News:
Mohsen Saadatmand, Educational Researcher, Ph.D. joins the Grow Planet team
Feb 1, 2019
Mohsen Saandamaat, postdoctoral researcher at Playful Learning Center, University of Helsinki, joins the Grow Planet team to conduct a research project about game-based learning to teach STEAM and sustainable development in primary school. The aim is to make learning science playful and engaging for kids by combining digital games with school and real-life situations to bridge informal and formal learning experiences and foster problem-solving skills for K-3 pupils.
Gro Play Launches Grow Play Education
April 12, 2018
The launch of Grow Play Education and acceptance to the xEdu business accelerator program marks Gro Play’s formal entry to the education sector. Grow Play Education offers educational games and materials for teachers and students K-3 to teach and learn about STEAM and sustainable development. Gro Play Education will launch two offerings, Grow Play School Kits and Grow Planet.
Grow Planet, currently in development, is an immersive learning platform where students will learn about and apply their knowledge of STEAM concepts in a life-like world. Grow Planet is in development with support from xEdu and in co-creation partnerships with schools in Sweden and Finland.
Grow Play School Kits will be released in April 2018 including lesson plans and guidance for educators to support existing apps that focus on recycling, upcycling, organic gardening, renewable resources, biodiversity, and pollution. Educators interested in receiving free lesson materials and contributing to the co-creation process of Grow Planet can register here.
To lead the educational content creation, Gro Play has hired Lisa Adelsköld, former Education Director at Keep Sweden Tidy (Håll Sverige Rent), as Head of Pedagogic Development. Lisa is an ecologist with 15 years of experience working with education for sustainable development. Lisa is leading the development of STEAM content and integration with sustainability pedagogy for Grow Play Education games.
Since 2012, Gro Play has created GOOD GAME experiences, offering “edutainment” to entertain and inspire children and their families to learn more about health, wellbeing and sustainable living. Founded on educational puzzles, Gro Play expanded to gaming apps, creating its own Grow World featuring characters such as Banja, a rabbit who leads kids through the cycles of organic gardening and sustainable forestry among other sustainability adventures. In 2013, Gro Play partnered with the licence holder Bokmakaren AB to create games featuring Alfie Atkins, the beloved Scandinavian fictional character brought to life by the books of author, Gunilla Bergström. Gro Play’s edutainment games are available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play app store.
The Grow Play Education initiative is being led by:
Lisa Adelsköld – Head of Pedagogic Content
Lisa is an ecologist with 15 years of experience working with education for sustainable development. Her driving force is to inspire children to learn for a more sustainable future, focusing on action competence. Lisa has been engaged as a lecturer, writer and project leader and joined Gro Play from The Keep Sweden Tidy Foundation, where she was the Educational Director. As Head of Pedagogic Content at Gro Play, Lisa is responsible for developing the STEAM content and and teacher guides for Grow Play Education games.
Kristian Lundquist – CEO and Co-Founder
Kristian Lundquist, CEO and co-founder, has a Master of Education from Uppsala University, Sweden, beginning his professional career as a teacher, he later switched to digital marketing and business development. In 2012 he co-founded Gro Play with Patricia Richter and Henrik Sallander and has been developing edutainment about social topics since. Kristian has co-founded several successful companies and he has more than 20 years of experience of creating engaging content to drive communication and learning.
Henrik Sallander – CTO and Co-Founder
Henrik Sallander, CTO and co-founder, has a Master of Computer Science from Chalmers, Gothenburg, Sweden. Henrik has 20 years of experience in tech development at the intersection of web services, music tools and games for a global audience. As the CTO of Gro Play, Henrik is responsible for systems architecture and managing an amazing tech team. Henrik has a unique set of skills to understand complex systems and create simple but stable solutions which is key to success in the complex world of EdTech.
About Gro Play
At Gro Play we create GOOD GAME experiences to entertain and inspire children and their families to learn more about health, well-being and sustainable living. We believe that Play is not only the most fun but also the most powerful way of learning. By entertaining and inspiring children and their parents, together we are shaping a healthier and more sustainable future.
At Gro Play we publish our own titles which are available for a global audience. See our apps here.
We also help brands, companies and organisations develop games and entertainment. Read more about some of the work we have done so far.
Gro Play is a STING alumni and has been part of the Reach for Change program with the aim of helping children and youth to a better life. Gro Play is a proud winner of the Swedish Living Green award 2012.
Contact Gro Play: info@www.groplay.com , +46-766499355
About xEdu
xEdu is Europe’s leading business accelerator for edtech startups creating transformative learning solutions with pedagogical impact. From product development to market entry and internationalization, xEdu offers broad assistance including coaching and mentoring, real-life testing environments for research and development. xEdu program provides a global partner network of recognized leaders in the education business for accelerated startups.
Contact xEdu: info@xedu.co