The duality of digital tools is clear. On one hand, they unlock opportunities for learning and innovation. On the other, they expose students to distractions, online risks, and privacy challenges. This calls for guardrails to regulate responsible and balanced use.Lightspeed Systems offers the ideal solution to strike that balance. For over 25 years, Lightspeed Systems has been at the forefront of this mission, serving approximately 23 million students globally. By equipping schools with powerful, easy-to-use tools, the company enables administrators and teachers to create secure, focused, and effective learning environments. “As cyber threats against educational institutions continue to escalate, and mental health concerns around students continue to rise. we recognize that K-12 schools are increasingly looking for trusted partners. Our industry experience has been crucial in driving the continuous evolution of our technology, enabling us to provide safety and security solutions that offer unparalleled visibility and control,” says Amy Bennett, Chief of Staff.

The story of Mathos AI began with three visionaries whose complementary strengths would reshape mathematical education. Tianwei Yue, admitted to a top Chinese university at age 14 for her mathematical prowess, went on to study Artificial Intelligence at Carnegie Mellon University. Qi Lyu, with his distinguished mathematics competition achievements and deep expertise in AI engineering, brought technical innovation to the team, while Yanjia Guo contributed valuable insights from his experience at a leading edtech company, where he had observed firsthand the gap between educational products and student needs. Back when they were in school, they noticed a recurring theme among their peers: even the brightest students struggled with the complexities of solving math problems. It wasn’t just about finding answers—it was about truly understanding the process, a critical element that was often missing.. "We saw friends frustrated because they didn't have the right tools to guide them," recalls Yue, now the CEO of Mathos AI. This shared observation drove their mission to revolutionize math education as ChatGPT began transforming how people access and digest information. Thus, Mathos AI was born. From Passion to Product "We didn't want to stop at providing solutions," says Guo, the Chief Growth Officer. "We wanted to guide students, teach them, and ensure they felt confident tackling problems on their own." This vision materialized in their flagship product: a multimodal personalized AI math tutor that transcends traditional learning boundaries. Their application offers seamless integration of multiple learning modes - students can Circle & Ask, Draw, Scratch, and Talk, all within a single interface, creating an experience akin to having a patient, ever-present math teacher.

Learning is an ongoing journey that extends beyond the traditional boundaries of classrooms and into the vast expanse of the world around. Nobody understands this better than Samara and Joseph Cuccurullo, founders of Resource Room Learning Center. For them, STEM education is more than just Lego robotics or coding. It’s about developing critical thinking, improving executive functioning and inspiring hands-on experimentation that shapes essential life skills. Functioning as a comprehensive learning center, the company provides holistic STEM education to students of all age groups. The center operates from two locations: Holly Springs, North Carolina and Staten Island, New York. “We began our journey to provide well-rounded K-12 education, which quickly transformed into a dynamic pursuit to provide engaging, hands-on STEM experiences, and now we are accommodating different learning styles and engaging students in new ways,” says Joseph Cuccurullo, co-founder of Resource Room.

A midst the competitive job market, projectbased learning (PBL) has emerged as a powerful approach to bridge the gap between theoretical education and real-world industry demands. For emerging STEM-driven sectors like EVs, where hands-on skills are paramount, project-based learning (PBL) serves as a powerful gateway for aspiring students to break into the industry. At the forefront of this movement is Switch Vehicles, a pioneer in EV education. The company provides students hands-on experience of theoretical ideas, enhancing retention and improving learning outcomes. It provides students the opportunity to assemble, program, and deeply explore EV systems. By equipping learners of all ages with “build-it-yourself” EV kits, Switch Vehicles delivers practical knowledge and a comprehensive understanding of how EVs work from the ground up. “We give schools a competitive edge with our projectbased learning approach,” says Brandon Watt, marketing director of Switch Vehicles. “When a client comes to us, they get everything needed to run a successful program, from end-to-end support and practical resources to ongoing assistance for long-term success.” The company’s offerings include training workshops, curriculum resources along with safety gear and reusable toolkits. This eliminates the need for schools to rely on multiple vendors or trainers, streamlining the adoption of EV education and empowering institutions to deliver more impactful learning experiences.

IN FOCUS

Embracing Technology: A New Standard of Safety for K-12 Districts

A secure environment in K-12 schools is becoming increasingly essential, leading to the need for advanced security measures and technologies.

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Elevating K-12 Education: Harnessing Technology for Engaging Learning Experiences

Adaptive learning platforms, AI-driven assessments, and online resources provide customized learning experiences based on students’ strengths and weaknesses.

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EDITORIAL

Global Frontiers in STEM Education and Safety

The world is witnessing a technological renaissance in education and safety, transforming classrooms and campuses. Today’s groundbreaking STEM solutions providers are reimagining learning environments with virtual laboratories and simulation-based platforms, enabling students to conduct experiments and engage with complex scientific concepts without the constraints of traditional classroom settings. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) tools are now commonplace, offering immersive experiences that bring abstract theories to life. Parallel to the advancements in STEM, K-12 district security is undergoing a technological transformation to create safer educational environments. Recent developments have focused on integrating real-time analytics with IoT-enabled security systems. Modern surveillance cameras now incorporate AI to detect unusual behavior and identify potential threats before they escalate. Additionally, biometric systems and advanced access control measures are being deployed to ensure authorized personnel can access school premises. Driven by these trends, STEM education in the K-12 market is projected to reach $177.5 billion by the end of 2033, growing at a CAGR of 13.6 percent from 2025 to 2033. This edition of the Education Technology Insights offers a detailed look into the latest innovations and how companies align with these trends. The magazine features a thought-provoking article from Alex Sarlin, Senior Advisor, Product at Cambiar Education. In it, he advocates for a transformation in STEM education, where AI-driven, project-based and purpose-driven learning replace outdated models to create a more inclusive and future-ready education system. Another article by Sean Beaverson, Director of Technology at Orono Public Schools and Andrew Rummel, Digital Learning Coordinator for Bloomington Public Schools, emphasizes that AI and digital tools should enhance, not replace, the collaborative and human-centered aspects of STEM education. We also bring you top STEM Solutions Providers who offer cutting-edge products and solutions. A noteworthy story is that of Lightspeed Systems. This well-established company provides cloud-managed solutions for K-12 schools, ensuring safety, compliance and engagement across devices. In this edition featuring the Top STEM Solutions Providers 2025, K-12 District Security and Safety of the Year 2025, we hope you find the right partner to meet your organization’s needs.