FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ROCHESTER, NY– The Department of Education has awarded Second Avenue Learning a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant to develop a prototype of a web-based game, Transmedia: Augmented Reality Game for Essential Transfer of Science (TARGETS). The game will feature renderings of chemical elements and science terms created by Simon Basher, best-selling author of Kingfisher’s The Periodic Table: Elements with Style!, Chemistry: Getting a Big Reaction! and Physics: Why Matter Matters! to teach chemistry concepts to students in grades 4 through 6. Augmented reality game cards, lesson plans, an affinity space and professional development materials will accompany the game, providing students with an unparalleled learning experience. Under the direction of Second Avenue CEO and Principal Investigator Victoria Van Voorhis, Second Avenue will work in collaboration with Professors David Simkins, Adrienne Decker and Christopher Egert from the Center for Media, Arts, Games, Interaction & Creativity (MAGIC) at the Rochester Institute of Technology and Professor Jayne Lammers from the Warner School of Education at the University of Rochester.

The SBIR program at the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), the Department of Education’s research division, provides up to $1.05 million to small businesses for the R&D of commercially viable education technology products. Of the many Phase I SBIR applicants, only five percent were funded in 2013.

Founded by educators and gamers, Second Avenue Learning provides custom development and managed services to education technology clients such as Pearson, McGraw-Hill and W.W. Norton. Second Avenue builds effective, interactive learning products, both proprietary and client-facing, that are innovative, pedagogically accurate and visually compelling. Second Avenue applies expertise to innovate the learning process, and understands that technology serves as a critical enabler to achieve fully customized learning environments and unlock the potential of all students. Our team takes a synergistic approach to all work, and includes subject matter experts, programmers, artists, learning designers, quality analysts and project managers. Here at Second Avenue, we create alternative learning paths and challenge the status quo. It is time to reimagine learning.

For Press:

Emma Kelly-Hasken

emma@secondavenuelearning.com

585.419.6631

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ROCHESTER, NY– Second Avenue Learning CEO Victoria Van Voorhis spoke on a panel about Disruptive Innovation in Education at Cornell University as part of Celebration 2013, an annual conference hosted by Entrepreneurship at Cornell. Fellow panelists included Christopher Proulx, CEO, eCornell, Brian Kannry, Principal, Court Square Ventures and Wallace Boston, President and CEO, American Public University System. The two day entrepreneurship conference features a keynote address by the Cornell Entrepreneur of the Year, highlights emerging technology and offers symposia on a variety of business topics. 

Founded by educators and gamers, Second Avenue Learning provides custom development and managed services to education technology clients such as Pearson, McGraw-Hill and W.W. Norton. Second Avenue builds effective, interactive learning products, both proprietary and client-facing, that are innovative, pedagogically accurate and visually compelling. Second Avenue applies expertise to innovate the learning process, and understands that technology serves as a critical enabler to achieve fully customized learning environments and unlock the potential of all students. Our team takes a synergistic approach to all work, and includes subject matter experts, programmers, artists, learning designers, quality analysts and project managers. Here at Second Avenue, we create alternative learning paths and challenge the status quo. It is time to reimagine learning.

For Press:

Emma Kelly-Hasken

emma@secondavenuelearning.com

585.419.6631

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ROCHESTER, NY— Second Avenue Learning built an app to improve literacy and vocabulary for High Noon Books, a subsidiary of Academic Therapy Publications. The app helps students improve vocabulary through spoken word association, using 60 of the most commonly used words in the English language. The app is complementary to High Noon’s Sound Out chapter books, which are designed for students with learning disabilities and those reading at an early elementary level. In the app, words are displayed on screen in a cloud pattern, arranged in various directions. After a word is read out loud, the student must locate and tap on the same word onscreen. If the correct word is chosen, the word disappears. If an incorrect word is chosen, the app will repeat the word until mastery is achieved. Each of the six levels includes ten target words and five extra words. Results are viewable for each student; progress is organized by level and displays accuracy of first, second and third attempts.

Second Avenue Learning is currently building Word Cloud Challenge 200, which will feature 200 of the most commonly used words in the English language.

Word Cloud Challenge is available for free on the App Store.

Founded by educators and gamers, Second Avenue Learning is a certified women-owned company in Rochester, NY that provides custom development and managed services to the education technology industry. In addition to developing proprietary products, Second Avenue builds effective, interactive learning environments that are innovative, accurate and visually compelling. Second Avenue applies expertise to innovate the learning process, and understands that technology serves as a critical enabler to achieve fully customized learning environments and unlock the potential of all students. Our team takes a synergistic approach to all work, and includes subject matter experts, programmers, artists, learning designers, quality analysts and project managers. Here at Second Avenue, we create alternative learning paths and challenge the status quo. It is time to reimagine learning.

For Press:

Emma Kelly-Hasken

emma@secondavenuelearning.com

585.419.6631

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ROCHESTER, NY– Second Avenue Learning Founder and CEO Victoria Van Voorhis delivered a webinar in collaboration with Jayne Lammers, Assistant Professor at the University of Rochester’s Warner School of Education titled Educational Games for Girls: Collaboration and Context.

To view an archived broadcast of the webinar, visit edWeb here or click the image below.

Be sure to visit edWeb’s Game-Based Learning Community for additional content and valuable discussion.

Founded by educators and gamers, Second Avenue Learning is a certified women-owned company in Rochester, NY that provides custom development and managed services to the education technology industry. In addition to developing proprietary products, Second Avenue builds effective, interactive learning environments that are innovative, accurate and visually compelling. Second Avenue applies expertise to innovate the learning process, and understands that technology serves as a critical enabler to achieve fully customized learning environments and unlock the potential of all students. Our team takes a synergistic approach to all work, and includes subject matter experts, programmers, artists, learning designers, quality analysts and project managers. Here at Second Avenue, we create alternative learning paths and challenge the status quo. It is time to reimagine learning.

For Press:

Emma Kelly-Hasken

emma@secondavenuelearning.com

585.419.6631

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Victoria Van Voorhis was recently named a Rochester Rockstar by RochesterRockstars.com.  The video interview is posted on the Rochester Rockstars website.

Victoria transitioned from being a school teacher to an entrepreneur in the education field. Her business, Second Avenue Software, Inc. specializes in the development of interactive media and serious games for education and training. In 6 short years, her business has become extremely successful. Victoria was named 2011 Technology Women of the Year by Digital Rochester. Her company was also listed in the 2012 RBJ book of lists as one of the top software companies in Rochester.

If you are considering entrepreneurship, you must watch this video. Learn from Victoria as she discusses:

-The next step that you must take to turn your idea into a business

-4 things you must do when you start a business

-Learning to market and sell your product or service

-How to get others to sell your product/service

-Where to go to look for mentors and coaches to help you take your business to the next level

Victoria is an entrepreneur who is making things happen and moving her business forward– even in this economy.  We appreciate her insights she shares with other entrepreneurs.

 RochesterRockstars.com is a community project with the goal of inspiring entrepreneurs to reach great success.  The legendary book, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill is read by more people than any other business book.  Napoleon Hill didn’t come up with the great ideas in the book, instead, he profiled the lessons learned from other successful leaders.  Rochester Rockstars.com brings you successful leaders in our own community sharing the secrets that led them to their Rockstar success.  Learn and Grow from their stories.

Founded by educators and gamers, Second Avenue Learning is a certified women-owned company in Rochester, NY that provides custom development and managed services to the education technology industry. In addition to developing proprietary products, Second Avenue builds effective, interactive learning environments that are innovative, accurate and visually compelling. Second Avenue applies expertise to innovate the learning process, and understands that technology serves as a critical enabler to achieve fully customized learning environments and unlock the potential of all students. Our team takes a synergistic approach to all work, and includes subject matter experts, programmers, artists, learning designers, quality analysts and project managers. Here at Second Avenue, we create alternative learning paths and challenge the status quo. It is time to reimagine learning.

For Press:

Emma Kelly-Hasken

emma@secondavenuelearning.com

585.419.6631

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ROCHESTER, NY– Second Avenue Learning has appointed Matt Grieshaber Director of Technology. Grieshaber will lead all software and technical teams, ensuring successful delivery to our clients in addition to building Second Avenue proprietary products.

Grieshaber most recently served as a Solutions Architect at Innovative Solutions in Rochester, NY. He has spent the last 15 years designing and implementing application development, data management and IT infrastructure solutions. His hands-on and executive experience across the IT spectrum allows him to ensure that all aspects of a technology solution support customer business needs. Grieshaber’s experience spans a wide variety of projects, including those with a focus on engineering software, content management systems, robotics controls and fulfillment systems. Grieshaber has three grade-school aged children, and is passionate about helping others achieve their potential. He holds a BS in Business Administration from SUNY Brockport.

For Press:

Emma Kelly-Hasken

emma@secondavenuelearning.com

585.419.6631

Second Avenue Learning is pleased to announce the launch of Voters Ed^TM, an engaging and interactive teaching tool about the U.S. Electoral College. Developed in conjunction with subject matter expert Dr. Paul Ferber, Professor in the Department of Political Science at Rochester Institute of Technology, Voters Ed meets the needs of teachers looking for timely digital solutions to supplement their classrooms. As schools across the country begin their new year and both Republicans and Democrats hold their conventions, all eyes are on election 2012. Just in time, Voters Ed is the perfect solution for teachers, students and active citizens looking to further their understanding of our election process.

The concept of the Electoral College is difficult to understand, even for many adults. In response to feedback from teachers that the topic is challenging to instruct, Second Avenue addressed a driving need. Voters Ed visually reinforces the concept with an interactive electoral map that teachers and students can manipulate to simulate different outcomes. Detailed data is available on every state, including up-to-date campaign contribution data to each major political party. As the election approaches, daily events can have significant ramifications on a candidate or party – Voters Ed is fed live poll data and shows users how candidates perform in each state, flagging those states with updated information. Teachers wanting to focus on current events will find Voters Ed an indispensible tool to keep students engaged.

In addition to being a go-to educational resource for election 2012, Voters Ed is rich with historical election content. The application contains a comprehensive primer, with engaging content on the origins and formation of the Electoral College as well as a review of the pros and cons of the system.  An FAQ section tests user knowledge of the process. The results of every past U.S. election are displayed in both map and data format. In addition, engaging content – in the form of both fun facts and thought-provoking exploratory questions – is provided for every election in history.

With teachers in mind, Voters Ed includes comprehensive lesson plans and integration suggestions for using the application in the classroom. Lesson plans are tied to curricular standards and specifically targeted to different grade levels from elementary through high school.

Second Avenue partnered with industry-leading digital content providers to distribute this innovative application. Compatible with interactive whiteboard, tablet and desktop platforms, Voters Ed is available in the following marketplaces:  Edmodo, Learning.com, SMART Technologies’ SMART Exchange, the App Store^SM, or directly from Second Avenue.

Founded by educators and gamers, Second Avenue Learning is a certified women-owned company in Rochester, NY that provides custom development and managed services to the education technology industry. In addition to developing proprietary products, Second Avenue builds effective, interactive learning environments that are innovative, accurate and visually compelling. Second Avenue applies expertise to innovate the learning process, and understands that technology serves as a critical enabler to achieve fully customized learning environments and unlock the potential of all students. Our team takes a synergistic approach to all work, and includes subject matter experts, programmers, artists, learning designers, quality analysts and project managers. Here at Second Avenue, we create alternative learning paths and challenge the status quo. It is time to reimagine learning.

For Press:

Emma Kelly-Hasken

emma@secondavenuelearning.com

585.419.6631

ROCHESTER, NY– The National Science Foundation has awarded Second Avenue Learning a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant to continue development of Martha Madison’s Marvelous Machines, a collaborative physical science game for middle school students that aims to change education. The grant will fund development of the game, building off the prototype built in 2011. There is a critical STEM problem in the U.S., and students are turning away from science, technology, engineering and math early in their educational paths. Play testing of the prototype with urban, suburban and rural middle school students demonstrated a significant increase in STEM affiliation among participants following game play.

Our research results are based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation.  Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. In fiscal year (FY) 2012, its budget is $7.0 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and other institutions. Each year, NSF receives over 50,000 competitive requests for funding, and makes about 11,000 new funding awards. NSF also awards nearly $420 million in professional and service contracts yearly.

Founded by educators and gamers, Second Avenue Learning is a certified women-owned interactive media company in Rochester, NY that provides custom software development for interactive modules and serious games for education, managed services for learning management systems, training services and content authoring, in addition to proprietary products. Second Avenue applies expertise to innovate the learning process, and understands that technology serves as a critical enabler to achieve fully customized learning environments and unlock the potential of all students. We pride ourselves on building effective, interactive learning environments that are innovative, accurate and visually compelling. Our team takes a synergistic approach to all work, and includes subject matter experts, programmers, artists, learning designers, quality analysts and project managers. Here at Second Avenue, we offer alternative learning paths and challenge the status quo. It is time to reimagine learning.

For Press:

Emma Kelly-Hasken

emma@secondavenuelearning.com

585.419.6631

ROCHESTER, NY– Second Avenue Learning CEO Victoria Van Voorhis was featured in a HerRochester.com article discussing Martha Madison’s Marvelous Machines, and the potential that the game holds for the future of STEM education. Van Voorhis is a strong proponent of learning through play. Her goals for the game include improving educational outcomes for all students, no matter the gender or ethnicity and encouraging girls to pursue study of and careers in science. Second Avenue plans to distribute the game for the 2013-2014 school year.

Founded by educators and gamers, Second Avenue Learning is a certified women-owned interactive media company in Rochester, NY that provides custom software development for interactive modules and serious games for education, managed services for learning management systems, training services and content authoring.  Second Avenue fully understands that technology serves as a critical enabler to achieve fully customized learning environments and unlock the potential of all students. We pride ourselves on building effective, interactive learning environments that are innovative, accurate and visually compelling. Our team includes subject matter experts, programmers, artists, learning designers, quality analysts and project managers. Here at Second Avenue, we offer alternative learning paths and challenge the status quo. It is time to reimagine learning.

For Press:

Emma Kelly-Hasken

emma@secondavenuelearning.com

585.419.6631

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Second Avenue Learning launched a Kickstarter campaign today to fund the development of a new mission of Martha Madison’s Marvelous Machines, a collaborative physical science game targeted at middle school age students, intended to improve learning outcomes and increase engagement and interest in STEM. U.S. performance in STEM is falling behind—putting our country at risk. The performance gap in STEM is visible by the fourth grade and continues to grow, especially among girls and minorities. Second Avenue set out to find a way to keep students interested in STEM disciplines, in an effort to develop the very best minds, no matter the gender or ethnicity. The Kickstarter campaign will allow design and development to continue beyond an existing prototype of the game, which was supported with a grant from the National Science Foundation.

Second Avenue plans to distribute the game to educational partners for the school year beginning in Fall 2013. To thank backers for their generous support, an array of rewards are available, including beta testing opportunities, copies of the game, and naming rights to characters and places within the game.

Founded by educators and gamers, Second Avenue Learning is a certified women-owned interactive media company in Rochester, NY that provides custom software development for interactive modules and serious games for education, managed services for learning management systems, training services and content authoring.  Second Avenue fully understands that technology serves as a critical enabler to achieve fully customized learning environments and unlock the potential of all students. We pride ourselves on building effective, interactive learning environments that are innovative, accurate and visually compelling. Our team includes subject matter experts, programmers, artists, learning designers, quality analysts and project managers. Here at Second Avenue, we offer alternative learning paths and challenge the status quo. It is time to reimagine learning.

Kickstarter is the world’s largest funding platform for creative projects. Funding is granted on an all or nothing basis. To support the Martha Madison’s Marvelous Machines Kickstarter campaign, visit us here. Thank you for your consideration and support!

For Press:

Emma Kelly-Hasken

emma@secondavenuelearning.com

585.419.6631