kajeet, Hot Lava & Kauffman Reach out to Kids

NEWS RELEASE

 

For Immediate Release

 

Contacts:

 

Joy Torchia, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
816-932-1045

 

Heather A. Katz, Ph.D., Hot Lava Software, Inc.
540-428-2988

 

Barbara Walls, Hot Lava Software, Inc.
540-428-2988

 

WASHINGTON, DC (August 27, 2008)—On July 1, 2008, kajeet, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, and Hot Lava Software, Inc. began to impact the way that youth learn about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The Sports Bytes Competition allows youth to learn about the science behind sports via their mobile phones. Sports Bytes focuses on popular sports through “brain-teaser” questions that allow users to relate STEM concepts to real world contexts. Questions involving baseball will challenge the user to determine whether a professional batter can decide to swing literally in a blink of an eye. Other featured sports are soccer, cycling, and swimming, which provide practical application to STEM concepts.

 

kajeet is the only pay-as-you-go cell phone service that puts kids first while simultaneously empowering them and keeping them safe—facilitating them to respond with confidence to what’s happening in their world. “We are capitalizing on young fans’ love for cell phones by using them as a learning tool,” said Merrilea J. Mayo, Ph.D., Director, Future of Learning Initiatives for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. “This new competition allows us to reach and inspire kids in a unique way. Our hope is that they learn how exciting science can be and potentially explore a career in the field.”

 

Powered by Hot Lava Software’s Mobile Delivery and Tracking System (MDTS), kajeet users can access Sports Bytes from their kajeet phone deck menu.  After answering a STEM question they are rewarded with free Sports Bytes themed wallpapers for their mobile phones.

 

Since July 1, 2008, the global Sports Bytes Competition has gone beyond kajeet users to engage thousands of people within Africa,  Asia, Europe and North America. As of August 15, the promotion has over 130,000 registered users and over 40,000 users who have answered one or more questions about the science behind sports.  

 

To participate in the Sports Bytes Competition right now, text sport to 83960 or text your answer to the question below to 83960.

 

A pro batter decides to swing in a blink of an eye?

 

• Text “sporta” for TRUE to 83960
• Text “sportb” for FALSE to 83960
• Or click here to enter your response

About Hot Lava Software, Inc.

 

Hot Lava Software, Inc. is the leading provider of mobile authoring, publishing, delivery and tracking solutions. Using Hot Lava Software’s content development and publishing system (LMA) integrated with the Hot Lava Mobile Delivery and Tracking System^TM (MDTS) allows organizations to have the tools and knowledge needed to launch and track mobile initiatives faster, with more cost efficiency. Hot Lava Software provides mobile content solutions and design, as well as authoring and publishing solutions to corporations, governments and universities around the world. More information is available at www.hotlavasoftware.com.

 

About the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

 

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a private nonpartisan foundation that works to harness the power of entrepreneurship and innovation to grow economies and improve human welfare. Through its research and other initiatives, the Kauffman Foundation aims to open young people’s eyes to the possibility of entrepreneurship, promote entrepreneurship education, raise awareness of entrepreneurship-friendly policies, and find alternative pathways for the commercialization of new knowledge and technologies. It also works to prepare students to be innovators, entrepreneurs and skilled workers in the 21st century economy through initiatives designed to improve learning in math, engineering, science and technology. Founded by the late entrepreneur and philanthropist, Ewing Marion Kauffman, the Foundation is based in Kansas City, Mo.  More information is available at www.kauffman.org.  

Mobile Learning Proves Successful to Teach over 100,000 Global Sports Fans

NEWS RELEASE

 

For Immediate Release 

                       

Contacts:

 

Joy Torchia, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

816-932-1045

 

Heather A. Katz, Ph.D., Hot Lava Software, Inc.

540-428-2988

 

Barbara Walls, Hot Lava Software, Inc.

540-428-2988

  

 

WASHINGTON, DC (August 7, 2008)—Beginning July 1, 2008, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and Hot Lava Software, Inc. have impacted the way fans learn about sports. The Sports Bytes Competition is a promotion that tests fans’ knowledge of the science behind sports via their mobile phones. Throughout the month of July, the promotion has engaged thousands of users in 6 different cities around the USA as well as dozens of countries around the world. As of August 1st, the promotion has over 100,000 registered users and over 30,000 users who have answered one or more questions about the science behind sports.  

 

The Sports Bytes Competition is a global effort, reaching users worldwide. Hot Lava Software’s Mobile Delivery Tracking System (MDTS) has recorded users from Africa, Asia, Europe, and Canada who have participated in the promotion by learning the science behind sports. Sports Bytes focuses on popular sports through “brain-teaser” questions that allow users to relate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concepts to real world contexts. Questions involving baseball will challenge the user to determine whether a professional batter can decide to swing, literally, in a blink of an eye. Other featured sports are soccer, cycling and swimming, which provide practical application to STEM concepts.

 

During the summer months, Sports Bytes is featured live at select professional baseball clubs; the Frederick Keys, Bowie Baysox, Aberdeen IronBirds, Kansas City T-Bones, and the Delmarva Shorebirds, along with the D.C. United soccer team.  Fans who text the correct answer to the nightly question could win autographed team merchandise, food vouchers, mascot bobble-head dolls, and even the chance to throw a first pitch at a future game. Fans playing outside of the stadiums can win free downloadable wallpaper of the Baltimore Oriole’s star, Garret Olsen, for their mobile phone.

 

To participate in the Sports Bytes Competition right now, text your answer to the question below to 83960.

 

Which ball has more drag?

 

• Text “sporta” for rough ball to 83960
• Text “sportb” for smooth ball to 83960
• Or click here to enter your response

 

Participate in the global Sports Bytes Competition and join over 100,000 people worldwide who have tested their knowledge of the science behind sports!

 

 

About Hot Lava Software, Inc.

 

Hot Lava Software, Inc. is the leading provider of mobile authoring, publishing, delivery and tracking solutions. Using Hot Lava Software’s content development and publishing system (LMA) integrated with the Hot Lava Mobile Delivery and Tracking System^TM (MDTS) allows organizations to have the tools and knowledge needed to launch and track mobile initiatives faster, with more cost efficiency. Hot Lava Software provides mobile content solutions and design, as well as authoring and publishing solutions to corporations, governments and universities around the world. More information is available at www.hotlavasoftware.com.

 

About the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

 

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a private nonpartisan foundation that works to harness the power of entrepreneurship and innovation to grow economies and improve human welfare. Through its research and other initiatives, the Kauffman Foundation aims to open young people’s eyes to the possibility of entrepreneurship, promote entrepreneurship education, raise awareness of entrepreneurship-friendly policies, and find alternative pathways for the commercialization of new knowledge and technologies. It also works to prepare students to be innovators, entrepreneurs and skilled workers in the 21st century economy through initiatives designed to improve learning in math, engineering, science and technology. Founded by late entrepreneur and philanthropist Ewing Marion Kauffman, the Foundation is based in Kansas City, Mo.  More information is available at www.kauffman.org.

Baseball Used to Teach Kids About Math and Science Through Sports Byte Competition

Joy Torchia

(816) 932-1045

 jtorchia@kauffman.org

 

Bob Sanregret

(540) 428-2988

bobs@hotlavasoftware.com

 

WARRENTON, Va-August 4, 2008-The Ewing Kauffman Foundation realized that a growing problem in our society is the lack of interest in the math and science fields of study, especially in the up and coming generation of students. With an interesting play on learning and enabled by Hot Lava Software, kids are “head faked”, using the words of Randy Pausch, into learning about the science behind the game of baseball.

Minor League teams such as the Frederick Keys, Bowie Baysocks, Wilmington Blue Rocks (click link to see an example of the Sports Bytes competition), Delmarva Shorebirds, Kansas City T-Bones, and Alberdeen Ironbirds have already started participating in this new-age learning program.

At home games, between innings, a nutty professor takes the stage on top of the home team dugout. Quickly catching the attention of the audience, a cell phone ring is played over the loud speaker. The professor challenges the audience, “Are you smarter than me, the professor?”

Now that the audience is enticed, “the professor” asks a science-based question about the game of baseball such as “Which has more drag, a smooth ball (sporta) or a rough ball (sportb)?” 

Using the technology by Hot Lava Software, answers are text messaged to a number that is displayed up on the big screen and immediately the user receives a text message back that states if the answer provided was correct along with a hot link to a site with more educational information about baseball. Out of all the participants, one is chosen to receive a prize package including things such as team paraphernalia all the way to a free Kajeet cell phone.

Audiences seem very interested in this technology-enabled between inning game. The pre-teen to teen ages especially show great interest in participating in a game at a baseball stadium where they are the target audience and they can utilize their cell phones. It is a change to the activities that focus more on younger children.

So far tens of thousands of baseball fans have been reached through this method of learning simply by attending a baseball game. Without even knowing, all of these users have experienced more than just a baseball game when the last pitch is thrown; they have been taught the physics behind the game and a few walk away inspired to learn more.

 

About the Kauffman Foundation

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation of Kansas City is a private, nonpartisan foundation that works with partners to advance entrepreneurship in America and improve the education of children and youth. The Kauffman Foundation was established in the mid-1960s by the late entrepreneur and philanthropist Ewing Marion Kauffman. Information about the Kauffman Foundation is available at www.kauffman.org

 

About Hot Lava Software, Inc.

Hot Lava Software Inc. is the leading provider of mobile authoring, publishing, delivery and tracking solutions. Using Hot Lava Software’s content development and publishing system (LMA) integrated with the Hot Lava Mobile Delivery and Tracking System ^TM (MDTS) allows organizations to have the tools and knowledge needed to launch and track mobile initiatives faster, with more cost efficiency. Hot Lava Software provides mobile content solutions and a mobile content design, authoring and publishing solution to corporations, government and universities around the world. More information is available at http://www.hotlavasoftware.com/