The document proposes virtual holographic STEM stations for K-12 students in the US to address shortcomings in science and math proficiency. It describes the large US education market and trends towards digital learning. The solution presented is an interactive 3D holographic device that delivers STEM curriculum through observation, experimentation, expert guidance and assessment. A business model is proposed where the hardware is produced by one company and content is developed and distributed through a separate company's platform to schools and individuals. The concept aims to be validated through a controlled study comparing learning outcomes.

1. Virtual Holographic STEM Stations
for K-12 students in the U.S.

2. The Problem

3. US educational system broken
#2
cumulative spending
per K-12 student
Source: 2009 PISA Programme for the International Student Assessment

4. US educational system broken
#19 #25
K-12 science proficiency K-12 math proficiency
Source: 2009 PISA Programme for the International Student Assessment

6. The Market

7. The US Education Market
54.4M*
K-12 students in the US

8. The US Education Market
Over 135K K-12 Educational Institutions
9-12 Combined K-12
28K 15K
Post secondary
4.3K
K-8
92K
Source: US Census, Statistical abstract of the US 2012

9. Key Trends
n Digitalization of the classroom
n Computers, graphing calculators, tablets,
data projectors, interactive whiteboards
n Opening of information
n Video lessons, digital books, open
courseware
n Disintermediation
n Flipped classroom, realtime assessment,
self-paced learning, blended learning
n Budget crunch requires creative
solutions to old problems
n Expectation that EdTech will play a
significant role in solving the problem

10. Where to reach K-12 students
At School Outside Enrichment At Home
• Private schools (34K) • Extended day/ • Home Schooled
enrichment programs Students (1.5M)
• Charter schools (4.7K)
• Tech, science & • Private tutoring (~6K)
• Public schools (98.8K) children’s museums
(700)
• Personal use
• Public libraries (16.5K)

11. Today’s Solution
(How Science Is Taught Today)

12. Science Curriculum
n Science curriculum at every grade
level combines lectures, text
books & lab work
n Elementary schools use pre-
packaged science kits
n Aggregate expenditures for these
science kits are huge
n Emerging National Science
Standards the will guide
curriculum in the future

13. $1.5B
spent annually on K-8 science kits

14. Issues & Limitations
n Hands-on experiments are
challenging for teachers
n You typically get one shot at one
experiment
n There are environmental, safety &
animal welfare constraints
n Many science concepts are too
abstract or too complex for
science kits
n Video presentations of abstract
concepts are passive
n Lab experiments do not adapt to a
student’s learning needs

15. Our Proposed Solution

16. zSpace STEM Station (zSS)
An interactive, virtual holographic (3D) device which
delivers engaging K-12 STEM curriculum
>> Builds on existing zSpace technology

17. Usage Cases
Elementary School High School Science Home School
Generalist teachers expected to Since students are far removed
Lack of support for teachers to
teach all subjects and are from a physical lab and do much
fully understand ways to teach
inadequately prepared to do a of their learning online, sciences
hard-to-teach concepts.
great job with science. are tough subjects to teach.

18. Visualize
Complex Concepts
VIRTUAL Directly Interact with
Real-world Simulations
HOLOGRAPHIC
LEARNING Learn from
PLATFORM Embedded Expertise
Real-time Assessment

19. Observation Deck
n Interactive 3D view of the concept
n View simulations from any angle
n Access more detail on request
n Clarify areas of simulation by
selection
n Replaces passive videos
n Supports mastering the concepts

20. Experiment Central
n Perform highly realistic
interactive, investigations
n Explore things not possible in the
physical world
n Change variables within the same
investigation
n Provides a greater range of
activities for a concept
n Evolves or iterates based on the
student progress
n Easier for non-science teachers

21. Scientist on Call
n Embedded videos of real-world
STEM professionals
n Explanations tied to selected
concepts
n Videos tied to selected elements
of a simulation
n Answers to FAQs by students
n Easier and more engaging than
reading text

22. Whaddya Know
n Uses ongoing assessments to
deliver personalized learning
n Formative assessment prompts
students throughout observations
and activities
n Summative assessment provides
“end-of-unit” tests
n Instant teacher feedback

23. Observation Deck
VIRTUAL Experiment Central
HOLOGRAPHIC
LEARNING Scientist on Call
PLATFORM
Waddya Know

24. Broadening Accessibility
n Content and pedagogy developed
for zSpace STEM Station can be
modified, offering a simulated 3D
experience via the web to reach a
much broader audience

25. Product Ecosystem
Life Earth Physical
Biology Chemistry Physics
Content
Science
Science Science Publishers
STEM Learning Platform NewCo
Web Platform zSpace Software Platform
InfiniteZ
Any Device zSpace Hardware Device

26. Pedagogical Impact/
New Learning Environment

27. Addresses Student Challenges
Students struggle to... zSS allows students to...
make sense of static interactively experience
two-dimensional materials phenomena in three dimensions
experience phenomena in a 4th
understand dynamic processes dimension — time. Students will
when they cannot see them see processes move and change
in real time

28. Supports Emerging Standards
n Next Generation Science Standards call for students to develop
scientific practices beyond understanding scientific content
zSS support zSS support
Practice
directly indirectly
Asking questions and defining problems ✓ ✓
Developing and using models ✓✓✓ ✓
Planning and carrying out investigations ✓ ✓
Analyzing and interpreting data ✓ ✓
Using mathematics and computational thinking ✓ ✓
Constructing explanations and designing solutions ✓
Engaging in argument from evidence ✓
Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information ✓ ✓

29. A Flexible Teaching Tool
n zSS can be used to teach each level on the learning cycle:
Teachers use zSS to engage them to experience a
Engagement phenomenon.
The 3-D interface allows students to manipulate objects
Exploration and processes.
Students can use the 3-D models to create cause and
Explanation effect connections.
The platform will allow teachers to provide more
Elaboration examples in which students can experience phenomena.
Assessment build into the platform allows both self and
Evaluation formal evaluation.

30. Promotes Higher Order Thinking
n Through the ability to manipulate, dissect, rotate, take apart
and put back together, students engage more fully with content

31. Business Model

32. Leveraged investment for schools
n Partially reduces schools’ reliance
on expensive & messy science kits
that can only be used once
n zSS labs can be shared by
multiple classes; utilization likely
very high
n Content platform will grow
making hardware more valuable

33. Product Ecosystem
Use 3D holographic technology to develop and
Content Publishers sell subject-specific STEM content/curriculum
Markets and sells STEM Station, which includes
NewCo access to online curriculum store for content
distribution
Designs and manufactures general purpose
InfiniteZ zSpace device for several markets

34. Hardware - InfiniteZ
n InfiniteZ (existing for profit company) designs & manufactures
zSpace device and zSpace software platform
n Initial estimated cost to produce: $900/unit
n Price sold to NewCo: $1,071 (16% margin)
n 3D holographic technology is being developed for many uses,
STEM education being just one
n R&D spread over many product lines and customer channels
n Greater economies of scale will drive down cost to produce,
increasing margin to zSpace and/or lowering cost to schools

35. Learning Platform - NewCo
n A new venture (NewCo) will market and sell device and serve as
platform for content distribution (similar to Apple’s App Store)
n Multiple revenue sources:
n Sale of devices to schools: $1,500/unit (40% retail mark-up on cost of
$1,071 = $429/unit margin)
n Distribution platform of 3D holographic STEM content/curriculum for
use on zSpace devices: NewCo keeps 30% of content sales
n Web-based distribution of lower-res content for common devices:
various possible monetization strategies/splits with content providers
n Charge per download – priced at par with other content apps (30/70
split)
n Freemium model – content for free plus content for pay (30/70 split)
n Subscription model – monthly charge for unlimited access
(subscription fees less)
n Ad-supported – free content served with advertisements (ad
revenues less license fee, royalty, or one time payment)

36. Content Providers
n Existing or new content providers (largely for profit) will
modify and create STEM content/curriculum utilizing 3D
holographic technology
n Distributed through NewCo platform: 70/30 retained by content
developer
n Web-based distribution of lower-resolution content for common
device: various possible monetization strategies/splits with
distribution platform (NewCo)
n Charge per download – 70/30 split
n Freemium model – 70/30 split on paid content
n Subscription model – license, royalty, or one time payment
n Ad-supported – license, royalty, or one time payment

37. Validating the Concept

38. Methodology
n A sample of same age grade-school children with similar
learning styles and backgrounds will be used
n This sample will be divided randomly into three groups
n A lesson topic will be chosen that is available in zSpace, Khan
Academy and in a traditional classroom.
n Group A will be taught through zSpace using the STEM station
n Group B will be taught through the Khan Academy
n Group C will be taught in a traditional classroom
n To determine which of the three content delivery systems or
strategies were most successful, an assessment measuring
learning outcomes will be used
n The assessment will include questions that will test all six
learning objectives of the Cognitive Domain in Bloom’s
Taxonomy

39. Go-To-Market Strategy

40. Marketing
n Join key education transformation movements
n Work with foundations to fund pilots in schools and extended
day programs
n Work with private, charter and public schools to build zSS labs
into their future budgets/plans
n Seed systems in highly visible tech, science and children’s
museums
n Offer a consumer version of the device to families
n For parents: an alternative to a tutor
n For students: a much more engaging way to learn; maybe even fun
and addictive