“ To seek, secure and distribute resources in support of improving educational opportunities and student achievement in K-16 settings and enhancing community well-being. ”
Turning Technologies, LLC has established the Turning Foundation - a separate non-profit 501(c)3 organization. The mission of the foundation is... "To seek, secure and distribute resources in support of improving educational opportunities and student achievement in K-16 settings and enhancing community well-being." The main focus of our foundation will be to support efforts locally to enhance and improve education for all and with supports also directed toward the community in general. We will also work to connect our efforts locally to a broader national education and community development agenda. We hope to help facilitate the connections between education and community well-being, here in the greater Mahoning valley and nationally.
The Youngstown Business Incubator (YBI), Turning Technologies and Turning Foundation, have chosen two winners for the first-annual Ed Tech Idea Challenge. A total of 33 applications were received from around the country. Eight applicants who were chosen to submit responses for the second round of the process and out of the eight applicants; four were selected to make presentations to a selection committee. The presentations yielded two winners whose ideas were selected to receive awards.
Branching Minds (New York City, NY)
Branching Minds will receive the $20,000 grant award along with guidance and support from the selection committee. They plan to create an online tool and mobile application that will help parents and educators to assess and identify a child’s individual learning needs, and then connect users to strategies and high-quality services that will address these learning difficulties. The model for Branching Minds’ technology platform is conceptually based on the popular WebMD Symptom Checker and will help provide a similar informal diagnosis of learning challenges and suggest strategies tailored for individual users.
Adaptive Learning System for Students with Autism (Youngstown, OH)
Adaptive Learning System for Students with Autism (ALSS-A) has been invited to apply as a portfolio company with the Youngstown Business Incubator and potentially can receive supports and resources directly from YBI to develop their business. ALSS-A was collaboratively developed by The Rich Center for Autism and faculty from Youngstown State University and DePaul University. The software application is designed to facilitate the collection, analysis and representation of data for improving student learning, and end user selection of appropriate practices and interventions to address student specific learning needs and preferences. The ALSS-A system will assist in the development of teaching and learning activities that are based on student performance and needs, making data-informed instructional decisions a reality for educators, parents and service providers working with children with autism.
Congratulations to the winners and thank you all for making this year's Ed Tech Idea Challenge a success!
View the press release here.
The Turning Foundation is currently seeking donations to support K-16 educational opportunities and community projects for the tri-county area. Learn More>>