Comstock's Magazine 0720 JULY July 2020

FOUNDER OF THE MONTH BARBARA DEHART SAMA LEARNING BY Russell Nichols This spring, COVID-19 forced schools to go online. But, for the most part, the teaching models remained the same. Sama Learning, a Nevada City-based startup, wants to transform those models, moving from standard lectures to active learning in virtual environments. For example, a student could manipulate spherical atoms to create different elements or balance chemical equations with a laser pointer. “We’re not just taking what we do in a 2D space and applying it to (virtual reality),” says CEO and cofounder Barbara DeHart. “We’re taking what we know about diverse areas and building a new framework for learning in a 3D space.” DeHart, who has a background in media and entertainment technology, linked up with Christopher Tassone, a staff scientist at Stanford University’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, with a shared goal to improve learning by combining the power of immersive technologies, data science and education research. To test its VR platform, Sama Learning held an efficacy study in 2018 with about 1,000 chemistry students at Loyola Marymount University, Stanford University and Chico State. On average, the students using VR technology improved by a full letter grade, and 72 percent of students at one of the schools showed some level of improvement. With a team of six, Sama Learning used these findings to begin product development in 2019. After receiving partial funding from the National Science Foundation, the startup had launched a seed campaign, but fundraising efforts have been put on hold due to the coronavirus. PHOTO BY TERENCE DUFFY If I could have any other job, I’d be........................................................... an author. A startup can’t be successful without .................................................... a vision and some grit. The book that best represents my approach to business would be “If You Want to Write: A Book About Art, .................................................................................................................. .................................................................................................................. Independence and Spirit,” by Brenda Ueland. finding investors My biggest fear about launching was ................................................. who align with our mission (not just our financial ............................................................................................................. potential). ............................................................................................................. If I could give my younger self some advice, it would be ................. in many ........................................................................................................... instances, it is better to ask for forgiveness ........................................................................................................... than to ask for permission. CAN SCHOOLS USE THE SAMA PLATFORM FOR THEIR OWN CURRICULA? “Our goal is to produce not only VR-based content, but also develop content-creation tools so others can develop courses using the same framework.” HOW DO YOU THINK RECENT QUARANTINES WILL AFFECT IDEAS ABOUT ED TECH? “We see many ... products that are based on hunches rather than research, education advances that focus on the back office rather than learning, and an industry that doesn’t utilize the power of technology to improve outcomes. ... This shutdown has removed many of the barriers … and now is the perfect opportunity to do things differently.” For more on Sama Learning, read Russell Nichols’ Startup of the Month column at comstocksmag.com. 98 comstocksmag.com | July 2020

Comstock's Magazine 0720 JULY July 2020 | страница 98