Home
Funding Areas
About Us
When Jackson Ritchey was in high school, "I have wanted to work with virtual reality," the University of Arkansas student tells Arkansas Matters.
His solution? An app called Infia Serenity that pairs with virtual reality headsets to create calming environments for kids with autism and other special needs.
The app won the top prize at the McMillon Innovation Studio's spring 2023 Demo Day on May 3.
"Since early high school I have wanted to work with virtual reality," Ritchey says.
"To me, (it) bridges the gap between computer science, art, and functionality."
The app allows teachers and students to select digital environments, including a waterfall of wonder, a festival of lanterns, and a sea of tranquility.
Users can also customize the environments to their liking, including color temperature and saturation.
Serenity was inspired by Ritchey's brother, who has autism.
"My little brother has autism Spectrum Disorder, and I have become aware that there are several overlooked needs in the ASD community that need to be addressed," Kendall Jasper, the app's co-presenter at Demo Day, tells Arkansas Matters.
"I realized the potential of Serenity, and how revolutionary it can be in addressing this problem in the classroom."
The app is currently in beta, and
Selected Grant News Headlines
A customized collection of grant news from foundations and the federal government from around the Web.
'Safety, compassion, innovation': Beaufort Memorial honors top staff at Bemmy Awards.The Quality Services department took home the award for Department of the Year at BeaufortMemorial Hospital's...more
This ranking recognizes the leading children's hospitals in the U.S., featuring the top 50 hospitals.Cleveland Clinic Children's placed in all eight pediatric subspecialities: Cardiology and Cardiac...more
Mackinac Policy Conference left early childhood education off this year's agenda.By 2027, make Detroit a city that puts young children and families first, says James Ribbron, executive director of...more
Investing in tech to help children and communities thrive | Takeda Stories.How our Global CSR Program helped empower diverse entrepreneurs to innovate health solutions.29 Digital public goods...more
Greg Bourke is the author of "Gay, Catholic, and American: My Legal Battle for Marriage Equality and Inclusion" Bourke spoke at the Yale School of Management's Social Impact Lab.Bourke's final advice...more
Tesla plans to deploy a small fleet of robotaxis in Austin in the coming weeks.Tesla FSD 13.2.9 will still run a kid down while illegally blowing past a stopped school bus with red lights flashing...more
Awarded funding will support a wide range of activities between now and September 30, 2025.The FCCN initiative, supported by $85,000 in grant funding, will help build and sustain a Family Child Care...more
The Delivering Innovative Vocational Education through Virtual Reality Technology new workforce training program aimed at preparing individuals with disabilities for the program.DIVE-VRT delivers...more
Children are growing up surrounded by screens, apps, and smart devices.Being intentional about tech use goes a long way toward deepening interest in tech and creating meaningful experiences.Creating...more
Safeguarding innovation and trade secrets in American AI leadership Safeguarded innovation andtrade secrets in U.S.AI leadership.Testimony was given before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts,...more
Children News from...
Becton, Dickinson and Company
Social Entrepreneurship
Spotlight
When it Comes to Social Enterprises, Failure is the Best Platform for Innovation
In the world of social enterprises, failure is a cringe-worthy moment nobody wants to talk about. But, social entrepreneurs can benefit from their failures.
