Jessica Browning, creator of KidsAi, wins 2024 James A. Kelly Learning Lever Prize
The sixth annual James A. Kelly Learning Lever Prize competition was held on April 4, 2024. The program is a competition designed to challenge University of Michigan students to invent tools with the potential to significantly improve student learning. This prize encourages a culture of innovation in education, and rewards the creative, interdisciplinary work of University of Michigan students.
The James A. Kelly Learning Lever Prize winner—receiving a $10,000 award—is Jessica Browning for KidsAi. As generative AI revolutionizes society, KidsAI endeavors to empower kids with essential skills. The platform offers structured learning and critical evaluation tools to navigate AI responsibly.
In addition to the grand prize winner, judges presented development awards to the other four teams:
Mathemyths - $2,000
Xuechen Liu
Leveraging the recent advances of large language models, Team Mathemyths aims to develop a joint storytelling application. This application offers children new opportunities to co-create fun math-related stories with their storytelling partner, Mathemyths, and engages them in an exciting way.
String Theory - $2,000
Toinu Reeves
String Theory, a 2D puzzle video game, trains users to apply the rules of logical inference and to solve formal logic proofs, increasing speed and accuracy in applying logic and solving logic proofs as users play out for their own enjoyment.
Climate Chaos - $4,000
Aleena Qaiser
Climate Chaos is an interactive educational board game for young teens. The game consists of the players learning the leading causes of global warming and strategically applying practical solutions.
CodeBloc - $4,000
Chiao Lin, Tara Dorje
CodeBloc is a mixed reality application that harnesses the power of immersive technology to teach foundational programming concepts to K-12 students. CodeBloc invites users to assemble interactive 3D code blocks and generate output in an immersive MR programming environment, effectively converting a child's room into a dynamic coding playground.
This year’s judging panel included:
- Carl C. Haynes-Magyar (PhD ’22), Postdoctoral Fellow, Carnegie Mellon University; Winner, 2022 Learning Levers Prize;
- Vanessa Lane, Co-Founder and COO, Better Play Studios;
- Josh Nichols, CEO and Founder, CrossBraining; and
- Brenda Said-Wright, Director of Instruction and Intervention, Riverview Community Schools and Owner, Great Lakes Educational Group.