An innovative curricular school strategy for the empowerment of calculation skills

in children aged 4 to 12 yrs

Milano May 2017

The Company

Sapyent is an Innovative Social Start-up founded in 2016 by Luca Cenci ndash entrepreneur andmarketing specialist ndash Elisa Passerini and Gian Marco Malagoli

Elisa Passerini is an infant and primary school teacher specialized in mathematics and Englishand teachersrsquo trainer Gian Marco Malagoli is a secondary school teacher teacherrsquos trainerexpert in learning disabilities and in calculation strategies He is one of the few experts in Italyon Vedic calculation and on other special calculation techniques

Sapyent launched two initiatives

Sapyent (wwwsapyentcom) a continuous training web-based platform recently launchedwith the mission of proposing to Italian Professionals of Education contents aimed atmaking their everyday life in school easier and more comfortable by learningcommunication and relation-building skills and competences

MagicoAbaco (wwwmagicoabacoit) an innovative strategy for the empowerment ofcalculation skills in children aged 4 to 12 based on the Japanese Soroban abacus

2

The Company

Sapyent is an Innovative Social Start-up founded in 2016 by Luca Cenci ndash entrepreneur andmarketing specialist ndash Elisa Passerini and Gian Marco Malagoli

Elisa Passerini is an infant and primary school teacher specialized in mathematics and Englishand teachersrsquo trainer Gian Marco Malagoli is a secondary school teacher teacherrsquos trainerexpert in learning disabilities and in calculation strategies He is one of the few experts in Italyon Vedic calculation and on other special calculation techniques

Sapyent launched two initiatives

Sapyent (wwwsapyentcom) a continuous training web-based platform recently launchedwith the mission of proposing to Italian Professionals of Education contents aimed atmaking their everyday life in school easier and more comfortable by learningcommunication and relation-building skills and competences

MagicoAbaco (wwwmagicoabacoit) an innovative strategy for the empowerment ofcalculation skills in children aged 4 to 12 based on the Japanese Soroban abacus

2

On Sapyent contents are filmed in a professional way trying to make every video (averagely no longer than 20 minutes withthe exception of conferences) as usable and likeable as possible Currently Sapyent has 268 active subscribers

3

Empowering childrensrsquo computational skills

4

The objective

Everyday school experience particularly in Italyconfirms that calculation skills and mathrepresent a very serious problem which moststudents will drag along on for many years

We believe that such problem which also has asensible impact on parents and familiesrsquoeveryday life finds its cause not in childrensrsquoinabilities but on the contrary itrsquos due toinadequate didactic methods traditionally usedin Italian schools

The use of Soroban abacus since the age of 4 allows children to learn how to calculate withspeed and precision thus also avoiding the frustrations they suffer when consideringnumbers only such as unbeatable enemies

5

Abacus an ancient device

The abacus originates more than twothousand years ago as a tool helpingmerchants to perform the necessarycommercial calculations Compared to calculi(small pebbles) and fingers the abacusaccelerated the achievement of results

Over the centuries also in the wake of theChinese experience the Soroban abacus hasbeen developed and perfected in Japan and itis used since 1938 in all Japanese schools forthe enhancement of computing skills fromchildhood age

Reproduction of a Roman abacus derived from the Babylonian abacus

Calculation with the Soroban abacus ndash from Jinkōki (塵劫記) by Yoshida Mitsuyoshi edition printed in 1641

6

From abacus to mental calculation

The effectiveness of an analog instrument such as theabacus soroban is based on two key functions thatenable the child to

display touch the pieces that represent the numbers building operations matching several pieces

This gives the child complete control of numbers andoperations

Not only by exercise the child comes to the creation ofhis own mental abacus allowing him to performincreasingly complex tasks viewing in ones mind thepieces and placing them by moving hisher fingers in theair in front of him

7

Scientific evidence on Soroban abacus

ldquoThe first effect is improvement of numerical memory The second is improvement of memory in spatial arrangement The third isprogress in solving general mathematical problems taught in elementary school including the four fundamental arithmeticcalculations and word problemsrdquo

Prof Shizuko Amaiwa Professor Shinshu University Faculty of Education Japan

ldquoThere are many different ways to activate the brain and one of them is the calculation with the abacus In the abacus method ofcalculation the abacus is not only the best way to exercise fingertips but also positively influences the right brain to be activatedrdquo

DrToshio Hayashi Doctor of Engineering Professor Osaka Prefecture University Director Research Institute for Advanced Science and Technology

(While using abacus) ldquoUsually the left temporal region is used for calculation but here it was almost entirely unused Instead the bwaves appeared on the right occipital region In other words the student carried out calculation using the right brain(hellip) Usuallyordinary people calculate in their mind using inner voice as in one hundred minus 7 is 93 They put mathematical notions intowords On the other hand abacus users simply visualize an image of abacus in their head They do not replace the image intowords This difference can be seen clearly in the EEGs (hellip) hellip the ability to visualize can be put to use for other subjects andbehaviors Some abacus experts use their ability for memorizing whole page of textbook or years in historyrdquo

Ms Kimiko Kawano - Researcher Nippon Medical School Center for Informatics and Sciences

Full articles available at the following URL httpwwwshuzanjpenglishbrainbrainhtml

8

Empowering childrensrsquo computational skills

4

The objective

Everyday school experience particularly in Italyconfirms that calculation skills and mathrepresent a very serious problem which moststudents will drag along on for many years

We believe that such problem which also has asensible impact on parents and familiesrsquoeveryday life finds its cause not in childrensrsquoinabilities but on the contrary itrsquos due toinadequate didactic methods traditionally usedin Italian schools

The use of Soroban abacus since the age of 4 allows children to learn how to calculate withspeed and precision thus also avoiding the frustrations they suffer when consideringnumbers only such as unbeatable enemies

5

Abacus an ancient device

The abacus originates more than twothousand years ago as a tool helpingmerchants to perform the necessarycommercial calculations Compared to calculi(small pebbles) and fingers the abacusaccelerated the achievement of results

Over the centuries also in the wake of theChinese experience the Soroban abacus hasbeen developed and perfected in Japan and itis used since 1938 in all Japanese schools forthe enhancement of computing skills fromchildhood age

Reproduction of a Roman abacus derived from the Babylonian abacus

Calculation with the Soroban abacus ndash from Jinkōki (塵劫記) by Yoshida Mitsuyoshi edition printed in 1641

6

From abacus to mental calculation

The effectiveness of an analog instrument such as theabacus soroban is based on two key functions thatenable the child to

display touch the pieces that represent the numbers building operations matching several pieces

This gives the child complete control of numbers andoperations

Not only by exercise the child comes to the creation ofhis own mental abacus allowing him to performincreasingly complex tasks viewing in ones mind thepieces and placing them by moving hisher fingers in theair in front of him

7

Scientific evidence on Soroban abacus

ldquoThe first effect is improvement of numerical memory The second is improvement of memory in spatial arrangement The third isprogress in solving general mathematical problems taught in elementary school including the four fundamental arithmeticcalculations and word problemsrdquo

Prof Shizuko Amaiwa Professor Shinshu University Faculty of Education Japan

ldquoThere are many different ways to activate the brain and one of them is the calculation with the abacus In the abacus method ofcalculation the abacus is not only the best way to exercise fingertips but also positively influences the right brain to be activatedrdquo

DrToshio Hayashi Doctor of Engineering Professor Osaka Prefecture University Director Research Institute for Advanced Science and Technology

(While using abacus) ldquoUsually the left temporal region is used for calculation but here it was almost entirely unused Instead the bwaves appeared on the right occipital region In other words the student carried out calculation using the right brain(hellip) Usuallyordinary people calculate in their mind using inner voice as in one hundred minus 7 is 93 They put mathematical notions intowords On the other hand abacus users simply visualize an image of abacus in their head They do not replace the image intowords This difference can be seen clearly in the EEGs (hellip) hellip the ability to visualize can be put to use for other subjects andbehaviors Some abacus experts use their ability for memorizing whole page of textbook or years in historyrdquo

Ms Kimiko Kawano - Researcher Nippon Medical School Center for Informatics and Sciences

Full articles available at the following URL httpwwwshuzanjpenglishbrainbrainhtml

8

The objective

Everyday school experience particularly in Italyconfirms that calculation skills and mathrepresent a very serious problem which moststudents will drag along on for many years

We believe that such problem which also has asensible impact on parents and familiesrsquoeveryday life finds its cause not in childrensrsquoinabilities but on the contrary itrsquos due toinadequate didactic methods traditionally usedin Italian schools

The use of Soroban abacus since the age of 4 allows children to learn how to calculate withspeed and precision thus also avoiding the frustrations they suffer when consideringnumbers only such as unbeatable enemies

5

Abacus an ancient device

The abacus originates more than twothousand years ago as a tool helpingmerchants to perform the necessarycommercial calculations Compared to calculi(small pebbles) and fingers the abacusaccelerated the achievement of results

Over the centuries also in the wake of theChinese experience the Soroban abacus hasbeen developed and perfected in Japan and itis used since 1938 in all Japanese schools forthe enhancement of computing skills fromchildhood age

Reproduction of a Roman abacus derived from the Babylonian abacus

Calculation with the Soroban abacus ndash from Jinkōki (塵劫記) by Yoshida Mitsuyoshi edition printed in 1641

6

From abacus to mental calculation

The effectiveness of an analog instrument such as theabacus soroban is based on two key functions thatenable the child to

display touch the pieces that represent the numbers building operations matching several pieces

This gives the child complete control of numbers andoperations

Not only by exercise the child comes to the creation ofhis own mental abacus allowing him to performincreasingly complex tasks viewing in ones mind thepieces and placing them by moving hisher fingers in theair in front of him

7

Scientific evidence on Soroban abacus

ldquoThe first effect is improvement of numerical memory The second is improvement of memory in spatial arrangement The third isprogress in solving general mathematical problems taught in elementary school including the four fundamental arithmeticcalculations and word problemsrdquo

Prof Shizuko Amaiwa Professor Shinshu University Faculty of Education Japan

ldquoThere are many different ways to activate the brain and one of them is the calculation with the abacus In the abacus method ofcalculation the abacus is not only the best way to exercise fingertips but also positively influences the right brain to be activatedrdquo

DrToshio Hayashi Doctor of Engineering Professor Osaka Prefecture University Director Research Institute for Advanced Science and Technology

(While using abacus) ldquoUsually the left temporal region is used for calculation but here it was almost entirely unused Instead the bwaves appeared on the right occipital region In other words the student carried out calculation using the right brain(hellip) Usuallyordinary people calculate in their mind using inner voice as in one hundred minus 7 is 93 They put mathematical notions intowords On the other hand abacus users simply visualize an image of abacus in their head They do not replace the image intowords This difference can be seen clearly in the EEGs (hellip) hellip the ability to visualize can be put to use for other subjects andbehaviors Some abacus experts use their ability for memorizing whole page of textbook or years in historyrdquo

Ms Kimiko Kawano - Researcher Nippon Medical School Center for Informatics and Sciences

Full articles available at the following URL httpwwwshuzanjpenglishbrainbrainhtml

8

Abacus an ancient device

The abacus originates more than twothousand years ago as a tool helpingmerchants to perform the necessarycommercial calculations Compared to calculi(small pebbles) and fingers the abacusaccelerated the achievement of results

Over the centuries also in the wake of theChinese experience the Soroban abacus hasbeen developed and perfected in Japan and itis used since 1938 in all Japanese schools forthe enhancement of computing skills fromchildhood age

Reproduction of a Roman abacus derived from the Babylonian abacus

Calculation with the Soroban abacus ndash from Jinkōki (塵劫記) by Yoshida Mitsuyoshi edition printed in 1641

6

From abacus to mental calculation

The effectiveness of an analog instrument such as theabacus soroban is based on two key functions thatenable the child to

display touch the pieces that represent the numbers building operations matching several pieces

This gives the child complete control of numbers andoperations

Not only by exercise the child comes to the creation ofhis own mental abacus allowing him to performincreasingly complex tasks viewing in ones mind thepieces and placing them by moving hisher fingers in theair in front of him

7

Scientific evidence on Soroban abacus

ldquoThe first effect is improvement of numerical memory The second is improvement of memory in spatial arrangement The third isprogress in solving general mathematical problems taught in elementary school including the four fundamental arithmeticcalculations and word problemsrdquo

Prof Shizuko Amaiwa Professor Shinshu University Faculty of Education Japan

ldquoThere are many different ways to activate the brain and one of them is the calculation with the abacus In the abacus method ofcalculation the abacus is not only the best way to exercise fingertips but also positively influences the right brain to be activatedrdquo

DrToshio Hayashi Doctor of Engineering Professor Osaka Prefecture University Director Research Institute for Advanced Science and Technology

(While using abacus) ldquoUsually the left temporal region is used for calculation but here it was almost entirely unused Instead the bwaves appeared on the right occipital region In other words the student carried out calculation using the right brain(hellip) Usuallyordinary people calculate in their mind using inner voice as in one hundred minus 7 is 93 They put mathematical notions intowords On the other hand abacus users simply visualize an image of abacus in their head They do not replace the image intowords This difference can be seen clearly in the EEGs (hellip) hellip the ability to visualize can be put to use for other subjects andbehaviors Some abacus experts use their ability for memorizing whole page of textbook or years in historyrdquo

Ms Kimiko Kawano - Researcher Nippon Medical School Center for Informatics and Sciences

Full articles available at the following URL httpwwwshuzanjpenglishbrainbrainhtml

8

From abacus to mental calculation

The effectiveness of an analog instrument such as theabacus soroban is based on two key functions thatenable the child to

display touch the pieces that represent the numbers building operations matching several pieces

This gives the child complete control of numbers andoperations

Not only by exercise the child comes to the creation ofhis own mental abacus allowing him to performincreasingly complex tasks viewing in ones mind thepieces and placing them by moving hisher fingers in theair in front of him

7

Scientific evidence on Soroban abacus

ldquoThe first effect is improvement of numerical memory The second is improvement of memory in spatial arrangement The third isprogress in solving general mathematical problems taught in elementary school including the four fundamental arithmeticcalculations and word problemsrdquo

Prof Shizuko Amaiwa Professor Shinshu University Faculty of Education Japan

ldquoThere are many different ways to activate the brain and one of them is the calculation with the abacus In the abacus method ofcalculation the abacus is not only the best way to exercise fingertips but also positively influences the right brain to be activatedrdquo

DrToshio Hayashi Doctor of Engineering Professor Osaka Prefecture University Director Research Institute for Advanced Science and Technology

(While using abacus) ldquoUsually the left temporal region is used for calculation but here it was almost entirely unused Instead the bwaves appeared on the right occipital region In other words the student carried out calculation using the right brain(hellip) Usuallyordinary people calculate in their mind using inner voice as in one hundred minus 7 is 93 They put mathematical notions intowords On the other hand abacus users simply visualize an image of abacus in their head They do not replace the image intowords This difference can be seen clearly in the EEGs (hellip) hellip the ability to visualize can be put to use for other subjects andbehaviors Some abacus experts use their ability for memorizing whole page of textbook or years in historyrdquo

Ms Kimiko Kawano - Researcher Nippon Medical School Center for Informatics and Sciences

Full articles available at the following URL httpwwwshuzanjpenglishbrainbrainhtml

8

Scientific evidence on Soroban abacus

ldquoThe first effect is improvement of numerical memory The second is improvement of memory in spatial arrangement The third isprogress in solving general mathematical problems taught in elementary school including the four fundamental arithmeticcalculations and word problemsrdquo

Prof Shizuko Amaiwa Professor Shinshu University Faculty of Education Japan

ldquoThere are many different ways to activate the brain and one of them is the calculation with the abacus In the abacus method ofcalculation the abacus is not only the best way to exercise fingertips but also positively influences the right brain to be activatedrdquo

DrToshio Hayashi Doctor of Engineering Professor Osaka Prefecture University Director Research Institute for Advanced Science and Technology

(While using abacus) ldquoUsually the left temporal region is used for calculation but here it was almost entirely unused Instead the bwaves appeared on the right occipital region In other words the student carried out calculation using the right brain(hellip) Usuallyordinary people calculate in their mind using inner voice as in one hundred minus 7 is 93 They put mathematical notions intowords On the other hand abacus users simply visualize an image of abacus in their head They do not replace the image intowords This difference can be seen clearly in the EEGs (hellip) hellip the ability to visualize can be put to use for other subjects andbehaviors Some abacus experts use their ability for memorizing whole page of textbook or years in historyrdquo

Ms Kimiko Kawano - Researcher Nippon Medical School Center for Informatics and Sciences

Full articles available at the following URL httpwwwshuzanjpenglishbrainbrainhtml

8

Scientific evidence on Soroban abacus

ldquoThese data suggest that learning experiences can affect the pattern of cerebral specialization through the change of approaches to performcognitive tasks and the right hemisphere engages in mental calculation for the abacus experts whereas the left hemisphere contributes tomental calculation in ordinary people having no experience of abacus learningrdquoTakeshi Hatta Kazuo Ikeda - Osaka University of Education Hemispheric specialization of abacus experts in mental calculation Evidence from the results of time-sharing tasks (1988) - httpwwwsciencedirectcomsciencearticlepii0028393288900565

ldquoExperts of abacus operation demonstrate extraordinary ability in mental calculation There is psychological evidence that abacus expertsutilize a mental image of an abacus to remember and manipulate large numbers in solving problems (hellip) mental calculation of abacusexperts is likely associated with enhanced involvement of the neural resources for visuospatial information processing in 2-dimensionalspacerdquoTakashi Hanakawa Manabu Honda Tomohisa Okada Hidenao Fukuyama and Hiroshi Shibasaki Human Brain Research Center Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine Kyoto Japan Human Motor Control Section NINDS NIH Bethesda MD 20892 USA National Institute for Physiological Sciences Okazaki Japan PRESTO Japan Science and Technology Corp Kawaguchi JapanDepartment of Nuclear Medicine Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine Kyoto Japan Abacus Experts Neural Correlates Underlying Mental Calculation In A Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study -httpciteseerxistpsueduviewdocdownloaddoi=10116048369amprep=rep1amptype=pdf

ldquoSkilled abacus users can calculate accurate answers to mathematical problems extremely rapidly Interestingly however abacus users notonly manipulate the tool skillfully in its physical form but also gain the ability to mentally calculate extraordinarily large numbers often morethan 10 digits at the expert level with unusual speed and accuracy (Hatano et al 1977) Psychological studies have shown that a non-linguistic strategy using visual imagery of the abacus (a ldquomental abacusrdquo) underlies this unusual calculation ability (Hatano et al 1977 1987Hatano and Osawa 1983 Stigler 1984 Hatta et al 1989 Hishitani 1990 Hanakawa et al 2004 Tanaka et al 2008 Frank andBarner 2012) These works have demonstrated examples of the role of mental imagery in mental arithmetic operationsrdquoAbacus User with a Right Hemispheric Lesion - Satoshi Tanaka Keiko Seki Takashi Hanakawa Madoka Harada Sho K Sugawara Norihiro Sadato KatsumiWatanabe and Manabu Honda 2012 ndash in US National Library of Medicine - httpswwwncbinlmnihgovpmcarticlesPMC3428809

9

Video evidence

Below are a few video links showing the progressive development of children from thephysical abacus to the mental abacus and up to impressive calculation abilities

httpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=3nN-Wrf7HPAt=86626 drawing a mentalabacus in the air and moving it with fingers

httpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=FgFEckm-rRA moving fingers faster httpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=fKqNIpha7K8 on mental calculation without

needing to move hands in the air any more httpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=lpg_UEvocE4 the impressive ability after several

years httpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=kG4ckYt2vYw at the top the World Champion

of mental calculation

10

Training with Soroban

Training with the Soroban

use of abacus with fingers toperform addition subtractionmultiplication division with wholenumbers and decimals rangingfrom 0 to N

training with dictated numbers visualization exercises with the

Anzan technique the integration of the device in

other teaching activities

11

How Soroban works

12

Abacus effectiveness in classrooms

The experience in Italian primary school classes and nowalso in childhood classes (4-5 yrs old) shows thatMagicoAbaco provides

quick learning of instrument usage increase in pupils interest for calculation improvement in written and mental calculation increase in concentration and memory increase in speed and accuracy of calculation effective integration with Italian educational

curriculum and with the other adopted texts improvement of working atmosphere in the

classroom increase of mathematical success and self-esteem

13

Evidence on disabilities

Soroban abacus has shown effectiveness inclassrooms even when used by children withdisabilities

It is effective on different types of retardationand disabilities because it helps display units

it is also accessible to children with dyscalculia(calculators are not)

it is a tool favoring inclusiveness because ithelps disabled children to be at the same (orclose) level vs their peers

increases their self-esteem proving themthey are not stupid or just unable to calculate

14

The Authors

MagicoAbaco was developed after years ofpractice in classrooms and study by ElisaPasserini and Gian Marco Malagoli Italianteachers and trainers specialized in the field ofcalculation strategies and in the education ofchildren from 4 to 12 years old

Both the instructional books and the workbookswere created by adapting the Japanesetraditional techniques - which every year enablemillions of Asian children to get the Worldrsquoshighest scores in the OECD PISA tests ofcomputing and mathematics - in order to meetthe mental structure of European children

15

The path and the educational materials

The teachersrsquo training and the educational materials include

Training for teachers on the use of Soroban and calculation techniques

Methodological Guide and online tutorials for teachers

Books and exercise books for students

Abacus for students (6 and 13 rows)

Giant abacus and Flash Cards as a teacherrsquos classroom tools

16

6-row abacus student kit (3-6 yrs old)

13-row abacus kit (7-12 yrs old)

Educational materials for children

17

Giant abacus Flash Cards

Educational materials for teachers

Teachersrsquo Guide

18

19

Planned program extensions

Within July 2017 the Infant version of the program will be completed and printed thusmaking us able to respond to a high demand of countingcalculation educational support forchildren aged 3 to 5 It is very probable that children who effectively learned using abacus ininfancy will look at following up in primary schools

At the same time for teachers we are preparing abacus tutorials which will be initiallypublished on Sapyent and then on magicoAbacoit as well as online contents which will bemade available by password access to teachers

In the near future if adequate financial resources will be available for children we plan tobuild an app and an interactive gaming platform in order to allow online access to children totrain in counting and memory calculation on a game-structure based platform

Last but not least a specific publications will be created in 2019 for the empowerment ofcalculation skills for disabled students based on finger counting Vedic counting and abacus

The diffusion of MagicoAbaco in Italy

In order to be effectively adopted in curricular schools the diffusion of the program mustpass through teachers when they are convinced of the effectiveness of the method theywill convince parents and school managers to fund the books and abacus purchase forchildren For this reason we have and plan to appoint ldquoarea trainersrdquo who are not commercialpeople but experts in math didactic of maths in order to train groups of teachers Thetraining will be paid by teachers by purchasing the Teachersrsquo kit (Teacherrsquos Guide and 13-rodabacus price euro 25)

In early November we will also participate by delivering seminars at the XXI edition ofldquoIncontri con la Matematicardquo (Meeting with Mathematics) an annual appointment promotedsince 1986 by Prof Bruno DrsquoAmore one of the most Internationally recognised experts inmath didactic which will host as usual over 900 teachers from all over Italy

We also have a planned and managed Facebook and Twitter presence our social mediamanagers are also public school teachers

20

Where we are now

After a first experimentation started in May 2016 MagicoAbaco is currently in use ineveryday didactic activity (20 mins per day) in 19 primary Italian school classrooms indifferent public institutes (7 primary and 12 infant)

At the same time teachers training is following up with 63 teachers in Genoa 250 (including100 disability operators) around Modena 23 in Trieste in June and 200 planned in Bolognafor September Besides several schools are proposing MagicoAbaco as a proposal programfor the use of 2017 EU Structural Funds aimed at funding basic competence-enhancing(such as calculation) programs

We believe we will be able to reach the objective of 100 classrooms (or 2500 pupils) by theend of 2017 thus substantially breaking even with our initial investment

The evidence recorded in classrooms is extremely positive (see confidential videoattachments) and we are preparing reports and case histories which will be delivered toprospect teachers and schools during 2017

21

Thank you for your attention

MagicoAbaco is a program ofSapyent Srls ndash Innovative social start-up

Legal seat Via Guelfa 5 ndash 40138 Bologna ndash Operational office Via D Scarlatti 9 ndash 20124 Milano

wwwmagicoabacoit

22

How Soroban works

12

Abacus effectiveness in classrooms

The experience in Italian primary school classes and nowalso in childhood classes (4-5 yrs old) shows thatMagicoAbaco provides

quick learning of instrument usage increase in pupils interest for calculation improvement in written and mental calculation increase in concentration and memory increase in speed and accuracy of calculation effective integration with Italian educational

curriculum and with the other adopted texts improvement of working atmosphere in the

classroom increase of mathematical success and self-esteem

13

Evidence on disabilities

Soroban abacus has shown effectiveness inclassrooms even when used by children withdisabilities

It is effective on different types of retardationand disabilities because it helps display units

it is also accessible to children with dyscalculia(calculators are not)

it is a tool favoring inclusiveness because ithelps disabled children to be at the same (orclose) level vs their peers

increases their self-esteem proving themthey are not stupid or just unable to calculate

14

The Authors

MagicoAbaco was developed after years ofpractice in classrooms and study by ElisaPasserini and Gian Marco Malagoli Italianteachers and trainers specialized in the field ofcalculation strategies and in the education ofchildren from 4 to 12 years old

Both the instructional books and the workbookswere created by adapting the Japanesetraditional techniques - which every year enablemillions of Asian children to get the Worldrsquoshighest scores in the OECD PISA tests ofcomputing and mathematics - in order to meetthe mental structure of European children

15

The path and the educational materials

The teachersrsquo training and the educational materials include

Training for teachers on the use of Soroban and calculation techniques

Methodological Guide and online tutorials for teachers

Books and exercise books for students

Abacus for students (6 and 13 rows)

Giant abacus and Flash Cards as a teacherrsquos classroom tools

16

6-row abacus student kit (3-6 yrs old)

13-row abacus kit (7-12 yrs old)

Educational materials for children

17

Giant abacus Flash Cards

Educational materials for teachers

Teachersrsquo Guide

18

19

Planned program extensions

Within July 2017 the Infant version of the program will be completed and printed thusmaking us able to respond to a high demand of countingcalculation educational support forchildren aged 3 to 5 It is very probable that children who effectively learned using abacus ininfancy will look at following up in primary schools

At the same time for teachers we are preparing abacus tutorials which will be initiallypublished on Sapyent and then on magicoAbacoit as well as online contents which will bemade available by password access to teachers

In the near future if adequate financial resources will be available for children we plan tobuild an app and an interactive gaming platform in order to allow online access to children totrain in counting and memory calculation on a game-structure based platform

Last but not least a specific publications will be created in 2019 for the empowerment ofcalculation skills for disabled students based on finger counting Vedic counting and abacus

The diffusion of MagicoAbaco in Italy

In order to be effectively adopted in curricular schools the diffusion of the program mustpass through teachers when they are convinced of the effectiveness of the method theywill convince parents and school managers to fund the books and abacus purchase forchildren For this reason we have and plan to appoint ldquoarea trainersrdquo who are not commercialpeople but experts in math didactic of maths in order to train groups of teachers Thetraining will be paid by teachers by purchasing the Teachersrsquo kit (Teacherrsquos Guide and 13-rodabacus price euro 25)

In early November we will also participate by delivering seminars at the XXI edition ofldquoIncontri con la Matematicardquo (Meeting with Mathematics) an annual appointment promotedsince 1986 by Prof Bruno DrsquoAmore one of the most Internationally recognised experts inmath didactic which will host as usual over 900 teachers from all over Italy

We also have a planned and managed Facebook and Twitter presence our social mediamanagers are also public school teachers

20

Where we are now

After a first experimentation started in May 2016 MagicoAbaco is currently in use ineveryday didactic activity (20 mins per day) in 19 primary Italian school classrooms indifferent public institutes (7 primary and 12 infant)

At the same time teachers training is following up with 63 teachers in Genoa 250 (including100 disability operators) around Modena 23 in Trieste in June and 200 planned in Bolognafor September Besides several schools are proposing MagicoAbaco as a proposal programfor the use of 2017 EU Structural Funds aimed at funding basic competence-enhancing(such as calculation) programs

We believe we will be able to reach the objective of 100 classrooms (or 2500 pupils) by theend of 2017 thus substantially breaking even with our initial investment

The evidence recorded in classrooms is extremely positive (see confidential videoattachments) and we are preparing reports and case histories which will be delivered toprospect teachers and schools during 2017

21

Thank you for your attention

MagicoAbaco is a program ofSapyent Srls ndash Innovative social start-up

Legal seat Via Guelfa 5 ndash 40138 Bologna ndash Operational office Via D Scarlatti 9 ndash 20124 Milano

wwwmagicoabacoit

22

Abacus effectiveness in classrooms

The experience in Italian primary school classes and nowalso in childhood classes (4-5 yrs old) shows thatMagicoAbaco provides

quick learning of instrument usage increase in pupils interest for calculation improvement in written and mental calculation increase in concentration and memory increase in speed and accuracy of calculation effective integration with Italian educational

curriculum and with the other adopted texts improvement of working atmosphere in the

classroom increase of mathematical success and self-esteem

13

Evidence on disabilities

Soroban abacus has shown effectiveness inclassrooms even when used by children withdisabilities

It is effective on different types of retardationand disabilities because it helps display units

it is also accessible to children with dyscalculia(calculators are not)

it is a tool favoring inclusiveness because ithelps disabled children to be at the same (orclose) level vs their peers

increases their self-esteem proving themthey are not stupid or just unable to calculate

14

The Authors

MagicoAbaco was developed after years ofpractice in classrooms and study by ElisaPasserini and Gian Marco Malagoli Italianteachers and trainers specialized in the field ofcalculation strategies and in the education ofchildren from 4 to 12 years old

Both the instructional books and the workbookswere created by adapting the Japanesetraditional techniques - which every year enablemillions of Asian children to get the Worldrsquoshighest scores in the OECD PISA tests ofcomputing and mathematics - in order to meetthe mental structure of European children

15

The path and the educational materials

The teachersrsquo training and the educational materials include

Training for teachers on the use of Soroban and calculation techniques

Methodological Guide and online tutorials for teachers

Books and exercise books for students

Abacus for students (6 and 13 rows)

Giant abacus and Flash Cards as a teacherrsquos classroom tools

16

6-row abacus student kit (3-6 yrs old)

13-row abacus kit (7-12 yrs old)

Educational materials for children

17

Giant abacus Flash Cards

Educational materials for teachers

Teachersrsquo Guide

18

19

Planned program extensions

Within July 2017 the Infant version of the program will be completed and printed thusmaking us able to respond to a high demand of countingcalculation educational support forchildren aged 3 to 5 It is very probable that children who effectively learned using abacus ininfancy will look at following up in primary schools

At the same time for teachers we are preparing abacus tutorials which will be initiallypublished on Sapyent and then on magicoAbacoit as well as online contents which will bemade available by password access to teachers

In the near future if adequate financial resources will be available for children we plan tobuild an app and an interactive gaming platform in order to allow online access to children totrain in counting and memory calculation on a game-structure based platform

Last but not least a specific publications will be created in 2019 for the empowerment ofcalculation skills for disabled students based on finger counting Vedic counting and abacus

The diffusion of MagicoAbaco in Italy

In order to be effectively adopted in curricular schools the diffusion of the program mustpass through teachers when they are convinced of the effectiveness of the method theywill convince parents and school managers to fund the books and abacus purchase forchildren For this reason we have and plan to appoint ldquoarea trainersrdquo who are not commercialpeople but experts in math didactic of maths in order to train groups of teachers Thetraining will be paid by teachers by purchasing the Teachersrsquo kit (Teacherrsquos Guide and 13-rodabacus price euro 25)

In early November we will also participate by delivering seminars at the XXI edition ofldquoIncontri con la Matematicardquo (Meeting with Mathematics) an annual appointment promotedsince 1986 by Prof Bruno DrsquoAmore one of the most Internationally recognised experts inmath didactic which will host as usual over 900 teachers from all over Italy

We also have a planned and managed Facebook and Twitter presence our social mediamanagers are also public school teachers

20

Where we are now

After a first experimentation started in May 2016 MagicoAbaco is currently in use ineveryday didactic activity (20 mins per day) in 19 primary Italian school classrooms indifferent public institutes (7 primary and 12 infant)

At the same time teachers training is following up with 63 teachers in Genoa 250 (including100 disability operators) around Modena 23 in Trieste in June and 200 planned in Bolognafor September Besides several schools are proposing MagicoAbaco as a proposal programfor the use of 2017 EU Structural Funds aimed at funding basic competence-enhancing(such as calculation) programs

We believe we will be able to reach the objective of 100 classrooms (or 2500 pupils) by theend of 2017 thus substantially breaking even with our initial investment

The evidence recorded in classrooms is extremely positive (see confidential videoattachments) and we are preparing reports and case histories which will be delivered toprospect teachers and schools during 2017

21

Thank you for your attention

MagicoAbaco is a program ofSapyent Srls ndash Innovative social start-up

Legal seat Via Guelfa 5 ndash 40138 Bologna ndash Operational office Via D Scarlatti 9 ndash 20124 Milano

wwwmagicoabacoit

22

Evidence on disabilities

Soroban abacus has shown effectiveness inclassrooms even when used by children withdisabilities

It is effective on different types of retardationand disabilities because it helps display units

it is also accessible to children with dyscalculia(calculators are not)

it is a tool favoring inclusiveness because ithelps disabled children to be at the same (orclose) level vs their peers

increases their self-esteem proving themthey are not stupid or just unable to calculate

14

The Authors

MagicoAbaco was developed after years ofpractice in classrooms and study by ElisaPasserini and Gian Marco Malagoli Italianteachers and trainers specialized in the field ofcalculation strategies and in the education ofchildren from 4 to 12 years old

Both the instructional books and the workbookswere created by adapting the Japanesetraditional techniques - which every year enablemillions of Asian children to get the Worldrsquoshighest scores in the OECD PISA tests ofcomputing and mathematics - in order to meetthe mental structure of European children

15

The path and the educational materials

The teachersrsquo training and the educational materials include

Training for teachers on the use of Soroban and calculation techniques

Methodological Guide and online tutorials for teachers

Books and exercise books for students

Abacus for students (6 and 13 rows)

Giant abacus and Flash Cards as a teacherrsquos classroom tools

16

6-row abacus student kit (3-6 yrs old)

13-row abacus kit (7-12 yrs old)

Educational materials for children

17

Giant abacus Flash Cards

Educational materials for teachers

Teachersrsquo Guide

18

19

Planned program extensions

Within July 2017 the Infant version of the program will be completed and printed thusmaking us able to respond to a high demand of countingcalculation educational support forchildren aged 3 to 5 It is very probable that children who effectively learned using abacus ininfancy will look at following up in primary schools

At the same time for teachers we are preparing abacus tutorials which will be initiallypublished on Sapyent and then on magicoAbacoit as well as online contents which will bemade available by password access to teachers

In the near future if adequate financial resources will be available for children we plan tobuild an app and an interactive gaming platform in order to allow online access to children totrain in counting and memory calculation on a game-structure based platform

Last but not least a specific publications will be created in 2019 for the empowerment ofcalculation skills for disabled students based on finger counting Vedic counting and abacus

The diffusion of MagicoAbaco in Italy

In order to be effectively adopted in curricular schools the diffusion of the program mustpass through teachers when they are convinced of the effectiveness of the method theywill convince parents and school managers to fund the books and abacus purchase forchildren For this reason we have and plan to appoint ldquoarea trainersrdquo who are not commercialpeople but experts in math didactic of maths in order to train groups of teachers Thetraining will be paid by teachers by purchasing the Teachersrsquo kit (Teacherrsquos Guide and 13-rodabacus price euro 25)

In early November we will also participate by delivering seminars at the XXI edition ofldquoIncontri con la Matematicardquo (Meeting with Mathematics) an annual appointment promotedsince 1986 by Prof Bruno DrsquoAmore one of the most Internationally recognised experts inmath didactic which will host as usual over 900 teachers from all over Italy

We also have a planned and managed Facebook and Twitter presence our social mediamanagers are also public school teachers

20

Where we are now

After a first experimentation started in May 2016 MagicoAbaco is currently in use ineveryday didactic activity (20 mins per day) in 19 primary Italian school classrooms indifferent public institutes (7 primary and 12 infant)

At the same time teachers training is following up with 63 teachers in Genoa 250 (including100 disability operators) around Modena 23 in Trieste in June and 200 planned in Bolognafor September Besides several schools are proposing MagicoAbaco as a proposal programfor the use of 2017 EU Structural Funds aimed at funding basic competence-enhancing(such as calculation) programs

We believe we will be able to reach the objective of 100 classrooms (or 2500 pupils) by theend of 2017 thus substantially breaking even with our initial investment

The evidence recorded in classrooms is extremely positive (see confidential videoattachments) and we are preparing reports and case histories which will be delivered toprospect teachers and schools during 2017

21

Thank you for your attention

MagicoAbaco is a program ofSapyent Srls ndash Innovative social start-up

Legal seat Via Guelfa 5 ndash 40138 Bologna ndash Operational office Via D Scarlatti 9 ndash 20124 Milano

wwwmagicoabacoit

22

The Authors

MagicoAbaco was developed after years ofpractice in classrooms and study by ElisaPasserini and Gian Marco Malagoli Italianteachers and trainers specialized in the field ofcalculation strategies and in the education ofchildren from 4 to 12 years old

Both the instructional books and the workbookswere created by adapting the Japanesetraditional techniques - which every year enablemillions of Asian children to get the Worldrsquoshighest scores in the OECD PISA tests ofcomputing and mathematics - in order to meetthe mental structure of European children

15

The path and the educational materials

The teachersrsquo training and the educational materials include

Training for teachers on the use of Soroban and calculation techniques

Methodological Guide and online tutorials for teachers

Books and exercise books for students

Abacus for students (6 and 13 rows)

Giant abacus and Flash Cards as a teacherrsquos classroom tools

16

6-row abacus student kit (3-6 yrs old)

13-row abacus kit (7-12 yrs old)

Educational materials for children

17

Giant abacus Flash Cards

Educational materials for teachers

Teachersrsquo Guide

18

19

Planned program extensions

Within July 2017 the Infant version of the program will be completed and printed thusmaking us able to respond to a high demand of countingcalculation educational support forchildren aged 3 to 5 It is very probable that children who effectively learned using abacus ininfancy will look at following up in primary schools

At the same time for teachers we are preparing abacus tutorials which will be initiallypublished on Sapyent and then on magicoAbacoit as well as online contents which will bemade available by password access to teachers

In the near future if adequate financial resources will be available for children we plan tobuild an app and an interactive gaming platform in order to allow online access to children totrain in counting and memory calculation on a game-structure based platform

Last but not least a specific publications will be created in 2019 for the empowerment ofcalculation skills for disabled students based on finger counting Vedic counting and abacus

The diffusion of MagicoAbaco in Italy

In order to be effectively adopted in curricular schools the diffusion of the program mustpass through teachers when they are convinced of the effectiveness of the method theywill convince parents and school managers to fund the books and abacus purchase forchildren For this reason we have and plan to appoint ldquoarea trainersrdquo who are not commercialpeople but experts in math didactic of maths in order to train groups of teachers Thetraining will be paid by teachers by purchasing the Teachersrsquo kit (Teacherrsquos Guide and 13-rodabacus price euro 25)

In early November we will also participate by delivering seminars at the XXI edition ofldquoIncontri con la Matematicardquo (Meeting with Mathematics) an annual appointment promotedsince 1986 by Prof Bruno DrsquoAmore one of the most Internationally recognised experts inmath didactic which will host as usual over 900 teachers from all over Italy

We also have a planned and managed Facebook and Twitter presence our social mediamanagers are also public school teachers

20

Where we are now

After a first experimentation started in May 2016 MagicoAbaco is currently in use ineveryday didactic activity (20 mins per day) in 19 primary Italian school classrooms indifferent public institutes (7 primary and 12 infant)

At the same time teachers training is following up with 63 teachers in Genoa 250 (including100 disability operators) around Modena 23 in Trieste in June and 200 planned in Bolognafor September Besides several schools are proposing MagicoAbaco as a proposal programfor the use of 2017 EU Structural Funds aimed at funding basic competence-enhancing(such as calculation) programs

We believe we will be able to reach the objective of 100 classrooms (or 2500 pupils) by theend of 2017 thus substantially breaking even with our initial investment

The evidence recorded in classrooms is extremely positive (see confidential videoattachments) and we are preparing reports and case histories which will be delivered toprospect teachers and schools during 2017

21

Thank you for your attention

MagicoAbaco is a program ofSapyent Srls ndash Innovative social start-up

Legal seat Via Guelfa 5 ndash 40138 Bologna ndash Operational office Via D Scarlatti 9 ndash 20124 Milano

wwwmagicoabacoit

22

The path and the educational materials

The teachersrsquo training and the educational materials include

Training for teachers on the use of Soroban and calculation techniques

Methodological Guide and online tutorials for teachers

Books and exercise books for students

Abacus for students (6 and 13 rows)

Giant abacus and Flash Cards as a teacherrsquos classroom tools

16

6-row abacus student kit (3-6 yrs old)

13-row abacus kit (7-12 yrs old)

Educational materials for children

17

Giant abacus Flash Cards

Educational materials for teachers

Teachersrsquo Guide

18

19

Planned program extensions

Within July 2017 the Infant version of the program will be completed and printed thusmaking us able to respond to a high demand of countingcalculation educational support forchildren aged 3 to 5 It is very probable that children who effectively learned using abacus ininfancy will look at following up in primary schools

At the same time for teachers we are preparing abacus tutorials which will be initiallypublished on Sapyent and then on magicoAbacoit as well as online contents which will bemade available by password access to teachers

In the near future if adequate financial resources will be available for children we plan tobuild an app and an interactive gaming platform in order to allow online access to children totrain in counting and memory calculation on a game-structure based platform

Last but not least a specific publications will be created in 2019 for the empowerment ofcalculation skills for disabled students based on finger counting Vedic counting and abacus

The diffusion of MagicoAbaco in Italy

In order to be effectively adopted in curricular schools the diffusion of the program mustpass through teachers when they are convinced of the effectiveness of the method theywill convince parents and school managers to fund the books and abacus purchase forchildren For this reason we have and plan to appoint ldquoarea trainersrdquo who are not commercialpeople but experts in math didactic of maths in order to train groups of teachers Thetraining will be paid by teachers by purchasing the Teachersrsquo kit (Teacherrsquos Guide and 13-rodabacus price euro 25)

In early November we will also participate by delivering seminars at the XXI edition ofldquoIncontri con la Matematicardquo (Meeting with Mathematics) an annual appointment promotedsince 1986 by Prof Bruno DrsquoAmore one of the most Internationally recognised experts inmath didactic which will host as usual over 900 teachers from all over Italy

We also have a planned and managed Facebook and Twitter presence our social mediamanagers are also public school teachers

20

Where we are now

After a first experimentation started in May 2016 MagicoAbaco is currently in use ineveryday didactic activity (20 mins per day) in 19 primary Italian school classrooms indifferent public institutes (7 primary and 12 infant)

At the same time teachers training is following up with 63 teachers in Genoa 250 (including100 disability operators) around Modena 23 in Trieste in June and 200 planned in Bolognafor September Besides several schools are proposing MagicoAbaco as a proposal programfor the use of 2017 EU Structural Funds aimed at funding basic competence-enhancing(such as calculation) programs

We believe we will be able to reach the objective of 100 classrooms (or 2500 pupils) by theend of 2017 thus substantially breaking even with our initial investment

The evidence recorded in classrooms is extremely positive (see confidential videoattachments) and we are preparing reports and case histories which will be delivered toprospect teachers and schools during 2017

21

Thank you for your attention

MagicoAbaco is a program ofSapyent Srls ndash Innovative social start-up

Legal seat Via Guelfa 5 ndash 40138 Bologna ndash Operational office Via D Scarlatti 9 ndash 20124 Milano

wwwmagicoabacoit

22

6-row abacus student kit (3-6 yrs old)

13-row abacus kit (7-12 yrs old)

Educational materials for children

17

Giant abacus Flash Cards

Educational materials for teachers

Teachersrsquo Guide

18

19

Planned program extensions

Within July 2017 the Infant version of the program will be completed and printed thusmaking us able to respond to a high demand of countingcalculation educational support forchildren aged 3 to 5 It is very probable that children who effectively learned using abacus ininfancy will look at following up in primary schools

At the same time for teachers we are preparing abacus tutorials which will be initiallypublished on Sapyent and then on magicoAbacoit as well as online contents which will bemade available by password access to teachers

In the near future if adequate financial resources will be available for children we plan tobuild an app and an interactive gaming platform in order to allow online access to children totrain in counting and memory calculation on a game-structure based platform

Last but not least a specific publications will be created in 2019 for the empowerment ofcalculation skills for disabled students based on finger counting Vedic counting and abacus

The diffusion of MagicoAbaco in Italy

In order to be effectively adopted in curricular schools the diffusion of the program mustpass through teachers when they are convinced of the effectiveness of the method theywill convince parents and school managers to fund the books and abacus purchase forchildren For this reason we have and plan to appoint ldquoarea trainersrdquo who are not commercialpeople but experts in math didactic of maths in order to train groups of teachers Thetraining will be paid by teachers by purchasing the Teachersrsquo kit (Teacherrsquos Guide and 13-rodabacus price euro 25)

In early November we will also participate by delivering seminars at the XXI edition ofldquoIncontri con la Matematicardquo (Meeting with Mathematics) an annual appointment promotedsince 1986 by Prof Bruno DrsquoAmore one of the most Internationally recognised experts inmath didactic which will host as usual over 900 teachers from all over Italy

We also have a planned and managed Facebook and Twitter presence our social mediamanagers are also public school teachers

20

Where we are now

After a first experimentation started in May 2016 MagicoAbaco is currently in use ineveryday didactic activity (20 mins per day) in 19 primary Italian school classrooms indifferent public institutes (7 primary and 12 infant)

At the same time teachers training is following up with 63 teachers in Genoa 250 (including100 disability operators) around Modena 23 in Trieste in June and 200 planned in Bolognafor September Besides several schools are proposing MagicoAbaco as a proposal programfor the use of 2017 EU Structural Funds aimed at funding basic competence-enhancing(such as calculation) programs

We believe we will be able to reach the objective of 100 classrooms (or 2500 pupils) by theend of 2017 thus substantially breaking even with our initial investment

The evidence recorded in classrooms is extremely positive (see confidential videoattachments) and we are preparing reports and case histories which will be delivered toprospect teachers and schools during 2017

21

Thank you for your attention

MagicoAbaco is a program ofSapyent Srls ndash Innovative social start-up

Legal seat Via Guelfa 5 ndash 40138 Bologna ndash Operational office Via D Scarlatti 9 ndash 20124 Milano

wwwmagicoabacoit

22

Giant abacus Flash Cards

Educational materials for teachers

Teachersrsquo Guide

18

19

Planned program extensions

Within July 2017 the Infant version of the program will be completed and printed thusmaking us able to respond to a high demand of countingcalculation educational support forchildren aged 3 to 5 It is very probable that children who effectively learned using abacus ininfancy will look at following up in primary schools

At the same time for teachers we are preparing abacus tutorials which will be initiallypublished on Sapyent and then on magicoAbacoit as well as online contents which will bemade available by password access to teachers

In the near future if adequate financial resources will be available for children we plan tobuild an app and an interactive gaming platform in order to allow online access to children totrain in counting and memory calculation on a game-structure based platform

Last but not least a specific publications will be created in 2019 for the empowerment ofcalculation skills for disabled students based on finger counting Vedic counting and abacus

The diffusion of MagicoAbaco in Italy

In order to be effectively adopted in curricular schools the diffusion of the program mustpass through teachers when they are convinced of the effectiveness of the method theywill convince parents and school managers to fund the books and abacus purchase forchildren For this reason we have and plan to appoint ldquoarea trainersrdquo who are not commercialpeople but experts in math didactic of maths in order to train groups of teachers Thetraining will be paid by teachers by purchasing the Teachersrsquo kit (Teacherrsquos Guide and 13-rodabacus price euro 25)

In early November we will also participate by delivering seminars at the XXI edition ofldquoIncontri con la Matematicardquo (Meeting with Mathematics) an annual appointment promotedsince 1986 by Prof Bruno DrsquoAmore one of the most Internationally recognised experts inmath didactic which will host as usual over 900 teachers from all over Italy

We also have a planned and managed Facebook and Twitter presence our social mediamanagers are also public school teachers

20

Where we are now

After a first experimentation started in May 2016 MagicoAbaco is currently in use ineveryday didactic activity (20 mins per day) in 19 primary Italian school classrooms indifferent public institutes (7 primary and 12 infant)

At the same time teachers training is following up with 63 teachers in Genoa 250 (including100 disability operators) around Modena 23 in Trieste in June and 200 planned in Bolognafor September Besides several schools are proposing MagicoAbaco as a proposal programfor the use of 2017 EU Structural Funds aimed at funding basic competence-enhancing(such as calculation) programs

We believe we will be able to reach the objective of 100 classrooms (or 2500 pupils) by theend of 2017 thus substantially breaking even with our initial investment

The evidence recorded in classrooms is extremely positive (see confidential videoattachments) and we are preparing reports and case histories which will be delivered toprospect teachers and schools during 2017

21

Thank you for your attention

MagicoAbaco is a program ofSapyent Srls ndash Innovative social start-up

Legal seat Via Guelfa 5 ndash 40138 Bologna ndash Operational office Via D Scarlatti 9 ndash 20124 Milano

wwwmagicoabacoit

22

19

Planned program extensions

Within July 2017 the Infant version of the program will be completed and printed thusmaking us able to respond to a high demand of countingcalculation educational support forchildren aged 3 to 5 It is very probable that children who effectively learned using abacus ininfancy will look at following up in primary schools

At the same time for teachers we are preparing abacus tutorials which will be initiallypublished on Sapyent and then on magicoAbacoit as well as online contents which will bemade available by password access to teachers

In the near future if adequate financial resources will be available for children we plan tobuild an app and an interactive gaming platform in order to allow online access to children totrain in counting and memory calculation on a game-structure based platform

Last but not least a specific publications will be created in 2019 for the empowerment ofcalculation skills for disabled students based on finger counting Vedic counting and abacus

The diffusion of MagicoAbaco in Italy

In order to be effectively adopted in curricular schools the diffusion of the program mustpass through teachers when they are convinced of the effectiveness of the method theywill convince parents and school managers to fund the books and abacus purchase forchildren For this reason we have and plan to appoint ldquoarea trainersrdquo who are not commercialpeople but experts in math didactic of maths in order to train groups of teachers Thetraining will be paid by teachers by purchasing the Teachersrsquo kit (Teacherrsquos Guide and 13-rodabacus price euro 25)

In early November we will also participate by delivering seminars at the XXI edition ofldquoIncontri con la Matematicardquo (Meeting with Mathematics) an annual appointment promotedsince 1986 by Prof Bruno DrsquoAmore one of the most Internationally recognised experts inmath didactic which will host as usual over 900 teachers from all over Italy

We also have a planned and managed Facebook and Twitter presence our social mediamanagers are also public school teachers

20

Where we are now

After a first experimentation started in May 2016 MagicoAbaco is currently in use ineveryday didactic activity (20 mins per day) in 19 primary Italian school classrooms indifferent public institutes (7 primary and 12 infant)

At the same time teachers training is following up with 63 teachers in Genoa 250 (including100 disability operators) around Modena 23 in Trieste in June and 200 planned in Bolognafor September Besides several schools are proposing MagicoAbaco as a proposal programfor the use of 2017 EU Structural Funds aimed at funding basic competence-enhancing(such as calculation) programs

We believe we will be able to reach the objective of 100 classrooms (or 2500 pupils) by theend of 2017 thus substantially breaking even with our initial investment

The evidence recorded in classrooms is extremely positive (see confidential videoattachments) and we are preparing reports and case histories which will be delivered toprospect teachers and schools during 2017

21

Thank you for your attention

MagicoAbaco is a program ofSapyent Srls ndash Innovative social start-up

Legal seat Via Guelfa 5 ndash 40138 Bologna ndash Operational office Via D Scarlatti 9 ndash 20124 Milano

wwwmagicoabacoit

22

The diffusion of MagicoAbaco in Italy

In order to be effectively adopted in curricular schools the diffusion of the program mustpass through teachers when they are convinced of the effectiveness of the method theywill convince parents and school managers to fund the books and abacus purchase forchildren For this reason we have and plan to appoint ldquoarea trainersrdquo who are not commercialpeople but experts in math didactic of maths in order to train groups of teachers Thetraining will be paid by teachers by purchasing the Teachersrsquo kit (Teacherrsquos Guide and 13-rodabacus price euro 25)

In early November we will also participate by delivering seminars at the XXI edition ofldquoIncontri con la Matematicardquo (Meeting with Mathematics) an annual appointment promotedsince 1986 by Prof Bruno DrsquoAmore one of the most Internationally recognised experts inmath didactic which will host as usual over 900 teachers from all over Italy

We also have a planned and managed Facebook and Twitter presence our social mediamanagers are also public school teachers

20

Where we are now

After a first experimentation started in May 2016 MagicoAbaco is currently in use ineveryday didactic activity (20 mins per day) in 19 primary Italian school classrooms indifferent public institutes (7 primary and 12 infant)

At the same time teachers training is following up with 63 teachers in Genoa 250 (including100 disability operators) around Modena 23 in Trieste in June and 200 planned in Bolognafor September Besides several schools are proposing MagicoAbaco as a proposal programfor the use of 2017 EU Structural Funds aimed at funding basic competence-enhancing(such as calculation) programs

We believe we will be able to reach the objective of 100 classrooms (or 2500 pupils) by theend of 2017 thus substantially breaking even with our initial investment

The evidence recorded in classrooms is extremely positive (see confidential videoattachments) and we are preparing reports and case histories which will be delivered toprospect teachers and schools during 2017

21

Thank you for your attention

MagicoAbaco is a program ofSapyent Srls ndash Innovative social start-up

Legal seat Via Guelfa 5 ndash 40138 Bologna ndash Operational office Via D Scarlatti 9 ndash 20124 Milano

wwwmagicoabacoit

22

Where we are now

After a first experimentation started in May 2016 MagicoAbaco is currently in use ineveryday didactic activity (20 mins per day) in 19 primary Italian school classrooms indifferent public institutes (7 primary and 12 infant)

At the same time teachers training is following up with 63 teachers in Genoa 250 (including100 disability operators) around Modena 23 in Trieste in June and 200 planned in Bolognafor September Besides several schools are proposing MagicoAbaco as a proposal programfor the use of 2017 EU Structural Funds aimed at funding basic competence-enhancing(such as calculation) programs

We believe we will be able to reach the objective of 100 classrooms (or 2500 pupils) by theend of 2017 thus substantially breaking even with our initial investment

The evidence recorded in classrooms is extremely positive (see confidential videoattachments) and we are preparing reports and case histories which will be delivered toprospect teachers and schools during 2017

21

Thank you for your attention

MagicoAbaco is a program ofSapyent Srls ndash Innovative social start-up

Legal seat Via Guelfa 5 ndash 40138 Bologna ndash Operational office Via D Scarlatti 9 ndash 20124 Milano

wwwmagicoabacoit

22

Thank you for your attention

MagicoAbaco is a program ofSapyent Srls ndash Innovative social start-up

Legal seat Via Guelfa 5 ndash 40138 Bologna ndash Operational office Via D Scarlatti 9 ndash 20124 Milano

wwwmagicoabacoit

22