WildWorks is an interactive entertainment company focused on engaging kids and their families. Animal Jam, an massively multiplayer online (MMO) game that allows kids to play as various animals and interact in different ecological environments. The game was launched back in 2010 in partnership with the National Geographic Society, and has grown to become one of the most popular games for young kids. And, while the game is certainly fun (I mean, what kid doesn’t want to play as their favorite animal to explore ecosystems similar to those in real life?), it provides kids with an entrée to ecology. And for Stacey, fun is essential to getting kids more engaged with topics in STEM. By allowing kids to engage with the content in a fun way, they organically develop a curiosity to explore further into these various science topics. For WildWorks, as a company, it’s much more meaningful and productive to approach education in this way, rather than openly demanding that kids answer 50 questions on a topic or pointing out the things they need to learn. Watch the video below to learn more about what WildWorks CEO Clark Stacey says about the necessity for fun in education, as well as what his advice is for startups looking to larger organizations like National Geographic. WildWorks was one of our favorite companies at this year’s SXSW Interactive Trade Show.
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