Derry specialist education company, Qubizm, is to expand its innovative Izka9 product on the international market.
Franz Schlindwein, managing director and founder, with local schoolchildren enjoying the Qubizm stand during CultureTECH 2013 at Ebrington,
Franz Schlindwein, Qubizm managing director and founder launched Izak9, an innovative way to engage children in mathematics, at the recent BETT learning technology exhibition in London.
He said the product was based on his conviction that the best way to encourage uptake in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) based subjects and careers, was to empower children with confidence and build their skills in mathematics when they are young.
He added: “This is not only a challenge here, but across Europe and the US and so offers us significant export opportunities. Invest NI is now helping us to harness the export potential of Izak9.
“When children reach the middle years of primary school, they no longer learn through play. The curriculum becomes more structured and the learning more solitary, especially as children move closer to the transfer process in year seven. In year eight, pupils have been separated from their established peer group and are faced with many new challenges which regularly result in a drop in performance.
“Children are particularly vulnerable at these times, often losing their appetite for learning. If we want them to have a passion and enthusiasm for mathematics, making it a subject of choice and not a curricular imposition, then we need to engage children by using resources that are stimulating, rewarding and fun.”
The product was developed by Qubizm with research and development assistance from Invest NI, part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
The assistance enabled the company to work with the University of Ulster and a group of local companies to create and test a fully working classroom prototype.
Qubizm has also benefited from an Invest NI Innovation Voucher, its Propel Programme and also technical support and marketing assistance to develop Izak9.
Des Gartland, Invest NI North West regional office manager, said: Izak9 wa an “extremely innovative” product that would help young people develop the essential maths and science skills that so many employers were seeking.
He added: “Our support has enabled Qubizm to seek expert guidance from educationists at the University of Ulster, and from local companies, on the skills and knowledge they are seeking from young people, particularly in advanced engineering.
“Schools, universities and education boards have already placed orders for the product, providing a strong foundation for growth outside Northern Ireland. Our support is now enabling the company to reach a wider international marketplace through participation in targeted exhibitions such as BETT in London.”
