Scottish Enterprise Awards 2021

31 | Scottish Enterprise Awards 2021 Creating revolutionary multimedia resources and curricula for Pre-K–12 learning, Twig Education is an award-winning producer and publisher of education multimedia for STEM learning. We find out more from Founder and CEO Catherine Cahn. With a mission to give students the skills and knowledge they need to understand how the world works through unforgettable aha! moments, Twig Education specialises in short films, media-rich instructional materials, and core-curriculum solutions for primary and secondary learning. Based in Glasgow, Twig Education’s content is aligned to international curricula, with resources available in more than 60 countries and in over 20 languages. The company is proud of the strong partnerships it has forged with leading universities, such as Imperial College London and Stanford, as well as with technology companies like Google for Education. The firm’s flagship product is Twig Science Next Gen, a phenomena-based curriculum designed for the Next Generation Science Standards in the US, in which students investigate, design, build, and understand phenomena using a blend of hands- on, digital, video and print resources. Immersive storylines involve students inhabiting a range of STEM career roles, such as earthquake engineers and Hollywood special-effects artists. In 2021, following a period of sustained international success, particularly in the US with Twig Science Next Gen, the company was acquired by Imagine Learning, the largest provider of digital curriculum solutions in the US. “At the heart of all Twig content is a focus on storytelling and creating experiences that truly engage learners,” says Catherine Cahn, the company’s Chief Executive Officer.“Initially, we specialised in video content, which is still key to our success. Our videos bridge the gap between the outside world and the classroom. Students engage with subjects by seeing them in action – meeting wildlife in a rainforest, going on a virtual trip to the Yellowstone super volcano or even observing the energy of a supernova.” Combining footage sourced from the BBC, NASA, Getty and others, Twig videos have feature-film production values while getting key learning across in three minutes or less. “As we have progressed to developing complete curricula, we take that same narrative approach and instructional design to everything we do, from hands-on activities and learning materials to student books, interactive digital tools and games,” Catherine says. After a career in law and finance at Latham & Watkins, O’Melveny & Myers and Merrill Lynch, Catherine co-founded Twig Education in 2010. She has been CEO of Twig since 2017 and led its US expansion. When the Covid-19 pandemic struck, Twig Education knew it had to move quickly and adapt to home and hybrid learning.When schools closed, the company offered free trials of its supplemental products, as well as access to specially made independent learning packs, and it partnered with BBC Bitesize to provide STEM resources for school closures. It also worked directly with governments around the world – collaborating with Ministries of Education in Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, Iraq and more to offer free STEM content to students and teachers, as part of its mission to improve science literacy globally. “We have been incredibly proud to work with UNICEF on the Learning Passport, a digital personalised learning platform for children and young people,” Catherine says. “We were able to use our studio resources during the pandemic to develop a full suite of 3,000 video lessons and learning labs designed for distance and hybrid learning. Even as schools begin to reopen, this resource continues to have value as a flexible, cost-effective video curriculum.” Whilst Twig Education strives to create incredible, inclusive learning experiences that students remember forever, it couldn’t do this without the creative and passionate people who challenge and inspire each other within the firm, which Catherine is quick to point out.“Working for Twig means getting the chance to use your talents to the full, doing work that makes the world a better place, in an environment where great contributions get noticed. It is a workplace that encourages collaboration and creativity, and we look for people who fit in with that.” With the recent acquisition of the company by Imagine Learning, Twig Education has an opportunity to work with a partner who shares its goal to improve global science literacy, as well as understanding the important role that science education plays in the development of 21st century skills that lead to high-value careers. Recently, the company also launched the middle school version of Twig Science Next Gen, which takes the narrative-driven, career-role focus of the original product and adds digital field trips with real- world scientists and next-level digital interactives. It is thanks to all this innovation, hard work and commitment that Twig Education has been bestowed with the prestigious accolade of Best Global Educational STEM Learning Company 2021 in the SME News Scottish Enterprise Awards. Catherine and the rest of the team are excited about a bright future:“We look forward to introducing our products to many more classrooms across the US and providing teachers with the tools they need to create even more aha! moments!” Contact Details Contact: Catherine Cahn Company: Twig Education Web Address: www.twigeducation.com Oct21339 Best Global Education STEM Learning Company 2021