Education Stories
Esports collaboration with Ottawa University connects student talent to pro teams
A new partnership between the Kansas City Pioneers and Ottawa University is aiming to strengthen the Midwest’s esports ecosystem — and create a clearer path from college competition to the professional stage.
Johnson County senior wins Congressional App Challenge with his school workflow workaround
Drake Semchyshyn turned a personal pain point at school into an award-winning app. The Blue Valley West senior created Catalyst — designed to improve students’ academic experience within Canvas, a widely used learning management system — winning the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for Kansas’ Third District. “The Canvas student application basically manages grades, assignments, submissions,…
CodeAlgo Academy hits classrooms as the edtech platform (and founder) proves independence
After years of putting the building blocks together, Triumfia Houmbie Fulks’ edtech startup has officially entered the game, the founder said, noting she launched the coding platform into area schools this fall. The move pushes Kansas City-based CodeAlgo Academy beyond beta and into real K-8 classrooms where students are actively solving problems, creating games, and…
811 Retail’s impact sells itself, incubator leader says; counter space opens for 5 entrepreneurs
The 811 Retail Incubator’s first 18 months met every expectation, Dan Smith shared, including proving The Porter House KC’s core theory: combining below-market retail space with real-world education creates a “learn while you earn” environment. A handful of spots within Kansas City’s first retail incubator have now reopened at 811 E. 31st St. after it…
Here’s how three UMKC student teams are prepping for the RooLink Digital Healthcare Sprint
Editor’s note: This story was first published by Tech Venture Studio at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Click here to read the original story. Through the RooLink Digital Healthcare Sprint, three University of Missouri-Kansas City graduate student-led teams are developing digital healthcare-related innovations as a major step on the path toward commercialization. Teams may apply for up…
