We have exciting news to share: Unruly Studios has been selected to receive a $200,000 grant from NewSchools Venture Fund as part of their 2025 investment cohort. Out of more than 1,600 applications from education innovators nationwide, we're honored to be among the 80+ ventures chosen to help build what's next in K-12 education.
This recognition is a milestone for our team and our mission—but more importantly, it's a vote of confidence in a better way to teach math, both in classrooms and beyond.
The Challenge We're Solving
Walk into most elementary classrooms and after-school programs today, and you'll see students spending an average of seven hours per day on screens, much of it in passive learning. Math, for too many children, has become something to endure rather than enjoy. The result? Anxiety, disengagement, and widening achievement gaps—particularly for multilingual learners, students with learning differences, and those from underserved communities.
We founded Unruly Math to change that story. Using our programmable Unruly Splats—durable floor buttons that students stomp on to interact with games—we've created a new approach to math practice that's active, collaborative, and genuinely fun. Instead of sitting at screens, students move, problem-solve together, and build confidence through play. And because learning doesn't stop when the school bell rings, we've built comprehensive courses specifically designed for after-school programs, bringing active, joyful learning to even more moments in a student's day.
Why NewSchools Matters
NewSchools Venture Fund is one of the most respected venture philanthropy organizations in education. Since 1998, they've invested over $400 million in early-stage innovators, helping shape solutions that have reached the majority of U.S. public school students. Their approach goes beyond funding—they provide coaching, strategic support, and connections to a network of fellow innovators committed to educational equity.
This year's $23 million investment across 80+ ventures reflects three key themes: connecting students to real-world opportunities, designing AI to strengthen teaching and learning, and creating communities of care. Unruly Math sits at the intersection of these priorities—we're building tools that give students hands-on, relevant learning experiences while reducing their dependence on technology that isolates them.
What We're Seeing in Classrooms and After-School Programs
The early results speak for themselves. Over 2,500 students and 80+ teachers have embraced Unruly Math, with 80% of educators reporting improved math outcomes. But the statistics only tell part of the story. We hear from teachers and program coordinators who say their most reluctant learners are now asking, "When can we do Unruly Math again?" We see students who once struggled with math anxiety laughing, collaborating, and taking risks—because they're learning in a way that feels natural and joyful.
In after-school settings, where engagement can be even more challenging, program directors report that students arrive excited and leave energized rather than exhausted. That's the power of active learning.
Looking Ahead
This grant from NewSchools enables us to expand our impact in three critical ways:
First, we'll reach more students who need us most—prioritizing schools and after-school programs serving multilingual learners, students with learning differences, and underserved communities.
Second, we'll develop comprehensive case studies from our implementations in NYC, Georgia, and Hawaii, documenting what works in both classroom and after-school environments and refining our approach based on real-world feedback.
Third, we'll strengthen our after-school course offerings and provide enhanced professional development and resources for both teachers and program coordinators, ensuring they have everything they need to bring active, joyful math learning to life—whenever and wherever students are learning.
Join Us
As Frances Messano, President and CEO of NewSchools, wrote in their announcement: "If we want a better future for our students, we can't keep tinkering at the margins of K-12 education. We need a new ecosystem of learning — one that truly prepares young people to thrive in school, career, and life." We couldn't agree more.
Thank you to our dedicated team, our pilot school partners, and everyone who believed in this vision when it was just an idea. This is only the beginning of what we can accomplish together.
Interested in learning more or bringing Unruly Math to your school or after-school program? Visit our website or reach out—we'd love to connect.
About Unruly Studios: Founded in 2015 by Bryanne Leeming, Unruly Studios is revolutionizing STEM education through active play. Our flagship product, Unruly Math, transforms K-5 math practice into movement-based games that build confidence, fluency, and engagement while reducing screen time. We offer solutions for both classroom instruction and after-school programs, creating active, joyful learning experiences throughout a student's day.
