Contract Open

iLumaCap Coder: An Embodied, Dance-Based Platform for Teaching Core Coding Concepts in Grades 6–8

NCER

Program: Small Business Innovation Research

Award amount: $250,000

Project director: Darryl Thomas

Awardee:

Inspiration Dance Company, LLC

Year: 2025

Award period: 8 months (09/12/2025 - 05/11/2026)

Project type:

Phase I Development

Contract number: 91990025C0108

Purpose

By eighth grade, many students—especially girls and historically underrepresented learners—disengage from computer science. iLumaCap Coder addresses this gap by merging movement, culture, and coding in a low-lift classroom format. Students wear a comfortable LED cap with a motion sensor while learning loops, conditionals, and functions through short dance routines. Large-print, color-coded “Dance Code Cards” (with QR codes) let students assemble simple programs that the browser-based AI Buddy translates to the cap. Immediate motion-to-light feedback makes abstract ideas tangible, while teacher-friendly tools reduce setup and troubleshooting time. Phase I will develop a working beta prototype and conduct feasibility testing in Title I middle schools to assess usability, learning gains, reliability, accessibility, and readiness for broader adoption.

Project Activities

The team will build and integrate three components: (1) iLumaCap hardware (LEDs, motion sensor/IMU, microcontroller, rechargeable battery, over-the-air updates); (2) Dance Code Cards aligned to loops, conditionals, and functions; and (3) the browser-based AI Buddy with instant, classroom-relevant hints and a teacher view. Development milestones include measurable gates for performance (e.g., movement-to-light p95 <150 ms), usability (SUS ≥70), reliability (≤2 LED misfires/10 minutes), and setup time (≤5 minutes). Privacy and safety (COPPA/FERPA notices, pseudonymous student IDs, 90-day log retention, battery/charger checks) are built in. Two consecutive 6-week pilots in Title I middle schools will examine feasibility, usability, pre-/post-learning gains on a 10-item concept quiz, teacher adoption intent, equity outcomes (by gender/URM status), and accessibility use. Results will inform Phase II plans (expanded content, advanced AI support) and commercialization pathways (Oregon-first with school-friendly purchasing options).