As the computer science industry continues to thrive, Richmond-based startup bitCubs is seeking a path into the education sphere through a bi-coastal project that brings computer science education to children through animated video lessons.
Amber Manry boasts 20 years of tech experience as a consultant for the federal government and has worked for both private and public companies such as Citi, Goldman Sachs, Fannie Mae, Department of Education, DHS, DoD and USCIS. Her and her husband eventually moved to Richmond to be closer to Virginia family, which is when the idea of translating her experience as a software engineer and technical architect into education began.
In June 2017, Manry set out with a mission to make computer science education available and affordable to every student. Almost a year later Manry, founder and CEO, pivoted to leveraging animation and live action to achieve that mission.
The direct-to-consumer business model that the company started began as a service-based company teaching after-school computer science programs. Since Manry began producing the video program, the company has started selling workbooks online that accompany the educational cartoons, which is how bitCubs generates revenue.
"I really wanted to reach the people that couldn't necessarily afford $100 or more for class,” Manry said, who fully bootstrapped bitCubs to start.
The videos feature cartoon characters inspired by basic coding concepts - such as characters demonstrating an “if statement” or the idea of a “loop.” Sample lesson videos are currently available on the website and on YouTube, where the bitCubs third grade curriculum was most recently released for purchase in addition to the previously created K-8 curriculum.
Other live action videos available on the platform feature Manry explaining computer science and cybersecurity habits to her daughter via video chat. These interactive storytelling experiences were built on the Unity gaming platform and are geared toward high school students.
bitCubs operates out of the 1717 Innovation Center and is a member of Startup Virginia; Propellant Labs, a California-based virtual incubator; and Impact Junkie, a social impact group led by Harvard alum Philip Hardin. The pilot episode of the animated video was created in a partnership with Flatland Creative and In Your Ear Studios, two Richmond based studios, and was illustrated by California-based artist Maeve McGrath.
Manry hopes that the next moves for her entertainment company will be the expansion into the public school system, especially as computer science education expands alongside the K-12 Virginia Standards of Learning exams in the subject.
So far, she has been approached by Henrico County and has been in talks with the Virginia Department of Education and CodeVA about transitioning her materials into the classroom. The company is also currently enrolled in the Sundance co//ab writing lab to facilitate the creation of another episode.
“The possibility of getting this to a mass amount of people for an affordable cost is exciting,” Manry said. “There is a large percentage of the population being left out of this education. Being able to solve that issue is what keeps me going. It's much bigger than me; I'm chasing the impact.”
