The Interactive Stage is a unique STEAM toy that's fun for the entire family!
Work with your kids to build their own version of the Interactive Stage while introducing them to the world of theater magic and programming concepts. Together you can direct, design and create your own stage performance.
The Interactive Stage is an open-ended toy that:
• Incorporates,theater arts, engineering, visual programming and storytelling. It sparks creativity and imagination
• Empowers and motivates self-directed discovery and learning
• Ideal for ages 5-10
Our Baby Monster Group Story
My husband and I are both engineers and together we have two daughters. As we raised them we looked for toys to get them interested in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), but we soon found that none of the STEM toys we bought held the interest of our daughters for long. Many parents encounter this issue but rather than be dissuaded by the STEM toy options out there, we decided that we'd try to change the landscape by inventing our own product.
Hear from Linda Chen, the founder of Baby Monster Group:
For backing at $75 level, you will get one manufactured Interactive Stage diorama kit and its software
Our third version of the prototype will soon be ready for manufacturing.
In this version, you will have a software application optimized for young children's experiential programming through real-time feedback of all the electronics. As our early backer, you will receive all software feature improvement and updates that can grow with your child's continuing interest in performing arts.
This version of the hardware will include a robust theater stage for placing LED light strips, a motor, an RFID sensor and a micro-controller. It will also come with RFID stickers, puppet stands and puppet templates. The electronics are transportable to any existing play-set that your child already owns.
While it is our first time doing so, we have experienced companies to guide us through the process. The biggest challenge is the high cost of manufacturing and shipping, but we have consulted many experts to get the best estimates possible for getting the product manufactured, tested and shipped to final users.
Our goal of $25,000 is the best estimate for minimum manufacturing order.
The Impact
Research tells us that those who are underrepresented in STEM fields need to be encouraged early on.
According to The Harris Project:
Only 1 in 5 students feel “very confident” when it comes to learning STEAM subjects. And hands-on learning tools have the potential to improve educational outcomes that prepare students for the future.
According to Claire Shipman, author of The Confidence Code for Girls:
Between elementary school and high school, girls experience a 30% drop in confidence.
Interactive Stage Projects That Our Students Have Created:
Over the past two years, we have inspired over 200 students to create original stories, parades and concerts with the Interactive Stage at our workshops and after school programs. We’ve seen students' excitement as they begin with creating a show from scratch and moving along to programming lights and motors. All the while, they are just doing what they do best, imagining and playing. Furthermore, they are being exposed to engineering and programming without being formally instructed to do so.
What's In It For You?
Crowdfunding campaign backers can donate at several different tiers:
$15 - A Thank You Shout Out on our social media, and a subscription to Baby Monster Group's e-newsletter
$30 - Support a school/organization with other backers, get a thank you note/card from the kids you supported, and a subscription to Baby Monster Group's e-newsletter
$75 - You will receive one of the first Interactive Stage kits from this production run, and a subscription to Baby Monster Group's e-newsletter
$150 - Receive one Interactive Stage kit + a second kit will be donated to a school/organization, and a subscription to Baby Monster Group's e-newsletter
$300 - five Interactive Stage kits for pre-school is perfect for teachers to create interactive shows for their students.
$1,000 - Choose a teacher/instructor at a school/organization to receive 10 Interactive Stage kits with instructions and lesson plan materials, and a subscription to Baby Monster Group's e-newsletter. This is just $10/student for use during one school year.
What The Future Holds For Baby Monster Group
After our crowdfunding goal has been reached we will work on rolling out the Interactive Stage to pilot schools, nonprofits and organizations.
We also plan to expand our afterschool STEM programs and to invent more STEM toys.
Have a School Or A Teacher That You'd Like To Donate An Interactive Stage Kit To?
If you have a school/organization or a teacher/educator that you'd like to donate an Interactive Stage kit to, please email us at: bmgstage@gmail.com
Teachers or schools can also apply to have an Interactive Stage kit donated to them.
Teachers/educators and schools/organizations can apply to have an Interactive Stage kit donated to them, please email us at: bmgstage@gmail.com
Can't Donate? Here's How You Can Help
If monetary contribution isn't possible for you, we are continuing to seek volunteers to help us develop software on iOS and other platforms besides Android. We are also needing volunteers to help us with PR, marketing and reaching educators.
If you are an institution that can use Interactive Stage to support students STEM learning, please give us your contact information and we will find a way to work with you. You can reach us at: bmgstage@gmail.com
We understand that not everyone can make a contribution. You can help simply by spreading the word about our crowdfunding campaign and sharing it with someone you know who'd be interested in supporting us.