[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6252821,"mediaKeyId","3185737-2448bfa5666237e66dbf87e7f1a99bca","parentId",3185737,"title","Grand Rapids entrepreneur pitches esports expansion and seeks funding for statewide education initiatives","audioSeconds",176,"startMs",3474000,"endMs",3650000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3185737-2448bfa5666237e66dbf87e7f1a99bca&start=3474&end=3650","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3185737-2448bfa5666237e66dbf87e7f1a99bca/thumbnail_3474000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6252821/Michigan/Grand-Rapids-entrepreneur-pitches-esports-expansion-and-seeks-funding-for-statewide-education-initiatives","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6252821-6b89cbbf30059884815bf975da98cbb5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135133&Signature=VR3GoRmKhn5ctDIy-wt8EAwNYBs0gpfSc3jwsAltnyHYHuH1SrTbaq1es8LY49B7JKZLkUAOP0WB7ri0iUone3j2~tpLg2Jg-7~2ZrB340CNwLTlNGQ0NEEtlOO6gmZvtYO52dMm510wDkUj1Ch-gq-Di~AAqs~yINRex~HEhs7fNnT7nwbp0UYITNZRfHz05IQiR85X1A-ncFQ8DNpzmNIEJKN~2njyfenTKsz~V-dUgLyCl~vaYKAYpEl2DyNf5IHm4EPDVGDZuRYWJMs-M56R6EcTwNmu61DFqO8hRmaVsEgDvA3lzKhy2ZHNhH-ZdnARng4lTAh9KiVauF~nvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Michigan House of Representatives","date","2025-04-29T00:00:00Z","article","Dee Jones, who said he helped Grand Rapids Public Schools build six esports labs, addressed the House Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid and Education on April 22 to urge support for esports and related education initiatives.

Jones described partnerships with local colleges and national companies, said he helped arrange state‑level exhibitions and programming, and asked the committee to fund public education initiatives that expand esports and entrepreneurship opportunities. “I have brought a $32,000,000,000 company to educate at Ottawa Hills High School,” Jones said, and described plans for summer initiatives, a streaming app and tokenized products tied to esports programming for students.

Why it matters: Jones framed esports and related technology training as a career‑connected pathway for students in high‑need communities and asked legislators to consider support that would expand access across Kent County and the state. Committee members thanked him for attending and noted ongoing conversations with esports stakeholders.

Ending: Jones’ remarks were a public comment and pitch; the subcommittee did not take formal action on esports funding during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Appropriations - School Aid and Department of Education | Tuesday, April 29, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Dee Jones, an entrepreneur who helped build esports labs for Grand Rapids Public Schools, asked lawmakers to fund esports and related educational initiatives and described existing partnerships with colleges and private partners.","taxTitle","Appropriations - School Aid and Education, Appropriations, House of Representative, Committees\t\t\t\t\t, Legislative, Michigan","taxId",30768,"location","Michigan","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6252826,"Prisms VR founder urges state appropriation after reporting early gains in algebra using spatial VR learning",1259,3687000,4946000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3185737-2448bfa5666237e66dbf87e7f1a99bca&start=3687&end=4946","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3185737-2448bfa5666237e66dbf87e7f1a99bca/thumbnail_3687000.jpg","/articles/6252826/Michigan/Prisms-VR-founder-urges-state-appropriation-after-reporting-early-gains-in-algebra-using-spatial-VR-learning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6252826-504a940f1c9ffaa58b157a850ef7c3bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135133&Signature=RKRnA4f1CdV2j9-ty8BfChVYwBRVk6m-PL~BXJbY~dHPl7AhVJgA9q1SzPUDu5nvnN2DA3w7SzECq2Q8NtNwQelYZ~NONs94aJEolkSOsUVM7DmaWu3umnEQQ27cnXU944xGJv0brRKi0uooqkERd3Mp3BxFxKBwOgH-76502tr06EJl427qSirbrpVFcoLLlXuu5usfkWXgCLs5g6N9~f55-5wsm8jgOO6fAH~EL6YopofleQhNQ3kvVp6qhX2kfVe0O0AbdQsDJHcxLP0B72xSoFFQP~Ja~vl099fuCHk2qKIo0BhePM7cBcpMlBIPZr4upWCc2Dx2k~JH7zSTNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Anurupa Ganguly, founder and CEO of Prisms VR, told the House appropriations subcommittee on April 22 that Prisms’ spatial learning platform teaches standards‑based math and science through first‑person, career‑connected VR experiences and that early research shows measurable gains in Algebra I.

Ganguly described a learning design that places students in simulated, job‑connected roles—epidemiologist, building engineer, air‑traffic controller—so they can link tactile, spatial experience to abstract mathematics. “I got out of the public system 5 years ago to build the world's first spatial learning platform for core math and science,” Ganguly said. She said Prisms serves grades 6–12 and that teacher upskilling, job‑embedded coaching and a teacher dashboard are integral to the model.

Research and Michigan footprint: Ganguly said Prisms has reached about 15,000 Michigan students and is deployed in districts nationwide. She cited a randomized control trial with WestEd in Ohio that found an 11 percent increase on state Algebra I benchmark assessments in year one for students using Prisms modules. Ganguly told the subcommittee Prisms focuses on rural and Title‑I districts and requested a state appropriation to scale to another 50,000 high‑need Michigan students in the next 18 months.

Implementation supports and costs: Ganguly emphasized teacher institutes, two job‑embedded coaching rounds, hardware (spatial computing headsets) and curriculum alignment to standards. She noted that districts often lack funds for hardware and the professional development necessary to implement VR with fidelity; Prisms provides a teacher dashboard and classroom management controls so teachers retain oversight.

Questions and next steps: Representative Glanville praised the brain‑science approach and the committee thanked Ganguly for participating remotely; the subcommittee did not take formal votes on an appropriation during the hearing. Ganguly asked legislators to consider an appropriation to expand access for high‑need students and to fund teacher upskilling and devices.","Prisms VR told the subcommittee its spatial, career‑connected VR curriculum improved Algebra I benchmark scores in an initial randomized trial and requested state funding to scale to an additional 50,000 high‑need Michigan students.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6252829,"Mobile XR visits, state‑funded pilot touted as broadening career exploration; scaling and ROI questions remain",976,1860000,2836000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3185737-2448bfa5666237e66dbf87e7f1a99bca&start=1860&end=2836","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3185737-2448bfa5666237e66dbf87e7f1a99bca/thumbnail_1860000.jpg","/articles/6252829/Michigan/Mobile-XR-visits-statefunded-pilot-touted-as-broadening-career-exploration-scaling-and-ROI-questions-remain","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6252829-4ff3f227733e847ffbb74c60163403b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135133&Signature=hhPQGDExMpIQSEct~zv1p6QZsNkIjXX0MVslDWwu6bQfhaa5gR4zxLGqUc7RalXs01bZr2hAg9cTQLCw8GHoDHXSWcTomSZhjNi16YjHNdct4h1JqxkmPh84JX3ZWO0Y~pNR1WEo4mLugb6gn6dXzyuxFBqCf5vv-i4PFZaJPIieFnidZdPfSIjO6dT6hl7zbKjWvwKa2L1Ywk5WSkYVySs~OpqOhjBh~umuQIFKeaXtPuPucC6mJniZQbxyqZE9v2U0oy0ABsccc7sb3K8mD5JZ8RhINBC3ZBTwumZiBLShH28tffrvfN4uZ0yb4aK1DaGZsyug6Juw08DpNGTyBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Emerge, a Metro‑Detroit consulting firm, briefed the House Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid and Education on April 22 about its use of virtual and mixed reality (XR) to provide career exploration and skills simulations to K–12 students.

Joe Bamberger, founder and managing partner of Emerge, said the company’s mobile XR sites have visited 60 schools in 23 counties, reached about 8,000 students and have another 40 school visits scheduled this school year. He said the work was funded by the state through fiscal year 2023 and that demand has outpaced capacity: “we are in schools 5 days a week and having to turn schools down because of the demand,” he said.

Why it matters: Bamberger told lawmakers XR can let students sample dozens of careers through short simulations (for career exploration) and longer modules for skills development, and that simulations can be used where real‑world experiences are unsafe, expensive or otherwise impractical for classrooms. He said XR helps students narrow career choices and can connect them to job‑shadowing, internships and apprenticeships through a job‑connection platform Emerge operates.

Scaling and uptake: Bamberger said the FY23 funded project included six dedicated XR sites intended to be based at CTE centers; only three of those sites were accepted by local districts. He described the mobile site model—bringing headsets for half‑ or full‑day events—as “wildly popular,” but several legislators pressed him on whether mobile, one‑day exposures produce measurable returns compared with long‑term investments in counselors or permanent on‑site labs.

Budget and evidence requests: Representative Gencagnaro and others asked for data on outcomes, return on investment and whether XR visits increase CTE enrollment, internships or long‑term placement. Bamberger said Emerge can share introductions and internship counts and said some districts have reported higher CTE enrollment following visits, but he acknowledged more outcome tracking is needed and that many districts avoid permanent sites because of PD and management burdens.

Ending: Emerge offered demonstrations after the hearing and said it will continue mobile visits and pursue partnerships with employers and districts; the subcommittee did not vote on any funding or policy during the session.","Emerge told the subcommittee it has reached thousands of Michigan students with virtual and mixed reality career‑exploration simulations funded under a FY23 state project, but officials said some districts declined dedicated sites and lawmakers pressed for outcomes and return on investment.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6252835,"Manufacturers, DOD-backed institute pitch expansion of Ignite high-school manufacturing program in Michigan",853,229000,1082000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3185737-2448bfa5666237e66dbf87e7f1a99bca&start=229&end=1082","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3185737-2448bfa5666237e66dbf87e7f1a99bca/thumbnail_229000.jpg","/articles/6252835/Michigan/Manufacturers-DOD-backed-institute-pitch-expansion-of-Ignite-high-school-manufacturing-program-in-Michigan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6252835-9bc2791b97b13d8627bc261dca7d93ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135133&Signature=fKS951QV2ZAh~-wCd-8YWNU7fPGzU1fMU2S1-TEeMLtHpJ4qbgDsqadshswXkmd2kNUr29IqPfpeydRl0RUXgIiZsZXPvJLI0pnK2jj1cpHTEL3u3WMVUTfNuGLhLFqLPvBHLeWQEjQ030yg3OnbepvYerl5Y4K78ADrRlcqOybKCcYQceZnxUsCd-R2d0u8~ASK7BKtzoliZIPEGA1TvvcjFeYURRFwFyPBtV67Y7L2sPuVpfDjZU7NEIgzBBN6Gd3EfRghfUYQp89tVd8Ehgh3fpSsAF6HS2gps5yhtEz2lyNqC85ZeY88YqyXVhWO3DxG0uprktDy871oy~mF6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lyft’s national manufacturing institute and the Michigan Manufacturers Association told the House Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid and Education on April 22 that Ignite, a three‑year high‑school advanced‑manufacturing curriculum, is designed to build a pipeline of skilled workers for Michigan manufacturers.

Mike Johnston, executive vice president for government affairs at the Michigan Manufacturers Association, said the association has helped create more than 50 career‑technical programs around the state and that talent is “our primary barrier to competitiveness.” Johnston said Ignite focuses on “the digital future of advanced manufacturing” and provides industry‑recognized credentials.

Joe Steele, executive vice president of public affairs for Lyft (the nonprofit national manufacturing innovation institute headquartered in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood), told the subcommittee the institute was stood up with Department of Defense support and that its mission includes accelerating technology and developing workforce talent. “We are a department of defense supported national manufacturing innovation institute,” Steele said. He described Ignite as a six‑course, hands‑on sequence aligned to employer credentials and designed to teach advanced materials, mechatronics, motor control and digital manufacturing systems.

Why it matters: presenters said Michigan faces a sizable skills gap in manufacturing and that Ignite can give students credentials that some community colleges accept for credit. Steele and Johnston said Ignite has been adopted in about 50 schools across roughly 18 states with about 37,000 students having taken at least one course; Michigan’s FY24 budget provided funding to expand Ignite to two Michigan schools. Presenters named Troy, Athens (Oakland County), Dalton‑Kellogg (Kalamazoo area) and Macomb and Oakland community colleges as local partners and credit pathways.

Program details and local rollout: presenters said Ignite is structured as six semester‑long courses intended for grades 9–12 (most students begin as sophomores), includes teacher professional development, and is aligned to industry certification (presenters referenced alignment with a certification alliance shown on their slides). Steele said the capital cost for equipment to run the six‑course sequence is approximately $400,000 per campus; that purchase includes curriculum and teacher training that the presenters said is intended to avoid an ongoing burden on school budgets. Johnston said Lyft’s learning lab in Detroit has had similar equipment for more than a decade and remains operational.

Questions from legislators focused on local internships and employer partnerships, ongoing maintenance and curriculum updates, and whether the program will reach manufacturing clusters outside Detroit. Johnston and Steele said about half of their 390 national industry partners are within an hour of Detroit, that Lyft is developing internship opportunities and mobile/expansion strategies for schools outside the Detroit area, and that Lyft works with industry partners and the Department of Defense to update curriculum and add new digital content without asking schools to absorb those costs.

Ending: presenters asked the subcommittee for continued legislative support for program expansion so more Michigan high schools can add Ignite equipment and curriculum in upcoming school years. No formal action or vote on funding or policy was taken during the hearing.","A Department of Defense–supported manufacturing institute and the Michigan Manufacturers Association described Ignite, a three‑year high‑school curriculum that provides industry-recognized credentials and equipment (about $400,000 per campus) and said the legislature funded initial Michigan expansion through the FY24 budget.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Grand Rapids entrepreneur pitches esports expansion and seeks funding for statewide education initiatives

Prisms VR founder urges state appropriation after reporting early gains in algebra using spatial VR learning

Mobile XR visits, state‑funded pilot touted as broadening career exploration; scaling and ROI questions remain

Manufacturers, DOD-backed institute pitch expansion of Ignite high-school manufacturing program in Michigan