SQUARE PANDA™ NAMED FIRST LITERACY PRODUCT TO RECEIVE STEM.ORG TRUSTMARK

SQUARE PANDA™ NAMED FIRST LITERACY PRODUCT TO RECEIVE STEM.ORG TRUSTMARK

Phonics learning system recognized for its effective approach to helping kids build a reading foundation through multisensory play

SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 24, 2018 – Square Panda today announced it was awarded the STEM.orgApproved™ Trustmark, making it the first literacy product in history to receive this recognition. Square Panda is a unique learning system for kids that helps build early reading skills through engaging games grounded in research that play on a tablet. The playset also incorporates physical smart letters, tying in a multisensory learning approach, which research has proven can be the most impactful way to help young children learn.

“We are honored to be recognized as the first literacy product to receive STEM.org's Approved Trustmark,” said Andy Butler, CEO of Square Panda. “By providing children with engaging, individualized learning experiences, we are able to make a deeper impact on their learning progress. In turn, this builds confidence to explore and succeed in other subject areas. Without a strong reading foundation, children fall behind. Square Panda’s mission is to empower all children to reach their full potential by launching their educational journey, which aligns closely with STEM.org’s mission to make quality STEM education accessible to all. This common vision makes for an ideal partnership.”

Building reading skills at an early age is important to a child’s future success in school and in life. Square Panda includes the playset, 45 tactile smart letters and access to a library of games that keep kids having fun and engaged in their learning. It also gives parents and teachers access to Square Panda’s Parent and Teacher Portals, where they can manage and personalize a child’s account, while also tracking their learning progress.

“The STEM pipeline narrows significantly when students are behind in reading,” said Andrew B. Raupp, Founder and Executive Director of STEM.org. “We found Square Panda to be a unique and engaging learning tool that can truly have an impact on children’s progress who are learning to read. In turn, this will help them be able to better explore and excel in STEM subjects early in life, a key factor that our organizations are collectively working to address.”

Square Panda is appropriate for children ages 2 and older. Its learning activities are designed by a team of world-class game designers, educators, parents, artists and more. With Square Panda, children playfully learn to recognize letter sounds and rhymes, build vocabulary and more.

Availability

The Square Panda Home Edition is sold at MSRP $99.95. Square Panda also has a Classroom Edition, which is sold at MSRP $169. Both editions are recommended for children ages 2-8 years. All Square Panda games are free to download from the App Store or Google Play. Tablet not included.

About Square Panda

Square Panda™ is the award-winning complete phonics learning system with multisensory play. Designed for kids two and older, the playset blends physical and digital learning as it keeps kids entertained through age-appropriate learning games grounded in research-based curriculum. Early readers play their way to reading fluency as they engage with physical smart letters that connect them to a library of learning games. Every play session guides children as they explore the alphabet, letter sounds, discover rhymes, build vocabulary and more. For more information, visit www.squarepanda.com.

About STEM.org

STEM.org’s mission is to make quality STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education accessible to all.  For more than 15 years, STEM.org has been at the forefront of the global, Pre-K – 12th grade STEM education movement.  Through an extensive collaborative effort, STEM.org has worked closely with pedagogical researchers, a community of educators, administrators, and schools to establish a respected set of benchmarks. The resources and proven best-practices of this community have led to the world’s first and most recognized STEM credentialing framework: STEM Accreditation™ for Programs, STEM Certification™ for People, and STEM Approved™ for Products.