Less Screen Time, More Play Time: Georgia's Statewide Push for Active STEM Learning

ATLANTA, Sept. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Across Georgia, students are jumping, stomping, and laughing their way into STEM—and it's no accident. Thanks to a new partnership between Unruly Studios, the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network (GSAN), and the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE), thousands of K–5 students are gaining access to a new way of learning that combines coding, math, and movement.

Through this statewide initiative, 20 afterschool and summer programs at 106 sites serving nearly 7,000 students are being equipped with Unruly Splats®—programmable floor buttons that light up, make sounds, and record points when stomped on. With funding from GaDOE, programs receive not only equipment but also professional development, 130+ hours of standards-aligned curriculum, and ongoing support.

A Reset on Screen Time

At a time when students spend an average of more than seven hours per day on screens, this partnership provides a critical reset. Splats blend physical activity with collaboration and creativity, turning lessons into games that kids can't wait to play. No prior tech experience is required—just a willingness from educators to press play, clear a little space, and let kids learn on their feet.

"Every stomp, jump, and laugh is a chance to learn," said Bryanne Leeming, Founder of Unruly Studios. "When kids are moving together, they're not just practicing math and coding—they're discovering that learning can be joyful, social, and fun."

Expanding Access Where It's Needed Most

The program was designed to prioritize equity. Nearly 3,000 students in rural areas are included, along with more than 6,500 students who qualify for free and reduced lunch. Many of these communities have not traditionally had access to emerging STEM tools, making the impact especially meaningful.

GSAN helped design a thoughtful application and onboarding process, ensuring that each site received not only equipment but also training and support to foster lasting success. Local program leaders—nicknamed "Unruly Champions"—have already started implementing Splats in gyms, community centers, and classrooms across the state.

"This partnership helps kids move, connect, and build STEM skills that will serve them long after the school day ends," said Patrice Holt, Quality Manager at GSAN of Voices for Georgia's Children.

Early Impact in Communities

Educators are already reporting unprecedented levels of student engagement.

"The excitement of implementing Unruly Splats into our summer camp and soon-to-be school year is unmatched," said Charon Prophet, Founder and CEO of Elevation of 5c's in Hogansville, GA. "Our students are exercising while thinking, building motor skills, strategizing with peers, and improving with confidence daily."

From Macon to Albany to Hogansville, the first cohort of sites is proving that movement is not a distraction from learning—it's a gateway to it.

Looking Ahead

With two years of full funding from GaDOE, the program is set to capture measurable academic and wellness outcomes while building a model that other states can replicate. Unruly Studios and GSAN will continue to share stories from the field in the coming months, highlighting student voices, educator experiences, and statewide impact.

Georgia is proving that learning doesn't have to be static, silent, or solitary. It can be joyful. It can be active. And it can start with a stomp.

Media Contact:
Bryanne Leeming
[email protected]

SOURCE Unruly Studios Inc