Kukua - an innovative, fun, and engaging, early childhood STEM platform as a promotion intervention program for age 4-8 years old AA girls

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT In the United States (US), 73% of scientists and engineers are white with less than 2% being African American (AA) women.1 While AA girls and women comprise 7% of the US population, they are significantly under- represented in STEM education and professions – with less than 2% of AA women in all STEM occupations. Research suggests that STEM promotion interventions for AA girls should occur during preschool/early-primary school, when the foundational “building blocks” of self-efficacy are first developed (e.g., mastery experiences, social modeling). For this Phase I SBIR project, we propose Kukua - an innovative, fun, and engaging, early childhood STEM as a promotion intervention program for African American girls (4–8 years-old). Kukua, meaning “grow” or “grow up” in Swahili, will be a culturally-relevant smart doll with corresponding daily interactive digital media, via videos, coupled with a primary caregiver app for engagement in STEM activities. Kukua will increase STEM skills development and interest from observational, play-based learning, and role modeling.21 Additionally, Kukua will challenge false assumptions about AA girls’ STEM abilities. Kukua will be designed and developed by Benten Technologies, led by Principal Investigator (PI) Tony Ma of Benten Technologies in collaboration with Dr. Natalie S. King (Co-I) of Georgia State University, Katie Chang (Co-I) of Benten Technologies, and Dr. Krystyna Isaacs (Project Manager) of Benten Technologies. The specific aims of this Phase I project are: 1) Develop a prototype of Kukua, including caregiver app and ten 15-minute interactive videos for the first 2-weeks of a 12-week program, using formative research with AA girls (4-8 years old) and primary caregivers; and 2) Conduct a 2-week pilot testing of Kukua with 20 AA girls (4-8 years old) and their primary caregiver to assess its feasibility (usability, acceptance, and engagement). Impact: In the short-term, this study will demonstrate the feasibility of the development and implementation of a play and observational learning-based intervention utilizing a smart doll alongside other interactive digital media that includes an interactive mobile application featuring interactive videos for promoting STEM interest and skills development among African American girls. In the long-term, African American girls will continue to engage in STEM education after elementary school, have a greater sense of belonging in STEM, and demonstrate increased confidence and interest in STEM. For Phase II, we plan to complete the development of the 12-week program and test the effects of Kukua on increasing STEM knowledge, interest, and identity among African American girls, and ultimately increase African American girls’ and women’s representation in STEM education and professions.PROJECT NARRATIVE Benten Technologies will develop an innovative platform entitled Kukua to address complex challenges of developing STEM identity and promoting interest in STEM education and careers among African American girls (AA) and enabling future success in STEM. Kukua will help AA girls aged 4-8 years to develop STEM identity, skills, and interest through play-based learning and effective role modeling using a smart doll named Kukua and an interactive animated videos series with reinforcement from primary caregivers.