Anurupa Ganguly, a graduate of MIT, observed that traditional education fails to engage students through relatable experiences. This insight led her to create PrismsVR, a company that provides virtual reality (VR) experiences designed to teach math and science concepts in a hands-on manner.
Instead of rote learning, students engage in real-world scenarios—like designing biomedical therapies or planning rural architecture—encouraging self-paced, student-led learning.
PrismsVR has reached around 300,000 students across 35 states, demonstrating improved algebra test scores by 11% in studies funded by the Gates Foundation. Ganguly emphasizes the need for educational reform, critiquing the digital adaptation of outdated methods and advocating for immersive, multimodal learning experiences.
Her journey began at MIT, where she became aware of the diminishing number of women in her engineering program and sought to address disparities in K-12 education. After teaching high school physics and math, she recognized the limitations of traditional classroom tools and saw potential in VR technology following the launch of the Oculus Quest headset in 2018.
Despite initial skepticism from investors, Ganguly secured funding from the National Science Foundation to develop her first VR module focused on Algebra 1. Through interactive experiences, students visualize complex concepts, such as virus spread during a pandemic, fostering deeper understanding and engagement.
As students interact with VR content, teachers can monitor progress and facilitate discussions. Ganguly envisions PrismsVR as a replacement for traditional textbooks, positioning experiential learning as the future of education. By 2025, the platform aims to provide comprehensive content through grade 14, transforming how students learn and connect with math and science.
