When shelter-in-place took effect, every business had to adjust quickly. That is no different for QuantumCamp of Oakland, CA. As a premier science provider since 2012, offering a captivating summer camp and school-year science programs to homeschool students, QuantumCamp is known for its engaging science curriculum with fun, educational, hands-on lessons.
Two years into the pandemic, QuantumCamp has shifted in more ways than one. The result is leaning into on-demand science education to reach more kids, provide a lifeline to the education system, and get kids excited about science!
Developing an on-demand curriculum that can be accessible to individual kids, supplementing their school work, a homeschool community, or an entire public school classroom is helping QuantumCamp refocus its vision and embrace the future of education.
The evolution of on-demand science education
QuantumCamp was started by founder Michael Finnegan, PhD, in 2012, after spending several years teaching standardized science to Middle School students. As Michael settled into his teaching career, he struggled to understand why science had become such a dull and, in many ways, tedious topic when the very essence of science is experimentation and discovery.
Michael felt there was a better way. So, he ran a one-week summer science camp to see if he could help middle school students discover quantum physics. That's right, quantum physics. He didn't approach the topic with a focus on the kids learning quantum physics. Instead, the focus was on what they would discover because through discovery comes understanding, and from there, we start to learn. Plus, no one can learn quantum physics in one week. Still, with suitable experiments and direction, one can grasp the basic foundation of science and make mind-blowing discoveries, even as a middle school student.
Michael's approach proved to be effective and meaningful. Remember that feeling when something clicked? Especially when it felt novel and new? It didn't matter that it wasn't the first groundbreaking discovery on the topic. What mattered was you discovered something that shifted how you understand the world. Your discovery had meaning and helped explain the concept so you could understand it better and be excited about learning more.
As the years went by, QuantumCamp expanded its programs to offer academic year science courses to homeschool students and fun, engaging summer camps to fill summer breaks. Then came 2020, and the pandemic hit. Michael and his team quickly adapted and transitioned their programs online using Zoom. As a result, they could finish the 2020 school year with experiments and lessons based on what they knew the kids would have available around the house.
For the 2020/2021 school year, they created a hybrid approach to their program and spent the summer of 2020 figuring out:
how to design labs that students could do at home,
how to make science kits that they mailed to the students,
how to write fun and engaging scripts to keep the kids' attention, and then
how to have live education on Zoom while the students did the labs with the kits.
It was no small feat to master!
During the process, it became apparent that continuing with a hybrid approach was not tenable. The logistics were complicated, the cost was unexpected, and it wasn't an enjoyable way to teach science. Going hybrid protected the business and kept it going along with PPP loans, but more importantly, it provided a transition period to on-demand education. Hybrid education became one of those painful but necessary moments in business that allow you to gracefully step in the right direction, even if that step is jolting.
Going back to their roots
QuantumCamp has always been about making science accessible and fun for kids, and they started with a bang in 2012 by introducing a whole new way to teach science. However, as time passed and the programs progressed, the innovative scientific approach slowly evolved into more of a traditional science education. It's easy for these subtle shifts to happen over time: new employees come on board, opinions are shared, recent college graduates enter the workforce with a vision inspired by traditional education, and the curriculum is written, vetted, and edited by several people over time, slowly changing over time. It's easy to lose sight of the initial vision. We've all encountered this in our businesses. It's a natural course, but recognizing the slip, how and why it happened, and where to go next is the most important thing.
"What is this boring stuff you are teaching?"
~ A resounding question from past camper and new hire Joseph Martin
What reinvigorated QuantumCamp was directly related to the pandemic and hiring a former camper, Joseph Martin, who came on board as an educator at QuantumCamp for the 2020/2021 school year after graduating college. After watching a few hybrid classes, his main question was, "What is this boring stuff you're teaching?" For Joseph, QuantumCamp inspired his interest in pursuing a career in science. But it was the 2012 version of QuantumCamp's program and curriculum that Joseph experienced when Micheal was challenging the traditional, "boring" approach to science education. Joseph reminded Micheal what the initial intention of QuantumCamp was, why Michael started the program, how impactful science discovery was for kids, and why he needed to refocus the program. As a result, Covid became a catalyst for a significant change.
Achieving the goal of reaching more kids made possible
What started as a stop-gap measure to keep the business afloat has evolved into a new way of reaching more students with the QuantumCamp science curriculum, supporting the education system, and getting kids excited about science. It's an experiment in and of itself, but the approach is sound, the feedback is positive, and the potential impact is monumental.
Expanding the audience base
On-demand education opens up QuantumCamp's curriculum to a broader audience. It's now possible for kids worldwide to access the courses and benefit from engaging in hands-on science education. On-demand education is also flexible. Students can decide their schedules. Homeschooling can fit the program into their other lessons as it makes sense. Classroom teachers can fit the curriculum into their busy, overly scheduled week, knowing their students are getting the education they need to fully engage with sound science education.
The reach of on-demand education
An in-person approach restricts educators to a physical location, and a hybrid restricts students to a point in time. On the other hand, on-demand opens up a whole world of possibilities. When you think about it, this approach is not much different from what PBS was doing with educational television shows pre-internet. And, PBS is still trying to universally reach as many kids as possible with quality educational content. They do this by embracing new technology and distribution methods. So, why not other educators with specific visions and approaches utilizing this outreach to connect with more kids? It makes sense, but the process must be intentional, authentic, and dedicated.
Supporting the education system with on-demand learning
Covid's toll on the education system
The Covid pandemic has impacted every single industry and business around the world. Still, the educational system experienced something unique in its wake: fractures in the system were exposed, and we could no longer ignore the lack of resources (i.e., internet access, childcare needs, food accessibility, learning differences, etc.). Likewise, we could no longer ignore the many equitable and accessible education elements that were not being addressed. It was a wake-up call for all of us: parents, educators, administrators, politicians, agencies, etc. The question that will remain well after our lives resume a sense of normalcy is: who's listening and making a difference?
The many roles a teacher plays are unsustainable
The answer is, of course, complicated. QuantumCamp is one organization that sees the challenge public education faces and has an approachable solution. Micheal recognizes that the teaching experience has drastically changed since he left public education in 2012. In addition to educating, teachers are also social workers, translators, policy agents, guidance counselors, and advocates. It's an impossible task. So why not bring in the experts to provide the educational content and let the teachers do what they do best - educate and support their students?
The concept brings into question what we expect of teachers. Is it necessary for each teacher to create a curriculum to satisfy state standards, or can they elevate their educational approach with on-demand lessons that highlight the science and provide the teacher with resources to support the students in their education? Many teachers relied on Khan Academy for content and how to structure their classes to online education in 2020/2021, so why not expand this resource to lessen the burden?
Our expectation of teachers expanded from simply educating a long time ago. We have added more and more to their plate, which is far from an educational role. These added expectations burden the education system, the quality of education our children receive, and the longevity of a teacher's career.
The support QuantumCamp offers teachers
Can we expect our education system to continue on this course indefinitely? QuantumCamp says no and is betting on the need for educators to rely on resources that satisfy education requirements and require only their committed educational guidance with students. QuantumCamp does the rest with engaging education, content, experiments, labs, homework, and testing. QuantumCamp offers educators the opportunity to do what they do best - educate. No one needs to reinvent the wheel. The support comes from QuantumCamp.
Inspiring Kids through Science Education
To see the world and contemplate its complexities is a true gift. There are many avenues to experience this, and science is one. The ability to question and seek out an answer is one of the most invigorating experiences of childhood because the entire world holds the answers. It's just a matter of access and opportunity to be guided to the delightful scientific discoveries of our scientific forebears. So, why not approach science education with the same inquisition, curiosity, and ah-ha moments?
The "ah-ha" moments happening in science class with QuantumCamp's curriculum
QuantumCamp is doing just that. Their on-demand education does not outline what the children will learn in each lesson. Instead, they are opening the opportunity to discover something remarkably new to the student and provide them the experience of finding it independently. Considering how far we have strayed from science education, it's an insightful concept.
What happened to science education in the US?
I sometimes feel like my experience with science education throughout my public education years is long lost. In elementary school, we studied constellations, getting up at all hours to look at the night sky, and in another lesson, we dissected cow eyeballs and sheep hearts. We took semester-long physics, chemistry, and biology courses in middle school. And in high school, we had access to classes like Zoology, where we learned about the natural world and dissected squids and sharks, not to mention the continuation of chemistry with hands-on labs, biology, and physics.
I remember my science classes. They were engaging and fun and opened a whole new world for me. Science made an impact on my life because the lessons were tangible. And I continued with science throughout college because it impacted me at a young age. This is just one story, of course, but it's one of those "when I was a kid" moments we often have as adults, and once in a while, those moments can starkly illustrate what our kids do not have access to in their education.
A Perspective: The current state of science education
Last year, when my son spoke of his 5th-grade "science," which was quite frankly non-existent, I was numb. I know it's my responsibility to demand my child's education be stellar, but the mechanism and red tape one needs to go through to get one's voice heard is all but disheartening.
Many parents feel this way. We often feel resigned to the reality of the politics of our children's education, but maybe on-demand education is a way to circumvent this. Maybe there's a new approach to accessible, affordable, and fun education that, at the very least, supplements our children's education. Or, best of all, it will become the norm in the classroom, so teachers have the support they need to educate, and our kids leave feeling fulfilled in their education.
There's nothing wrong with leaning into resources. However, the responsibility is to rely on the resources that aim to achieve the student's educational goals - not appease the politics of the higher-ups. QuantumCamp is one such organization that takes its role in science education seriously and focuses on the student/teacher relationship first and foremost.
Because of Covid, QuantumCamp has redefined itself and discovered an avenue to bring science education back into the classroom and into kids' lives. It's more than just inspiring. It is empowering. It will have a lasting impact on future scientific discoveries as QuantumCamp broadens its reach in education and encourages kids to be curious, make discoveries, and experience how cool science can be.
QuantumCamp's pivot proves to be successful
Making a pivot in business is never easy, even when all the signs point to it being the best choice. However, as QuantumCamp began the process, Micheal soon discovered he was on the right track. He was able to secure a $100,000 SAFE Investment from Sanjay Srivatava. This working capital provided breathing room and the ability to move forward more quickly.
QuantumCamp also connected with early partners to share their content, receive feedback, and expand their outreach.
Khan Lab School used QuantumCamp's curriculum for its 2022 summer programming.
QuantumCamp is piloting 5 of Prenda's micro-schools with plans to expand into all 300 schools.
The Socratic Experience, a virtual school group, and Catalyst Public Schools, a charter school, use QuantumCamp for their core science curriculum.
Reach University, a teacher college, uses QuantumCamp's math and science curriculum as the basis of their STEM instruction for future teachers.
QuantumCamp worked with 30 homeschoolers in 2021/2022 and will expand their homeschool network in the 2022/2023 school year.
Through these partnerships, QuantumCamp is serving 250 students right off the bat. They aim to expand into 100 schools for the 2023/2024 school year and 500 schools in 2024/2025. And this is all achievable with focus, sound decision-making, and a steady hand. The initial support and response should not only encourage the QuantumCamp team to continue forward, but it should also be the source of motivation that they are on the right track and that on-demand science and math are needed and wanted in the education space.
A plan for the future
It is no small task, however, and QuantumCamp has its work cut out for them. Over the next two to three years, they will develop and release courses across all K-12 math and science. So, already, they are seeing the need for expansion beyond middle school. In each course, kids will do 60 lab experiments guided by 60 videos. Along the way, they will learn science through an innovative methodology, making the student the active discoverer, not the passive listener.
QuantumCamp's momentum forward is exhilarating! It's interesting to contemplate if they would have gotten to where they are today without the pandemic. It's tough to say, but one thing is for sure: QuantumCamp pivoted when needed, and they found the path forward open with opportunity and possibility. This is important for all of us to remember as we move past the chaos of 2020 and into a world forever changed. Maybe we don't need a global disaster to redefine our efforts and work. Perhaps all we need is a vision and the willingness to take a risk, trusting our abilities to find a new way forward, and knowing we are experts in our own right.
How did Covid redefine your business?
There's no escaping the impacts of Covid on businesses of all kinds. The child activity industry is one such industry drastically impacted by Covid, but with that came a lot of innovation, pivots, self-discoveries, and complete overhauls. In some ways, Covid positively affected the industry, but certainly not without real-world challenges and impacts. What was your business' defining moment during Covid, and what were the results? Share below. We'd love to hear from you!
About Michael Finnegan, Ph.D.
What if kids could do science and math … like right now ... like just for fun? I mean, if you think about it, if you mix together curiosity, riddles, and nature - you have math and science.
Bringing this to learners everywhere has been Michael’s mission, ironically, only after he started his teaching career. You see, the “system” mandated that Michael deliver a set of uncontextualized, boring topics to his students. And powers that be had the nerve to call this math and science!
Not having that, Michael quit and founded QuantumCamp.
With a Ph.D. in his back pocket, he studied how history's greatest scientists and mathematicians arrived at the most profound intellectual breakthroughs. He saw that, invariably, these pursuits were driven by simple curiosity and a fascination for our amazing universe.
In comes QuantumCamp. Michael and the QuantumCamp team are building experiences where kids connect to these same exciting journeys of discovery.
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