Fund Me, KC: JUMP GEO uses whole-body movement to teach kids geography

Editor’s note: Startland News is continuing its ‘Fund Me, KC’ feature to highlight area entrepreneurial efforts to accelerate businesses or projects. If you or your startup is running a crowdfunding campaign, let us know by contacting news@startlandnews.com. Today’s featured campaign from Kansas City-based JUMP GEO spotlights a product to teach young people (and adults) about U.S. geography.

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Caroline Castor, JUMP GEO

Your name and title?

My name is Caroline Castor. I’m the creator of JUMP GEO.

What’s the name of your company and what does it do?

JUMP GEO is the world’s quickest way to learn geography. It’s launching a crowdfunding campaign soon on Kickstarter to bring to life the first in a line of educational products that makes learning fun, easy, and memorable.

Our product — JUMP GEO: The United States — is an interactive geography game that is played with a deck of self-correcting state cards on a large 4 foot-by-6 foot floor mat because kids love to move and jump around. As Plato said, “Do not keep children to their studies by compulsion but by play.” JUMP GEO uses whole-body movement and kinesthetic learning as a means to mastery. Current research proves that by engaging hands and bodies, minds become especially engaged.

Why are you launching this campaign?

Students in the United States fall way below proficiency in geography. The studies are alarming. Geography is so important. It is the foundation upon which to build an understanding of history, current events, politics, and so much more.

How much money do you hope to raise with your campaign?

Our Kickstarter funding goal is $20,000 but our real goal is several times that.

What do you plan to use the funds for?

We will use funds to pay for our first round of game production.

How are you differentiating your campaign or bringing attention to it?

We are doing a lot of networking and reaching out to bloggers — especially blogs for moms, homeschoolers, and educators.

Is there anything quirky, fun or unusual you’re trying with your campaign?

We have fun card expansions for stretch goals, including state capitals and national parks and landmarks.

I am lucky to have the most fun and creative team. One quirky marketing idea is to send a team member out on the streets of Kansas City sandwiched between cutouts of Delaware and see if people can name that state!