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The Bicester Collection Brings the Unlock Her Future™ Prize 2025 to South Asia to Support the Next Wave of Female Social Entrepreneurs

For its third edition, the annual entrepreneurship programme aims to drive change by identifying and supporting women social impact entrepreneurs from South Asia.

LONDON, Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Unlock Her Future Prize, an annual start-up competition for female social impact entrepreneurs powered by The Bicester Collection, is making its debut in South Asia in 2025, following its success in MENA in 2023 and LATAM in 2024.

The Bicester Collection Brings the Unlock Her Future(TM) Prize 2025 to South Asia.

Each year the global initiative travels to a different part of the world to identify and support women to launch and scale system-changing start-ups. The 2025 edition of this prestigious prize welcomes applications from women from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, aged at least 18, with an inspiring start-up idea that will generate a positive and sustainable impact on society, as defined by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Applicants’ start-ups can be either at the idea/validation stage, where they have a big idea for a new product or service with a tested prototype that is being validated, or at the launch/growth stage, for start-ups operating under three years and with less than US$1 million in revenue.

The winners will each receive a business grant of up to US$100,000 to launch and scale their start-up, an executive education programme with our academic partner, Oxford University’s Saïd Business School, bespoke leadership coaching to achieve their personal and professional goals, access to expert mentors and exposure through The Bicester Collection’s global network.

The Unlock Her Future Prize launched in 2022 following staggering research that showed if men and women were equally represented in entrepreneurship, global GDP could rise from 3% to 6%, equivalent to up to $5 trillion (The Boston Consulting Group). Yet, according to Harvard Business School, fewer than 3% of women-led businesses receive venture capital funding.

Now in its third year, as part of The Bicester Collection’s DO GOOD philanthropic programme, the Unlock Her Future Prize continues to build on its positive global impact and further advance gender equality across the world, championing tomorrow’s changemakers by supporting their business ventures and targeting the funding gap.

With grants of approximately US$600,000 committed and eight start-ups already launched and making a positive impact in their communities and beyond, the winners of the Unlock Her Future Prize 2025 South Asia Edition will join a prestigious alumnae network of social impact visionaries. They include Valentina Agudelo, Colombia(Salva Health), Thamires Pontes, Brasil (Phycolabs), Leydi Cruz, Bolivia (Agrimet), and Annie Rosas, Mexico (BlueKali) and Young Changemaker Kristal del Valle, Guatemala, from the 2024 LATAM Edition, and Noor Jaber, Lebanon (NAWAT Health), Sara Lalla, Iraq/ UAE (EcoCentric), Nubayr Zein Egypt/ UAE (Leaukeather), and Fella Bouti, Algeria (EcoTashira) from the inaugural 2023 MENA Edition.

“At The Bicester Collection, we’re dedicated to creating destinations where experiential retail meets purpose. With flagship locations across Europe, China and the US, we unite our guests and partners to drive meaningful change and make the lives of others better. Unlocking the potential of women, both locally and globally, is central to our mission. Female entrepreneurs need access to capital, education and influential networks. Through our philanthropic programme, DO GOOD, we provide the tools to help them succeed. The Unlock Her Future Prize empowers women to launch businesses, transform communities and create sustainable growth that leaves a lasting legacy for generations to come.” Chantal Khoueiry, Chief Culture Officer at The Bicester Collection

“Ashoka is committed to build a world where everyone has the power to give, contribute to change and be a changemaker ! We are also witnessing a historic moment of advancing leadership roles of women and girls in our society. We are very excited about this timely and much needed partnership with The Bicester Collection to help women entrepreneurs to create an ‘Everyone A Changemaker’ society and be role models for all aspiring female changemakers.” Shruti Nair, Leader, Ashoka Innovators for the Public, South Asia

“We are delighted to be partnering with The Bicester Collection for this initiative and to support the development of female entrepreneurs who want to make a difference. I’m passionate about giving women an equal chance when it comes to founding their start-up and this competition is an important milestone in a long-term mission by so many of us across organisations to create a level playing field. I look forward to welcoming the finalists of the Unlock Her Future Prize 2025 South Asia Edition to the Oxford entrepreneurial ecosystem and taking them on the next stage of their journey.” Kathy Harvey, Associate Dean, Oxford University’s Saïd Business School

Finalists for the Unlock Her Future Prize 2025 South Asia Edition, presented in partnership with The Bicester Collection, Oxford University’s Saïd Business School and Ashoka South Asia – the leading global voice on social impact, will be chosen by a Selection Committee of international business leaders and social impact experts. They will then be invited to a pitch day in the region in October, where they will present their start-up to an assembly of judges comprising high-profile women from South Asia.

The winners will be announced in November 2025 during a ceremony in the UK with Bicester Village, forming part of The Bicester Collection’s thirtieth anniversary celebrations.

Applications for the Unlock Her Future Prize 2025 South Asia Edition are now open until 10 March 2025. For more information and to apply, visit: https://www.thebicestercollection.com/en/do-good/unlock-her-future-2025/

@TheBicesterCollection #DOGOOD #UnlockHerFuture

About The Bicester Collection

Created in 1995, The Bicester Collection has reimagined the boundaries around the worlds of luxury retail, hospitality, live music and sports entertainment, curating extraordinary experiences for the world’s most discerning guests. Located in Europe, China and the US, The Bicester Collection’s 12 Villages are world-renowned as iconic, open-air shopping destinations. Each offers the world’s best brands at incredible value, as well as celebrated restaurants and peerless services. For more than a quarter of a century since its founding, The Bicester Collection Villages’ mission has been to make the lives of others better – from the communities it serves to its guests, brand partners and its people. Through its DO GOOD programme, The Bicester Collection aims to drive sustainable social change in support of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on unlocking futures for women and children, wherever they’re born.

The Bicester Collection brings together extraordinary live music and sports experiences at the first third-generation UBS Arena serving the New York metro area (home to the New York Islanders ice hockey team), a pioneering concert venue featuring the Isles Lab Team concept store. The Collection’s award-winning hotel destinations, Mission Pacific Beach Resort and The Seabird Ocean Resort & Spa (with its Michelin-starred restaurant, Valle; celebrated Sunny’s Spa & Beauty Lounge; and locally curated boutique The Ozone), are vibrant destinations in Southern California’s hidden gem, Oceanside.

The Bicester Collection exists to be experienced in the real world. To be actual, not virtual. To be lived. Discover more at TheBicesterCollection.com

About Oxford University’s Saïd Business School 

About Saïd Business School: Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford is a vibrant and innovative business school, embedded within a 900-year-old world leading university. We create programmes and ideas that have global impact and reach. We educate leaders, changemakers and innovators across every industry and sector. Our groundbreaking research and exceptional teaching transforms individuals, who transform businesses, which transforms the world. We create impact from within and are proud to have achieved a 51% majority female intake for our full-time MBA class in 2024. www.sbs.ox.ac.uk

About Ashoka South Asia

Ashoka has worked for 40 years as a leading global organisation in entrepreneurship and social innovation. In Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean it builds and cultivates a community of more than 800 active Fellows, Young Changemakers, Changemaker Institutions and beyond, who see that the world now requires everyone to be a changemaker – a person that sees themselves as capable of creating large-scale, positive change.

Together, amidst the exponential growth of a new inequality in changemaking at a worldwide scale, we mobilise (and accelerate) a movement to build an “Everyone a Changemaker” world where all people have the right and ability to co-lead solutions that transform their societies for the better. Find out more at https://www.ashoka.org

Video: https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2596805/The_Bicester_Collection_Prize.mp4

Smartkem Recaps 2024 Achievements and Sets 2025 Goals

MANCHESTER, England, Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Smartkem (Nasdaq: SMTK), which is seeking to change the world of electronics using its disruptive organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs), recapped its key accomplishments for 2024 and set its goals 2025.

CEO Statement
Smartkem Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ian Jenks commented, “2024 was a pivotal year for Smartkem. In December, we raised $7.65 million and, together with our collaboration partner, were awarded a $1.1 million grant for a project to develop the world’s first rollable, transparent microLED display. We uplisted to Nasdaq, increasing trading liquidity and broadening access to investors. We made significant strides in our plans to commercialize our proprietary semiconductor materials with strategic partnerships and collaborations with industry-leaders. We believe we have strengthened our position as a key player in the market for microLED displays, as well as packaging solutions for advanced computing and AI chips and CMOS for smart sensors. Looking toward 2025, we are focused on achieving qualifications and design wins with existing and new collaborations. We believe our technology will help drive adoption of advanced display and other technologies, with the microLED industry projected to grow from $150 million in 2024 to over $4 billion by 2031.1

Smartkem 2024 Highlights:

  • Entered multiple strategic partnerships and collaborations with industry-leading display manufacturers in Asia, North America, and Europe:
    • AUO to jointly develop the world’s first advanced rollable, transparent microLED display;
    • FlexiIC to develop low-cost, rapid turnaround custom circuits using organic transistor technology and a new generation of low-power CMOS-enabled smart sensor devices;
    • ITRI (Industrial Technology Research Institute) to enable product prototyping on its Gen 2.5 equipment;
    • Chip Foundation to co-develop a new generation of microLED-based backlight technology for Liquid Crystal Displays;
    • Shanghai Tianma Microelectronics to develop OTFT-based microarray biochips to amplify and process signals generated by TFT-based sensor devices; and
    • RiTdisplay to manufacture a new type of active-matrix OLED display.
  • Increased IP to 138 patents and 40 codified trade secrets, strengthening Smartkem’s competitive advantage in the rapidly evolving organic materials electronics industry.
  • Uplisted to Nasdaq.
  • Awarded a grant in partnership with AUO from the 2024 Taiwan-UK Research & Development Collaboration.
  • Exhibited and presented at key trade events, including Touch Taiwan 2024 and Display Week 2024 in San Jose, where CEO Ian Jenks gave the DSCC / SID Business Conference keynote speech.

2025 Goals:

  • Ship the first installment of Smartkem’s materials to Chip Foundation under our collaboration to develop a new generation of microLED-based backlight technology for Liquid Crystal Displays.
  • Sign a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) for a chip-first microLED display.
  • Complete qualification of Gen 2.5 ITRI process line.
  • Enter into additional collaborations and/or co-development agreements that further advance our technology toward commercialization.

“We thank our stockholders for their continued support and look forward to updating you on our progress throughout the year,” concluded Jenks.

About Smartkem
Smartkem is seeking to reshape the world of electronics with its disruptive organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) that have the potential to revolutionize the display industry.  Smartkem’s patented TRUFLEX® liquid semiconductor polymers can be used to make a new type of transistor that can be used in a number of display technologies, including next generation microLED displays. Smartkem’s organic inks enable low temperature printing processes that are compatible with existing manufacturing infrastructure to deliver low-cost displays that outperform existing technology.

Smartkem develops its materials at its research and development facility in Manchester, UK and provides prototyping services at the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) at Sedgefield, UK. It has a field application office in Taiwan. The company has an extensive IP portfolio including 138 granted patents across 18 patent families and 40 codified trade secrets. For more information, visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements
All statements in this press release that are not historical are forward-looking statements, including, among other things, its market position and market opportunity, expectations and plans as to its product development, manufacturing and sales, and relations with its partners and investors. These statements are not historical facts but rather are based on Smartkem Inc.’s current expectations, estimates, and projections regarding its business, operations and other similar or related factors. Words such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “believe,” “estimate,” and other similar or elated expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult or impossible to predict and, in some cases, beyond the Company’s control. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update information in this release to reflect events or circumstances in the future, even if new information becomes available.

1 2024 Omdia Report

Grand Sunergy: Be Member of Taklamakan Desert Encirclement Project’s Solar Wall

NANJING, China, Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In November, China has successfully encircled the Taklamakan Desert, often called the “sea of death”, the country’s largest and the world’s second-largest shifting desert, with a 3,050-kilometer green belt of vegetation and sand-blocking technology powered by solar.

The 500MW Photovoltaic Sand Control Demonstration Project is located on the southern edge of the Taklamakan Desert. Through the “Photovoltaic + Agriculture” comprehensive sand control mode, it strengthens the ecological defense line. In spring, sand fixing plants such as alfalfa will be planted under this 22000-acre photovoltaic panel, forming a model of photovoltaic combined with biological sand control to enhance the effectiveness of sand prevention and control.

Grand Sunergy, as the sole solar product supplier, after fully considering the installation environment in desert areas, designed the targeted high efficiency product for this project, with excellent tear resistance, corrosion resistance, and load resistance.

In addition, Grand Sunergy actively participates in other types of “photovoltaic+” projects to unlock more photovoltaic application scenarios.

Photovoltaic + Offshore

In Laizhou Bay, China, under clear blue skies, a magnificent PV matrix mirrors the vast, rippling sea, creating a stunning, dynamic tableau.

The project with capacity of 400MW (AC Side), as China’s first large-scale pile foundation fixed deepwater offshore photovoltaic project applied Grand Sunergy’s “Seapower” Series HJT module, to address the special application environments, Grand Sunergy has enhanced its G12 high-efficiency HJT modules through the upgrades on encapsulation, glass coating, waterproofing, anti-corrosion measures, and UV resistance.

Photovoltaic + Salt Pans

At the 600 MW salt-PV hybrid base in Laizhou, Grand Sunergy’s PV arrays stand like disciplined soldiers awaiting inspection.

This project not only generates solar power but also maintains the yield and quality of salt production through surface evaporation. This synergy boosts energy output by an additional 2%-3%, achieving a harmonious balance between salt production and solar PV power generation.

Photovoltaic + Transportation

On the highways of Hebei, China, PV panels installed on slopes and loop ramps shimmer like blue waves, absorbing sunlight and injecting green energy into the highway network.

About Grand Sunergy

Grand Sunergy focuses on the R&D and manufacturing of high-efficiency HJT cells and modules. The company is actively building industry supply chain, including silicon wafers, HJT cells and modules.

Grand Sunergy web: https://en.grandsunergy.com/

Grand Sunergy Email: info@grandsunergy.com

Global Financial Leaders Meet in Hong Kong to Explore Growth Engines


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 January 2025 – Around 3,600 policymakers, business leaders, investors and scholars from around the world are attending the 18th Asian Financial Forum (January 13-14) in Hong Kong, the region’s first major finance event in 2025. Themed “Powering the Next Growth Engine”, AFF features high-level discussions, deal-making and networking as well as insights from some 130 elite speakers on the latest developments in global financial markets and investment opportunities. With a focus on Middle East markets, this year’s programme includes a new Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Chapter (January 14).

Hong Kong SAR's Chief Executive Mr John Lee and representatives from around the globe attend the Asian Financial Forum.
Hong Kong SAR’s Chief Executive Mr John Lee and representatives from around the globe attend the Asian Financial Forum.

In his opening remarks, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR)’s Chief Executive, John Lee, highlighted the city’s status as an international financial centre. “Thanks to ‘one country, two systems’, we enjoy the strong support of our country China, while developing ever-expanding global ties, making Hong Kong the world’s foremost ‘super connector’ and ‘super value-adder’. Our established common law regime dovetails with the legal system of many major global financial hubs. Our professionals are proficient in both Chinese and English, and well-versed with the business practice of both China and the rest of the world,” he said.

The Governor of the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), Pan Gongsheng, said that, with strong support of the Central Government and the leadership of the HKSAR Government, Hong Kong has been actively enhancing its traditional advantages and grasping the new development opportunities, which has continuously stimulated great creativity and vitality, consolidating and bolstering its status as an international financial centre.

To fully support Hong Kong’s development as an international financial centre, Mr Pan said the PBOC would focus on four key directions: first, to support the development of Hong Kong’s capital market and continuously deepen the mutual access between the financial markets of the two places; second, to expand and strengthen Hong Kong’s position as an offshore Renminbi business hub; third, to enhance Hong Kong’s functions as an international asset and wealth management centre; and fourth, to resolutely safeguard Hong Kong’s financial stability and security.

During the first Keynote Luncheon, Financial Secretary Paul Chan underlined the city’s competitive edge, including a full range of funding options catering to the divergent needs of governments and enterprises at different development stages to fund their projects and scale up; and the innovative financial strategies to enhance product offerings such as securitisation of infrastructure loans and catastrophe bonds.

Former Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of the World Bank, Professor Justin Yifu Lin delivered the main Keynote Luncheon speech, sharing insights on the shifting global economic landscape, its impact on the international markets, and China’s current trajectory and its evolving role in the world.

Distinguished speakers from Pakistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Luxembourg and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development participate in a plenary session themed "Innovation: The Solution to Unlock the Next Growth Engines".
Distinguished speakers from Pakistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Luxembourg and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development participate in a plenary session themed “Innovation: The Solution to Unlock the Next Growth Engines”.

The debut GCC Chapter (January 14) was hailed as a significant milestone in financial services collaboration between Hong Kong and the GCC countries. Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Christopher Hui, identified green finance, securities market, Islamic finance and asset and wealth management as areas with enormous potential for bilateral co-operation. Secretary General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, emphasised the GCC’s aspiration to enhance dialogue and co-operation to achieve mutual prosperity.

Hashtag: #hongkong #brandhongkong #asiasworldcity #aff #asianfinancialforum #finance





The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

AI must be better integrated into investment process, new buy-side survey by SimCorp shows

Key findings in the 2025 InvestOps report:

  • A new report surveying 200 global buy-side operations leaders reveals that the majority (75%) understand the potential benefits of integrating AI, but need more information to integrate it into their investment processes.
  • The respondents qualitatively highlighted a need for AI to support with investment analysis, decision making, risk management, data management and client engagement.
  • The buy-side organizations plan to build more standardized data modeling (67%) and to consolidate systems for a common data layer (65%) to overcome challenges with their data infrastructure.
  • ESG investing continues to be the business area where respondents see the greatest opportunity for technological innovation (58%), particularly in North America (81%).

NEW YORK and LONDON, Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Buy-side organizations worldwide require more information on how to integrate AI into the investment processes, reveals the InvestOps Report, “Investment Management 2025”, commissioned by financial technology company SimCorp.

Based on a survey of 200 buy-side executives conducted by WBR Insights in Q4 of 2024, the report provides insights into the buy side’s challenges and priorities entering into 2025.

The survey shows that 75 percent of respondents understand the potential benefits of AI but need more information on how to apply it effectively to the investment processes, such as investment analysis, decision making, risk management, data management and client engagement. When asked which areas that would benefit most from the use of an AI tool, one respondent noted “An AI tool can be used to uncover risks that might have remained unknown to us”. Additionally, 16 percent feel unprepared to leverage AI, while 9 percent feel very prepared.

“AI is not about replacing jobs but augmenting human capabilities, enhancing decision-making processes, and increasing efficiency. However, the advancements in AI can deliver true value for investment professionals when supported by a unified data layer where all investment data is in one place, moving away from data siloes,” said Georg Hetrodt, Chief Executive Officer at SimCorp.

When asked how to measure the success of an AI tool in the investment process, the buy-side leaders prioritize increased efficiency in data cleaning (46%), followed by enhanced data visualization (42%) and accelerated time to insights (41%).

Addressing data challenges

The report also found that nearly half of respondents (47%) say their current data infrastructure is a combination of in-house and third-party solutions, leading to data challenges. The top three priorities for addressing these in the near term are building more standardized data models (67%), consolidating systems for a common data layer (65%), and utilizing AI tools for better insights and data predictability (65%).

“Data is the “key” to the front office, yet many firms struggle with fragmented and inconsistent data sources,” said Laura Kayrouz, Senior Partner & Global Co-Head of Investments at Alpha FMC and one of the report’s contributors. “The first step to overcoming this challenge is a thorough data audit to identify gaps and redundancies. Once completed, firms should implement a robust data governance framework to ensure data accuracy, consistency, and compliance. This framework will form the foundation for a centralized data management solution, capable of breaking down silos and enabling unified data access across teams.”

When asked about technology and operations, improving data and operations for multi-asset investment strategies (40%) ranked as the top initiative that the buy-side organizations are planning to implement. The main challenge for front office teams is the inability to manage multi-assets in one view (60%).

To effectively manage a multi-asset class portfolio — the primary challenge in supporting the front office – investment managers need a system architecture with a unified data layer that provides a total portfolio view in real time, with any changes made in one area of the business instantly reflected throughout the entire investment lifecycle for public and private markets. This is shown in the survey, where respondents plan to consolidate systems for a real time total portfolio view (64%) to address this challenge.

“What we see from this research is that investment managers increasingly need to invest in data strategies to support their goals and decision-making capabilities,” said Marc Schröter, Chief Product Officer at SimCorp. “Otherwise, when firms diversify their portfolios across more asset types, they risk adding complexity to their system landscape. This could lead to disparate silos of investment positions across the business, which slows the velocity of information and impacts the ability to scale. There’s a strong business case for data initiatives.”

Other key findings from the 2025 Global InvestOps report include:

  • Improving operational efficiency is the top strategic priority guiding technology and operations investments for 2025.
  • Inability to get a total firm-wide view of investments, risk and performance and launching new products in a timely manner are the key challenges for the buy-side firms’ existing current models.
  • ESG investing is the business area with the greatest opportunity for technological innovation in the next few years, particularly in North America and APAC.
  • Greater transparency in outsourced operations data tops the list for how the firms want to enhance their operating models in the next 24 months.
  • Focus on core business is the most desired outcome by using an external service provider for non-core business processes.

To learn more about the findings and to access the full report, follow this link 2025 Global InvestOps Report | SimCorp

Survey Methodology

In Q4 of 2024, WBR Insights surveyed 200 Directors of Investment Operations and similar across APAC, EMEA, and North America, to find out about the challenges they are facing in 2024.

The report itself will be split in four, looking at how respondents are balancing their strategic priorities, the impact of data, the evolution of operating models and technological innovations being brought to the table. The survey was conducted by appointment over the telephone.

The results were compiled and anonymized by WBR Insights and are presented here with analysis and commentary by SimCorp and the InvestOps community.

About SimCorp

SimCorp is a provider of industry-leading integrated investment management solutions for the global buy side.

Founded in 1971, with more than 3,500 employees across five continents, SimCorp is a truly global technology leader that empowers more than half of the world’s top 100 financial companies through its integrated platform, services, and partner ecosystem.

SimCorp is a subsidiary of Deutsche Börse Group. As of 2024, SimCorp includes Axioma, the leading provider of risk and management and portfolio optimization solutions for the global buy side.

About WBR Insights

We use research-based content to drive conversations, share insights and deliver results. Connect with our audience of high-level decision-makers in Europe and Asia from industries including Retail & eCommerce, Supply Chain & Procurement, Finance, as well as many more. From whitepapers focused on your priorities, to benchmarking reports, infographics, and webinars, we can help you to inform and educate your readers and reach your marketing goals at the same time.

CONTACT: Søren Rathlou Top, Soren.R.Top@simcorp.com, +45 31 15 87 06

LEGO® Education Announces Hands-on Learning Solution for K-8 Science

Hands-on learning helps build confidence, yet only half of students have access to these experiences in science class, according to a new LEGO® Education report. LEGO® Education Science aims to change that.

BILLUND, Denmark, Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Today, LEGO® Education announced its new learning solution, LEGO® Education Science, to help educators bring hands-on science learning to more students. Designed to boost engagement, LEGO Education Science features 120+ engaging, standards-aligned science lessons and ready-to-use class presentations that bring science to life for teachers and students (K-8 or ages 5-11+).

Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/lego/9312551-en-lego-education-science-hands-on-learning

Critical thinking skills and an understanding of science concepts and practices are increasingly needed for the future. Yet, the State of Classroom Engagement Report: Science Edition, a survey commissioned by LEGO Education, found that 45 percent of students who listed science as one of their “least favorite” subjects described it as “too hard”, and 37 percent felt they were “bad at it.” Notably, 58 percent of these students were girls, highlighting the ongoing STEM gap.

These findings underscore the need to reimagine science class to be more inclusive for students and teachers. In addition to understanding scientific concepts, science learning also plays a crucial role in developing skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and creativity. Every student deserves to succeed in science, and, together with educators, LEGO Education wants to make that a reality.

“Science teaches us to ask curious questions to understand the world around us,” said Victor Saeijs, President of LEGO Education. “If students think they’re not good at the subject or avoid it, we risk losing an entire generation of innovators and problem-solvers. We share your commitment as educators to excite and engage students with high-quality science education.”

With LEGO Education Science, teachers have everything they need to instantly engage students in scientific phenomena and spark student creativity and problem-solving through hands-on learning. Lessons are aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), state, and national standards to easily integrate into existing curriculum. Students will learn about biomimicry (NGSS-LS1-1), ways the impact of natural events can be reduced (NGSS-4-ESS3-2), changes in kinetic energy (NGSS-MS-PS3-5), and much more.

Each lesson starts with a big question to spark curiosity and invite inquiry, while also connecting scientific principles to the real world for deeper comprehension. Students will explore multiple paths to a solution, ask key questions, and work with their peers. Kits are designed for use by up to four students together, with each student taking an active role in the lesson. This supports different learning abilities and develops collaboration and communication skills.

“It was inspiring to see my students’ enthusiasm and creativity flourish,” said Jill Snodgrass, a fourth-grade math and science teacher at Kernan Trail Elementary (Fla.) who tested the new solution with her class. “The tactile nature of working with LEGO bricks helps solidify their understanding by connecting abstract concepts to tangible outcomes. They were so excited to see their finished build for the lesson, especially when the rattlesnake used its shaking tail to ward off predators. Their collaboration and joy were truly a highlight of the day.”

Hands-on learning makes learning more accessible for all students, yet only 55 percent of students globally get these experiences in science class, according to the report. LEGO Education Science unlocks ‘aha’ moments for students, empowers teachers, and engages the whole classroom with hands-on, collaborative lessons. Over 3,000 students in over 100 classrooms tested the new learning solution throughout its development.

“One of the most powerful things we can do as educators is to instill a lifelong love of learning in our students,” said Andrew Sliwinski, Head of Product Experience at LEGO Education. “LEGO Education Science supports educators across the world to bring science standards to life in a new way with ready-made lessons and high quality, reusable LEGO bricks and hardware. I can’t wait to see these learning experiences in the hands of students.”

LEGO Education Science will begin shipping in August 2025. To learn more and sign up for updates, visit: www.LEGOEducation.com/science.

About LEGO Education Science

  • Includes 120+ lessons, teacher materials, and carefully selected LEGO bricks and hardware to enable hands-on learning
  • Provides getting started materials, lessons, standards mapping, facilitation notes, and ready-to-teach class presentations through the online Teacher Portal
  • Flexibility for teachers to select lessons based on grade bands (approximately 40 lessons per kit) or in the way that best supports their curriculum needs
  • Designed for use by up to four students per kit for increased collaboration and engagement
  • Available in three kits by grade band. In the U.S., it is recommended to purchase classroom bundles, but if purchased separately, the cost per kit is included below. In other markets, please contact your LEGO Education authorized reseller for complete pricing and availability.
    • LEGO Education Science Kit K-2 ($329)
      • 277 LEGO bricks
      • 1 double motor
      • USB charging cable
      • Building instructions
    • LEGO Education Science Kit 3-5 ($399)
      • 335 LEGO bricks
      • 1 double motor
      • 1 controller
      • 2 connection cards
      • USB charging cable
      • Building instructions
    • LEGO Education Science Kit 6-8 ($499)
      • 424 LEGO bricks
      • 1 single motor
      • 1 double motor
      • 1 controller
      • 1 color sensor
      • 3 connection cards
      • USB charging cable
      • Building instructions

About the State of Classroom Engagement Report: Science Edition
A global survey conducted by LEGO Education of over 6,000 K-8 teachers, parents, students, and U.S. education administrators. Markets included Australia, Germany, South Korea, the UK, and the U.S. Total sample size: 6,650, including 2,400 teachers, 2,000 parents, 2,000 students (aged 5-14), and 250 U.S. education administrators. Fieldwork was completed May 15, 2024-June 15, 2024.

Download the report here. Key findings include:

  • Only a third (37 percent) of parents and half (52 percent) of science teachers surveyed globally believe students are engaged in science.
  • The majority of science teachers (73 percent) do not feel equipped to engage students in science, and 50 percent of U.S. administrators reported they don’t understand how to effectively use science-specific resources.
  • Most science teachers and parents surveyed believe science education cultivates curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving, which are critical skills in the classroom and beyond.
  • Students with access to hands-on learning experiences are 1.5 times more likely to be confident in learning science than those that don’t.
  • Three out of four science teachers who incorporate hands-on learning agree it fosters higher test scores and grades.

About LEGO Education
At LEGO Education, we are committed to providing educators and students with the most engaging, joyful learning experiences the classroom has ever seen. Part of the LEGO Group, our future-focused team of educators and innovators has built K-8 learning experiences for 45 years based on the LEGO brick, our learning through play methodology, and standards-driven learning outcomes. Together, we can equip every student with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed and empower them to rebuild the world better than they found it.

LEGO and the LEGO logo are trademarks and/or copyrights of the LEGO Group. ©2025 The LEGO Group. All rights reserved.

Media Contact
Kelley Brescia
Kelley.brescia@LEGO.com

Walletium Introduces the TEX Token

LONDON, Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Walletium lets customers manage digital assets and traditional currencies on their own terms — all in one place. With the help of Walletium’s native TEX token, sending tokens becomes simpler and faster — even if customers don’t hold them beforehand.

Walletium Wallet TEX Token – Dynamic Master – Telegram

TEX is the operational backbone of the Walletium network:

  • Transaction Fuel: Powers swaps and internal fees.
  • Real Utility: Grows with platform adoption, rewarding everyday usage.
  • Fair Pricing: Launched at $0.05, reflecting real demand rather than hype.

Central to Walletium is the Walletium Keyring, a universally formatted system for addresses and assets. Customers can freely import, create, and manage their addresses and private keys—without rigid workflows. We’ve designed Walletium to adapt to our customers, ensuring convenience never compromises security.

One of Walletium’s standout innovations is its near-zero fee internal transfers, covering token swaps and P2P transactions. Inside the Walletium ecosystem, customers can send tokens quickly and at minimal cost—even if they temporarily lack that token. TEX fuel dynamically covers these transactions, letting customers interact with any listed token whenever they need it.

To make Walletium user-friendly, we’ve integrated with Telegram via our Walletium Telegram Wallet. Customers can manage crypto on the go without extra installations or complex steps. Whether a new user or a seasoned pro, Walletium adapts to the user’s preferred style.

Walletium goes further than most wallets by offering direct fiat functionality. Load crypto into a virtual card and spend fiat wherever cards are accepted. No more juggling multiple platforms—store, send, and spend both digital and traditional currencies side by side.

Walletium is more than just another wallet; it’s the future of seamless finance. Join us and discover why Walletium is “One to Hold It All.”

LEGO® Education Announces Hands-on Learning Solution for Year 1-10 Science

Hands-on learning helps build confidence, yet only half of students have access to these experiences in science lessons, according to a new LEGO® Education report. LEGO® Education Science aims to change that.

BILLUND, Denmark, Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Today, LEGO® Education announced its new learning solution, LEGO® Education Science, to help educators bring hands-on science learning to more students. Designed to boost engagement, LEGO Education Science features 120+ engaging, curriculum-aligned science lessons and ready-to-use class presentations that bring science to life for teachers and students (Year 1-10 or ages 5-11+).

Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/lego/9312551-en-lego-education-science-hands-on-learning

Critical thinking skills and an understanding of science concepts and practices are increasingly needed for the future. Yet, the State of Classroom Engagement Report: Science Edition, a survey commissioned by LEGO Education, found that 45 percent of students who listed science as one of their “least favourite” subjects described it as “too hard”, and 37 percent felt they were “bad at it.” Notably, 58 percent of these students were girls, highlighting the ongoing STEM gap.

These findings underscore the need to reimagine science lessons to be more inclusive for students and teachers. In addition to understanding scientific concepts, science learning also plays a crucial role in developing skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration and creativity. Every student deserves to succeed in science, and, together with educators, LEGO Education wants to make that a reality.

“Science teaches us to ask curious questions to understand the world around us,” said Victor Saeijs, President of LEGO Education. “If students think they’re not good at the subject or avoid it, we risk losing an entire generation of innovators and problem-solvers. We share your commitment as educators to excite and engage students with high-quality science education.”

With LEGO Education Science, teachers have everything they need to instantly engage students in scientific phenomena and spark student creativity and problem-solving through hands-on learning. Lessons are aligned to the U.S. Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Science and Design & Technologies in the Australian Curriculum (9.0) to easily integrate into the classroom.

Each lesson starts with a big question to spark curiosity and invite enquiry, while also connecting scientific principles to the real world for deeper comprehension. Students will explore multiple paths to a solution, ask key questions and work with their peers. Kits are designed for use by up to four students together, with each student taking an active role in the lesson. This supports different learning abilities and develops collaboration and communication skills.

“It was inspiring to see my students’ enthusiasm and creativity flourish,” said Jill Snodgrass, a fourth grade maths and science teacher at Kernan Trail Elementary in Florida, U.S., who tested the new solution with her class. “The tactile nature of working with LEGO bricks helps solidify their understanding by connecting abstract concepts to tangible outcomes. They were so excited to see their finished build for the lesson, especially when the rattlesnake used its shaking tail to ward off predators. Their collaboration and joy were truly a highlight of the day.”

Hands-on learning makes learning more accessible for all students, yet only 55 percent of students globally get these experiences in science lessons, according to the report. LEGO Education Science unlocks exciting discoveries for students, empowers teachers, and engages the whole classroom with hands-on, collaborative lessons. Over 3,000 students in over 100 classrooms tested the new learning solution throughout its development.

“One of the most powerful things we can do as educators is to instill a lifelong love of learning in our students,” said Andrew Sliwinski, Head of Product Experience at LEGO Education. “LEGO Education Science supports educators across the world to bring the science curriculum to life in a new way with ready-made lessons and high quality, reusable LEGO bricks and hardware. I can’t wait to see these learning experiences in the hands of students.”

LEGO Education Science will begin shipping in August 2025. To learn more visit: LEGOeducation.com/science.

About LEGO Education Science

  • Includes 120+ lessons, teacher materials and carefully selected LEGO bricks and hardware to enable hands-on learning.
  • Provides getting started materials, lessons, curriculum mapping, facilitation notes and ready-to-teach class presentations through the online Teacher Portal.
  • Flexibility for teachers to select lessons based on year groups (approximately 40 lessons per kit) or in the way that best supports their curriculum needs.
  • Designed for use by up to four students per kit for increased collaboration and engagement.
  • Available in three kits by year group. Please contact your LEGO Education authorised reseller for complete pricing and availability.
    • LEGO Education Science Kit Year 1-2
      • 277 LEGO bricks
      • 1 double motor
      • USB charging cable
      • Building instructions
    • LEGO Education Science Kit Year 3-6
      • 335 LEGO bricks
      • 1 double motor
      • 1 controller
      • 2 connection cards
      • USB charging cable
      • Building instructions
    • LEGO Education Science Kit Year 7-10
      • 424 LEGO bricks
      • 1 single motor
      • 1 double motor
      • 1 controller
      • 1 color sensor
      • 3 connection cards
      • USB charging cable
      • Building instructions

About the State of Classroom Engagement Report: Science Edition
A global survey conducted by LEGO Education of over 6,000 Year 1-10 teachers, parents, students, and U.S. education administrators. Markets included Australia, Germany, South Korea, the UK and the U.S. Total sample size: 6,650, including 2,400 teachers, 2,000 parents, 2,000 students (aged 5-14), and 250 U.S. education administrators. Fieldwork was completed May 15, 2024-June 15, 2024.

Download the report here. Key findings include:

  • Only a third (37 percent) of parents and half (52 percent) of science teachers surveyed globally believe students are engaged in science.
  • The majority of science teachers (73 percent) do not feel equipped to engage students in science.
  • Most science teachers and parents surveyed believe science education cultivates curiosity, critical thinking and problem-solving, which are critical skills in the classroom and beyond.
  • Students with access to hands-on learning experiences are 1.5 times more likely to be confident in learning science than those that don’t.
  • Three out of four science teachers who incorporate hands-on learning agree it fosters higher test scores and grades.

About LEGO Education
At LEGO Education, we are committed to providing educators and students with the most engaging, joyful learning experiences the classroom has ever seen. Part of the LEGO® Group, our future-focused team of educators and innovators has built Year 1-10 learning experiences for 45 years based on the LEGO brick, our learning through play methodology and curriculum-driven learning outcomes. Together, we can equip every student with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed and empower them to rebuild the world better than they found it.

LEGO and the LEGO logo are trademarks and/or copyrights of the LEGO Group. ©2025 The LEGO Group. All rights reserved.

Media Contact
Kelley Brescia
Kelley.brescia@LEGO.com