Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and LearnLaunch Announce World Languages Design Challenge, Invite Submissions for Innovative K-12 Solutions

Winner will receive $10,000 prize and opportunity to bring idea to market

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Jan 31, 2019, 11:19 ET

BOSTON, Jan. 31, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- LEARNLAUNCH ACROSS BOUNDARIES CONFERENCE – Learning company Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and LearnLaunch today announced a $10,000 World Languages Design Challenge to support innovative approaches to World Languages teaching and learning.

Through the competition, which was announced today at the 2019 LearnLaunch Across Boundaries Conference in Boston, HMH and LearnLaunch seek innovative ideas from educators and entrepreneurs—along with others in the edtech and K-12 spaces—to help today's World Languages learners develop the linguistic skills and cultural experiences they need to become global citizens and leaders. Successful submissions will identify and articulate a problem, present a solution and the market response to date (if any), and address how a partnership with HMH can help achieve immediate impact.

"Today, it is more important than ever that students think and act globally," said Jim O'Neill, General Manager, Core Solutions at HMH. "HMH's passion for innovation runs deep and we're excited to partner with LearnLaunch to tap into the brilliant minds in the edtech community to bring new ideas and approaches to World Languages learning curricula."

"We are excited to partner with HMH to inspire new ideas and solutions in world language learning," said Eileen Rudden, co-founder of LearnLaunch. "We believe our ecosystem will provide HMH with innovative ideas to fuel future leadership."

Entrants should visit learn.hmhco.com/designchallenge to learn more. Proposals are due by Friday, Feb. 22 at 11:59 ET. Finalists will be selected and notified on Monday, Feb. 25 via email, and invited to participate in the Finalists Pitch on Friday, March 1 at HMH headquarters at 125 High Street in Boston. The winner will receive $10,000 and the opportunity to collaborate with HMH to bring their idea to market.

More information about the competition will be shared tomorrow at the LearnLaunch Across Boundaries Conference during a panel discussion entitled "Design Challenge, World Languages and Global Citizens." The panel, moderated by Ann Marie McNamara, Vice President of Product Management: Core Solutions Accelerator at HMH, will feature Sheldon Berman, Superintendent of Andover Public Schools, Jack Morgan, Design Lead at language-learning platform Duolingo, and Amy VanAarle, Executive Vice President at international education company Education First.

The Learn Launch Across Boundaries conference, now in its seventh year, brings together thousands of educators, education administrators, entrepreneurs, investors, education companies and technology to transform learning and increase achievement using digital technologies.

About Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (NASDAQ:HMHC) is a global learning company committed to delivering integrated solutions that engage learners, empower educators and improve student outcomes. As a leading provider of K–12 core curriculum, supplemental and intervention solutions and professional learning services, HMH partners with educators and school districts to uncover solutions that unlock students' potential and extend teachers' capabilities. HMH serves more than 50 million students and 3 million educators in 150 countries, while its award-winning children's books, novels, non-fiction, and reference titles are enjoyed by readers throughout the world. For more information, visit www.hmhco.com.

About LearnLaunch Institute

LearnLaunch Institute catalyzes a community that drives innovation to transform learning and increase achievement. Our education innovation ecosystem mobilizes educators, entrepreneurs, learners, investors, and industry affiliates. As a nonprofit, the Institute offers learning opportunities and connections to individuals, support services to schools, and a district network. We believe in expanding access to learning that is engaging, personalized, and effective. Edtech is a critical component of achieving this vision at scale. For more Information and our upcoming events, visit www.learnlaunch.org or follow us @LearnLaunch. LearnLaunch Institute is a part of the LearnLaunch family, which includes LearnLaunch Accelerator and coworking space LearnLaunch Campus. Learn more about our full family of services at www.learnlaunch.com.

Contact
Leah Riviere
Senior Communications Manager
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
617-351-5020
[email protected]

SOURCE Houghton Mifflin Harcourt