Editor’s Pick: Strawbees
If you were at EdTechX Summit earlier this year, you certainly would have spotted Erik Thorstensson walking around with what looked like some straws and styling a bright yellow jumper...
Strawbees describes themselves as the ‘future of learning’ sparking creativity and developing skillsets through hands-on learning. We spoke with Erik this week, to find out a little more about what they have in store.
What was the inspiration behind starting Strawbees?
I had just been to India implementing an interactive recycling machine for a school to make use of all the trash laying around. Back then, we focused on designing useful things that could be made out of waste such as cardboard, plastic packaging, bottles and drinking straws. But the biggest ‘aha’ moment was when the students used a very simple ‘clothespin’ design I had made — that’s when the original idea of the construction toy came to light. It took a further year and a customised order from a Science Centre to finalise the first prototype.
Tell us a little bit about the tech behind the product.
We supply a fast-paced educational tool for creative construction and code. The tech is based on lightweight construction pipes and modular connectors that allow the user to quickly scaffold an idea into a prototype in a very agile way. Students have a unique opportunity to try out ideas and modify their constructions but most importantly collaborate on constructions in ways that are impossible with any other construction tool. On top of that, we have developed hardware for animating and using code to control those structures making it possible in a short timeframe to make actual interactive prototypes to realize your idea.
We believe in helping the world develop creative problem solvers by allowing students to create actual prototypes in fun and creative ways, gathering the knowledge they need for the task. Everyone talks about STEAM and these subjects are all very important, but first and foremost it’s important that students start developing trust in their own powers of observation and creation, build creative confidence and critical thinking. Our goal is to let the students experience the subjects in the STEAM acronym as useful tools rather than something they need to learn for no apparent reason.
Who should be using Strawbees?
Every educational institution with kids from 5 to 12 years of age on the planet who wants their students to truly understand what problem-solving and the entire STEAM area is about should be using Strawbees. A lot of projects are using this terminology to sell their product but nonetheless offer super linear predefined paths which do not rhyme with what scientific discovery or problem-solving is about. They can still be great experiences but we want to add a bit of creativity into the mix making room for greater learning outcomes!
What is the ultimate goal for Strawbees?
To inspire a generation of learners that can help make a change in this world. We believe that being able to visualize, prototype and communicate ideas is one of the most powerful skills to learn in an ever faster changing future.
What has been the hardest thing about getting Strawbees off the ground?
Communicating through pictures how incredibly rich and powerful the Strawbees experience is has been the hardest. As our structures are mostly air and construction pipes they need depth or movement for the brain to be able to understand how it works or the shape of the structure. When you are in the room you can feel the excitement of the students, how their ideas progress and develop. It is incredibly hard to capture this in photos or video, you have to be there to understand it.
Looking back to the day you founded Strawbees what piece of advice would you give yourself?
This is a very hard question, I believe you learn so much from your mistakes so I would not want to remove any of them for that reason. But to be focused on building an organisation that can grow and have transparency in all processes from an early stage on could be one advice. I think we aimed at that but it’s hard when you are a small team doing everything from product design and development, production to PR and sales.
What has the response been like since winning the Nordic edtech award and pitching in the Global Startup Super League?
People love our colourful and creative angle and appreciate that even though it might look like a simple tool it is much more complex and powerful than you could ever imagine. We have so many schools working with us across the planet and they love that we are getting the recognition we deserve. We are incredibly honoured to have received this award and are working around the clock to grow into an international recognise EdTech company.
How do you think support in your country has helped you launch your company? What separates this ecosystem from others?
Sweden’s great social security system and low living costs let you dare more, go out on a limb and power through but still struggle just enough to want to keep going to find the market early. Entrepreneurship is a lot about endurance and grit but to realise an idea you also need the necessary R&D funds to design and develop prototypes. Places like ALMI, a states organisation supporting entrepreneurship, have been tremendously supportive during our start-up phase.
What do you think are the top tips for success?
The team behind Strawbees is by far the most important ingredient for success. It’s incredibly important to find the right mix of people with a diverse skillset who can work hard and have fun at the same time whilst creating thought-provoking, challenging and inspirational products.
What are you most excited about in Strawbees future?
I can’t reveal this just yet, but I can tell you this much, it has to do with mindblowing classroom experiences and exciting new partnerships!
If you cannot wait either, you can follow Strawbees on twitter @strawbees to follow their story.
