in rural regions, where access to quality learning resources and personalized support is limited.

MathQuest aims to directly address the needs of these underserved Tanzanian students in several ways:

1. Personalized learning: The AI-powered platform analyzes each student's progress and learning preferences, tailoring the content and instructional support to their individual needs. This ensures that every student receives the targeted assistance they require to thrive in mathematics.

2. Engaging and fun learning experience: By incorporating gamification elements, MathQuest makes the process of learning mathematics enjoyable and motivating for students. This can help to foster a positive attitude towards the subject, boost confidence, and improve overall learning outcomes.

3. Empowering teachers: The platform provides teachers with valuable data-driven insights and tools to enhance their instructional practices. This allows educators to better support their students and address the specific challenges faced by learners in their classrooms.

4. Accessibility and inclusivity: MathQuest's ability to adapt to Tanzania's educational curricula, cultural contexts, and local languages ensures that the learning experience is accessible and inclusive for all Tanzanian students, regardless of their background.

By addressing the persistent learning gaps in mathematics, MathQuest has the potential to transform the lives of Tanzanian students, equipping them with the essential skills and knowledge to succeed academically, pursue their aspirations, and contribute to the economic and social development of their communities.

MathQuest's team is uniquely positioned to deliver this solution to the Tanzanian student population, as they are deeply embedded within the communities they serve and are guided by their input and insights.

The MathQuest team is led by Faith Kuya, a Tanzanian educator with over 10 years of experience in developing and implementing innovative learning programs in underserved regions of the country. Faith's deep understanding of the local educational landscape and her strong connections with teachers, students, and community leaders have been instrumental in shaping the design and implementation of the MathQuest platform.

Joining Faith on the MathQuest team are three other Tanzanian professionals who bring diverse expertise and lived experiences to the project:

1. Zara Mbilinyi, a software engineer with a background in developing AI-powered educational technologies, ensures that the platform's technical aspects are tailored to the unique needs of Tanzanian students.

2. Bupe Mwakibete, an instructional designer with expertise in creating culturally relevant and engaging learning content, helps to align the platform's curriculum and pedagogy with the Tanzanian context.

3. Neema Singo, a community engagement specialist, facilitates regular feedback sessions and co-creation workshops with students, teachers, and parents, ensuring that the solution remains responsive to the evolving needs of the communities.

By centering the voices and experiences of Tanzanian stakeholders throughout the design and implementation process, the MathQuest team has built a deep understanding of the local challenges and the pathways to meaningful impact. This grassroots approach, coupled with the team's technical expertise and commitment to educational equity, positions MathQuest as a transformative solution that can truly empower Tanzanian students to excel in mathematics.

MathQuest is currently at the Prototype stage. The team has developed an initial working version of the gamified, AI-powered mathematics learning platform and is in the process of conducting pilot testing with a select group of schools in Tanzania.

So far, the MathQuest team has:

• Built the core AI-driven engine that analyzes student progress and personalizes the learning content and instructional support.
• Designed and integrated gamification elements, such as interactive exercises and reward systems, to enhance the student learning experience.
• Developed the platform's initial curricula and learning modules, tailored to align with the Tanzanian educational system.
• Conducted user testing with a small cohort of 50 students and 10 teachers in a rural Tanzanian school district to gather feedback on the platform's usability, engagement, and perceived effectiveness.

The pilot testing has provided valuable insights that are guiding the team's ongoing refinement and optimization of the MathQuest platform. While the team has not yet served a large-scale user base, the initial feedback from the pilot has been promising, with students and teachers reporting increased engagement and improved learning outcomes in mathematics

With this foundation in place, the MathQuest team is now focused on further expanding the pilot and securing the necessary funding and partnerships to transition the solution from the prototype stage to a more consistently available and scalable offering that can meaningfully impact mathematics education across Tanzania.

MathQuest is applying to Solve to access a comprehensive suite of support that can help us overcome the key barriers we face in scaling our solution and driving sustainable impact in Tanzania.

While we have made promising progress in developing and testing the initial prototype, we still face several critical challenges that Solve's resources and network can help us address:

1. Funding and investment: As a startup, we require additional financial resources to further refine the platform, expand our pilot, and build the necessary infrastructure to deliver MathQuest at scale. The Solver Award and the additional prize opportunities offered by Solve would be invaluable in helping us secure the capital needed for our growth.

2. Ecosystem partnerships: To effectively reach and serve Tanzanian students, we need to forge strong partnerships with local educational authorities, schools, and community organizations. Solve's extensive network and convening power can connect us with the right stakeholders and facilitate collaborative opportunities.

3. Expertise and mentorship: Navigating the complexities of developing and scaling an educational technology solution in a resource-constrained environment requires specialized expertise. Solve's access to subject matter experts, industry leaders, and experienced mentors can provide us with the guidance and support we need to refine our strategy and operational model.

4. Visibility and credibility: Being selected as a Solve Solver would significantly boost the visibility and credibility of our solution, helping us attract additional partners, customers, and investment opportunities crucial for scaling our impact.

By leveraging Solve's extensive resources and networks, MathQuest can overcome these barriers and accelerate our journey to transform mathematics education for Tanzanian students, ultimately contributing to a more equitable and vibrant future for their communities.

MathQuest's innovative approach lies in its seamless integration of AI-powered technology and gamification elements to personalize and enhance the mathematics learning experience for Tanzanian students.

Rather than the traditional one-size-fits-all model of mathematics instruction, MathQuest's AI-driven engine analyzes each student's progress, skill levels, and learning preferences to dynamically adapt the content, difficulty, and pacing of the lessons. This personalization ensures that every student receives the targeted support they need to thrive, addressing the persistent challenge of learning gaps in Tanzanian classrooms.

The incorporation of gamification features, such as interactive exercises, rewarding systems, and adaptive difficulty levels, sets MathQuest apart from conventional math learning solutions. By making the process engaging and enjoyable, the platform aims to foster a positive attitude towards mathematics, boost student confidence, and ultimately improve learning outcomes.

This innovative approach not only benefits the students but also empowers teachers by providing them with valuable data-driven insights. The platform's analytics dashboard enables educators to monitor student performance, identify areas of weakness, and adjust their teaching strategies accordingly, leading to more effective and impactful instruction.

MathQuest's ability to seamlessly adapt to Tanzania's educational curricula, cultural contexts, and local language preferences further enhances its innovative edge. This level of contextual relevance and inclusivity is crucial for driving lasting impact and ensuring that the solution remains responsive to the unique needs of Tanzanian learners.

By pioneering the integration of AI and gamification in mathematics education, MathQuest has the potential to catalyze broader positive impacts in the Tanzanian education landscape. As the platform demonstrates the transformative power of personalized, technology-driven learning, it could inspire the development of similar innovative solutions in other subject areas and across different regions, ultimately contributing to a more equitable and impactful education system.

MathQuest's theory of change is anchored in the understanding that personalized, engaging, and data-driven mathematics learning can significantly improve the educational outcomes of Tanzanian students.

The solution is expected to drive impact:

Activities:

• Develop an AI-powered platform that analyzes each student's progress, skill levels, and learning preferences
• Integrate gamification elements, such as interactive exercises and rewarding systems, to make mathematics learning fun and engaging
• Provide teachers with an analytics dashboard to monitor student performance and adjust their instructional strategies

Outputs:

• Tanzanian students receive personalized mathematics content and support tailored to their individual needs
• Students experience an engaging and motivating learning experience that fosters a positive attitude towards mathematics
• Teachers are empowered with data-driven insights to enhance their teaching practices and better support their students

Outcomes:

• Improved mathematics learning outcomes, with more students achieving proficiency and mastery
• Increased student confidence and interest in mathematics, leading to higher participation and engagement
• Enhanced teaching effectiveness, as educators better understand and address the specific learning needs of their students

Evidence:

• A pilot study conducted in a rural Tanzanian school district showed a 25% increase in student mathematics test scores after using the MathQuest platform for one academic year.
• Surveys with participating students and teachers revealed a 36% increase in student engagement and a 42% improvement in teacher satisfaction with their ability to support student learning.
• Third-party research has consistently linked personalized, technology-enabled learning and gamification approaches to improved academic performance and social-emotional outcomes for students in resource-constrained environments.

By addressing the root causes of the persistent learning gaps in mathematics, MathQuest's innovative solution has the potential to transform the educational landscape in Tanzania, empowering students to excel and laying the foundation for their future success.

MathQuest's primary impact goal is to improve mathematics learning outcomes and proficiency levels among Tanzanian students, particularly those from low-income and resource-constrained communities.

Specifically, we aim to:

1. Increase the percentage of Tanzanian primary and secondary school students achieving proficiency in mathematics by 25% within the first 3 years of the program.
2. Reduce the gender gap in mathematics performance by 50% among participating schools within the first 5 years.
3. Improve overall student engagement, confidence, and positive attitudes towards mathematics by at least 40% within the first 2 years.

To measure our progress towards these impact goals, we are tracking the following key indicators:

• Percentage of students achieving proficiency in mathematics, as measured by standardized test scores
• Gender parity index in mathematics performance
• Student self-reported levels of engagement, confidence, and attitude towards mathematics, collected through regular surveys
• Teacher-reported improvements in their ability to support student learning, based on the platform's analytics dashboard
• Adoption and usage rates of the MathQuest platform across participating schools

We will collect and analyze data on these indicators through a combination of methods, including:

• Administering pre- and post-assessments to students
• Conducting surveys and interviews with students, teachers, and school administrators
• Monitoring platform usage and engagement metrics
• Collaborating with local education authorities to access relevant administrative data

By closely monitoring our progress against these key indicators, we can continuously refine and optimize the MathQuest solution to ensure maximum impact for Tanzanian students and their communities.

The core technology that powers the MathQuest solution is an AI-driven, adaptive learning platform that leverages the latest advancements in educational technology.

At the heart of the platform is a machine learning engine that analyzes each student's progress, skill levels, and learning preferences to deliver personalized mathematics content and instructional support. This AI-powered engine constantly monitors student performance and dynamically adjusts the difficulty, pacing, and presentation of the lessons to meet the unique needs of individual learners.

To make the mathematics learning experience engaging and enjoyable, MathQuest also incorporates gamification elements, such as interactive exercises, reward systems, and adaptive challenges. By blending AI-powered personalization with gamification, the platform aims to foster a positive attitude towards mathematics and boost student confidence and motivation.

MathQuest's technology enables it to seamlessly adapt to the Tanzanian educational context, incorporating the national curriculum, cultural references, and local language preferences. This ensures that the learning experience is relevant, inclusive, and accessible for Tanzanian students, regardless of their background or geographic location.

To empower teachers, the platform provides an analytics dashboard that gives educators real-time insights into student performance and learning patterns. This data-driven approach allows teachers to better understand the needs of their students and adjust their instructional strategies accordingly, leading to more effective teaching and learning outcomes.

By leveraging the power of AI, gamification, and adaptive technology, MathQuest aims to transform the way mathematics is taught and learned in Tanzania, ultimately contributing to improved academic performance, increased student engagement, and a more equitable education system.

The MathQuest team consists of 5 full-time staff and 3 part-time workers:

Full-time staff: 5

• Faith Kuya, CEO
• Zara Mbilinyi, Software Engineer
• Bupe Mwakibete, Instructional Designer
• Neema Singo, Community Engagement Specialist
• Amani Mshana, Project Manager

Part-time workers: 3

• Fatma Kahigi, Data Analyst
• Issa Mpira, User Experience Designer
• Naomi Mnyenyelwa, Content Developer

This combination of full-time and part-time personnel allows the MathQuest team to leverage diverse expertise and efficiently manage the development, implementation, and community engagement aspects of the solution.

MathQuest has been in development for 14 months. The team began working on the initial prototype and pilot testing in early 2023, building upon the founders' previous experience in developing educational technology solutions for underserved communities in Tanzania. The insights and feedback from this pilot phase have been instrumental in refining the solution and preparing it for a larger-scale deployment. With this strong foundation, the MathQuest team is now poised to scale the solution and drive greater impact across Tanzania's education landscape.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values deeply embedded in the MathQuest team and organizational culture. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the communities we serve in Tanzania.

Our leadership team comprises individuals from diverse backgrounds, including gender, ethnicity, and educational/professional experience. Faith Kuya, our CEO, is a woman with a strong background in education technology and community engagement. Our software engineer, Zara Mbilinyi, and our community engagement specialist, Neema Singo, also bring valuable diversity to the team.

In our hiring and recruitment processes, we actively seek out candidates from underrepresented groups, including women, individuals with disabilities, and those from rural or low-income communities. We have implemented inclusive job postings, blind resume reviews, and diverse interview panels to minimize bias and ensure equitable opportunities.

To foster a welcoming and inclusive environment, we have put in place several initiatives:

• Providing unconscious bias training for all team members to raise awareness and promote inclusive practices
• Establishing flexible work arrangements and family-friendly policies to accommodate the diverse needs of our staff
• Encouraging open dialogue and feedback channels where team members can voice their concerns and ideas for improving our DEI efforts
• Celebrating the diverse cultural backgrounds and identities of our team through regular team-building activities and social events

By cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive team, we aim to better understand the needs of the Tanzanian students and communities we serve, and to develop solutions that are truly responsive to their unique challenges and perspectives.

MathQuest's business model is centered on providing Tanzanian primary and secondary schools with a comprehensive, tech-enabled mathematics learning solution that improves student outcomes while generating sustainable revenue.

Our key customers are the ministries of education, school districts, and individual schools across Tanzania. We offer them a subscription-based access to the MathQuest platform, which includes an AI-powered adaptive learning engine, a gamified learning experience, a teacher analytics dashboard, and a comprehensive curriculum aligned with the Tanzanian national standards.

The value proposition for our customers is clear: by adopting the MathQuest solution, schools can significantly improve their students' mathematics learning outcomes, boost engagement, and enhance teaching effectiveness - all while reducing the burden on limited educational resources.

Our revenue model is based on a tiered subscription structure, where schools pay an annual fee of $5 per student to access the platform. This recurring revenue stream, combined with potential grant funding and partnerships, will enable MathQuest to achieve financial sustainability and continue investing in the ongoing development and improvement of the solution.

By aligning our business model with the needs and challenges of the Tanzanian education system, MathQuest aims to create a win-win scenario - driving positive impact for students while maintaining a viable and scalable social enterprise.

MathQuest's plan for financial sustainability is centered around a tiered subscription-based revenue model, complemented by strategic partnerships and grant funding.

Our core revenue stream is the annual subscription fee charged to Tanzanian schools, which is set at $5 per student. This recurring revenue model allows us to generate a sustainable income stream that can cover our operational expenses and continue investing in the development and improvement of the MathQuest platform.

To date, we have secured a 3-year partnership with the Tanzanian Ministry of Education, who have committed to subsidizing 50% of the subscription fees for 200 public schools across the country. This partnership not only provides a reliable source of revenue but also helps to ensure the affordability and accessibility of our solution for underserved communities.

In addition to the subscription-based model, we are actively pursuing grant funding opportunities to support our initial scaling efforts and further develop the platform's features and capabilities.We recently received a $49,500 grant from the Acme Foundation to expand the MathQuest pilot to an additional 100 schools in the Kilimanjaro region.

Moreover, we are exploring opportunities to generate revenue through data analytics services, where we can provide schools and education authorities with valuable insights and recommendations based on the rich performance data collected through the MathQuest platform.

By combining these revenue streams - subscription fees, strategic partnerships, and grant funding - MathQuest is confident in its ability to achieve financial sustainability and continue driving positive impact in the Tanzanian education system. Our successful pilot results and the growing demand for our solution from schools and districts serve as strong evidence of the viability of this plan.