NEW YORK (March 9, 2021) – Makeblock has been named to Fast Company’s prestigious annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2021.
The list honors the businesses that have not only found a way to be resilient in the past year, but also turned those challenges into impact-making processes. These companies did more than survive, they thrived—making an impact on their industries and culture as a whole. This year’s MIC list features 463 businesses from 29 countries.
“We are helping to stimulate students’ imagination and creativity, by teaching them how to control technology, rather than be controlled by it. Everyone is born with an ability to innovate, and at Makeblock Education, we are aiming to bring that out in every child.”
said Founder and CEO of Makeblock, Jasen Wang.
Makeblock has been dedicated to robotics and STEAM education since 2014, aims to help young creators turn their ideas into reality. We offer easy to use yet powerful solutions consisting of hardware, software, and machinery, facilitating the exploration of STEAM, computer science, and making for all ages. Makeblock sits where technology and education collide, giving us a unique opportunity to let the learners of today shape their tomorrow.
In 2020, Makeblock Education has brought to life with three major advancements:
1.Creating Makeblock Education
To focus on meeting the needs of the education community, Makeblock has decided to rebrand and develop specific solutions under the name Makeblock Education. This move allows for investment in creating educational resources to assist the learning and teaching experience, including getting started activities, project ideas, and curriculum plans. By working with partners around the world, Makeblock Education can now provide professional development for educators.
2.STEAM On Board Teacher Training
To reinforce our commitment with the education community, we have launched the Makeblock Education STEAM On Board program. Ran jointly with our educational partners, the goal of the program is to upskill educators globally who are interested in the development of Computer Science and STEAM education in their classrooms. We consider educators from preschool level all the way to high school level. The program consists of four phases, Online Trainings, Onsite Teacher Training, Pilot Schools, and Innovation Space, through which we nurture the confidence and skills of teachers.
3.Two New Educational Solutions
- Computer Science and Python educational solutions for secondary education
Makeblock Education launched a brand-new single board computer, CyberPi, in September 2020. This is a powerful, hand-held device that integrates sensors and actuators, a Wi-Fi module, and Bluetooth. Its full color display is perfect for data visualization. Using Wi-Fi, data logging, IoT, and AI projects can be very easy to implement. Projects can be extended with powerful external sensors and other hardware, which come from the Makeblock mBuild line of add-on modules. In tandem with the launch of CyberPi, a new educational Python editor will be available through Makeblock’s current coding platform, which is called mBlock. The programming language allows CyberPi to be used both microPython and Python 3 projects. It is the first educational device on the market that’s looking at how to extend on the developed libraries of Python 3 with hardware.
- Joint efforts for Early learning solution with Eduscape
In order to bring the multiple intelligences theory into early learning, Makeblock Education recently launched a screen-free robot, mTiny Discover. With the robot, the solution includes interactive maps, physical coding cards, activity cards, and most importantly, a full curriculum that is developed with Eduscape, a well-known curriculum development organization. The full curriculum from Eduscape focuses on early coding skills and social-emotional development, and has opportunities for e-learning and in-person professional development.
Fast Company’s editors and writers sought out the most groundbreaking businesses across the globe and industries. They also judged nominations received through their application process.
The World’s Most Innovative Companies is Fast Company’s signature franchise and one of its most highly anticipated editorial efforts of the year. It provides both a snapshot and a road map for the future of innovation across the most dynamic sectors of the economy.
“In a year of unprecedented challenges, the companies on this list exhibit fearlessness, ingenuity, and creativity in the face of crisis,”
said Fast Company Deputy Editor David Lidsky, who oversaw the issue with Senior Editor Amy Farley.
To coincide with the issue launch, Fast Company will host its first-ever Most Innovative Companies Summit on March 9and 10. This virtual, multiday summit will celebrate the Most Innovative Companies in business, provide an early look at major business trends, and offer the inspiration and practical insights on what it takes to innovate in 2021.
Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies issue (March/April 2021) is now available online here, as well as in app form via iTunes and on newsstands beginning March 16, 2021. The hashtag is #FCMostInnovative.
About Makeblock
Makeblock Co., Ltd is a robotics startup from Shenzhen established in 2013. Its main brand Makeblock, founded in 2011, is a leading DIY robotics construction and STEM education platform for makers, hobbyists, STEM learners, and educators. Makeblock empowers people to turn ideas into reality by providing STEM Kits, Tech Kits, DIY Kits, a building block platform of over 500 mechanical parts, and easy-to-use electronic modules, graphical programming software, and online and offline courses.
For more information, follow @Makeblock on Facebook, @Makeblock on Twitter or visit https://www.makeblock.com.cn.
ABOUT FAST COMPANY
Fast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. The editor-in-chief is Stephanie Mehta. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with our sister publication Inc., and can be found online at www.fastcompany.com.