Born from a five-year academic research project at the University of Helsinki, the edtech startup Kide Science has been acquired by Accelerate Learning, a leading provider of preK-12 STEM curricula. The startup is known for its imaginative and play-based STEM lessons for young children. This strategic acquisition aims to expand Accelerate Learning’s early childhood educational offerings and extend its global reach, as Kide Science currently serves over 1 million children in 32 countries. The move aligns with the increasing emphasis on early childhood education in the United States and worldwide, and it is expected to provide teachers with research-backed lessons that tap into children’s natural curiosity, offering them a strong foundation in STEM education, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills while making learning a fun and engaging experience.
“Young children have an innate sense of curiosity about the world, which makes the early years an ideal time to explore the wonders of STEM,” said Philip Galati, president and CEO of Accelerate Learning. “With Kide Science, teachers have research-backed lessons that tap into children’s drive to play, investigate, and discover so they can be successful in STEM from the start.”
The Kide Science platform includes a library of play- and story-based lessons and professional development materials for teachers of children ages 3-8. Each lesson includes video instructivons, printouts, assessment tools, scientific explanations for all the phenomena, and tips to adjust the lesson based on a child’s age and ability.
For students, every Kide Science lesson features an immersive story and illustrations that present STEM problems in a concrete, fun way. In addition to STEM topics, the lessons promote the development of social-emotional, literacy, critical thinking, and problem solving skills.
“Kide Science is tested with real kids in real classrooms, and the lessons can complement any curriculum, which makes it easy for teachers and schools to implement,” said Sari Hurme-Mehtälä, CEO and cofounder of Kide Science. “We’re excited to join Accelerate Learning in setting students on a successful STEM path and creating the next generation of critical thinkers and problem solvers.”
Kide Science was the winner of the first Education Finland Award in 2022, which recognized the best Finnish education solution for international markets. Education Finland is part of the Finnish National Agency for Education.
