Problem addressed

There is a growing digital divide in education, particularly affecting children from under-resourced communities who lack access to structured, high-quality learning in computer science and digital literacy. Traditional education systems often do not include programming or computational thinking in their curricula, and when they do, schools frequently lack the resources, trained staff, or tools to implement these subjects effectively.

This structural inequality puts millions of children at a disadvantage. According to the OECD, 65% of children entering primary school today will work in jobs that do not yet exist. Without foundational knowledge in areas such as computer science, cybersecurity, AI, problem-solving, and critical thinking, children risk being excluded from future learning opportunities and from meaningful participation in the digital economy and society.

The problem is particularly acute in socioeconomically vulnerable areas, where families may not have internet access, digital devices, or the means to supplement school-based learning. This reinforces cycles of exclusion and reduces the chances of upward mobility through education. Teachers in these contexts are also often unsupported and overwhelmed, with limited training in new technologies.

ubbu was created to respond to this challenge, aiming to democratise access to quality digital and STEAM education from an early age, and to promote equity by reaching the schools and children who need it most.

Innovative solution

ubbu is an innovative, turnkey digital platform that enables any school, regardless of its resources or technical expertise, to teach coding, digital literacy, and STEAM subjects to children aged 6 to 12. What sets ubbu apart is its holistic and inclusive approach: it combines gamification, and interactive activities with a curriculum aligned to the SDGs, making learning both engaging and socially relevant.

The platform was designed to be intuitive and accessible for both students and teachers. It does not require prior technical knowledge, offering structured lesson plans, training, progress monitoring, and pedagogical support. Teachers of any subject can integrate ubbu into their classes, allowing digital skills to be taught without the need for specialist staff.

ubbu also distinguishes itself from how it leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) across multiple dimensions of the platform. AI is being integrated to enhance gamification by generating personalised levels and activities that adapt to each student’s pace and skill level. This keeps learning engaging and challenging, increasing motivation and retention. For teachers, ubbu uses AI to reduce workload and improve educational outcomes. The platform will provide smart insights, tracks classroom progress, and suggests adjustments to learning paths based on students’ performance. This allows teachers to better support students with different needs, even in large or mixed-ability classrooms, and to focus their efforts where they are most needed.

This combination of innovative content, adaptive learning through AI, and strong teacher support makes ubbu a forward-thinking solution that not only prepares students for the digital future, but also empowers educators to deliver inclusive, effective, and engaging learning experiences.

Key results and benefits

ubbu has already reached over 350,000 children across more than 20 countries. In 2024 alone, 132,000 students completed over 17.8 million activities on the platform, supported by 3,780 teachers in 977 schools. The platform is available in four languages (PT-PT, PT-BR, ES, EN), with new translations in development, allowing it to support diverse educational contexts.

Independent studies confirm ubbu’s impact on learning outcomes. A study by Universidade Nova de Lisboa found a 17% improvement in math scores and a 5% increase in logical reasoning among students using ubbu. Another study by Universidade de Aveiro showed that over 70% of students from schools located in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas, designated as Priority Educational Intervention Territories (TEIP) by the Portuguese Ministry of Education  progressed from basic to intermediate levels of digital skills within one school year, based on the DigComp framework.

ubbu’s inclusive design supports accessibility at multiple levels. It includes text-to-speech features for students with reading or visual difficulties, and a visual and intuitive interface that promotes independent use. For migrant children or those newly integrated into the education system, ubbu often serves as a crucial entry point for engagement. The availability of lessons in multiple languages and the possibility of translation allow these students to participate meaningfully in class activities, gain confidence, and reconnect with learning.

For children with learning difficulties, the gamified and interactive approach of ubbu helps reduce barriers, builds confidence, and increases motivation, often reigniting interest in school. Teachers benefit from structured lesson plans, real-time student progress reports, and ongoing support, enabling them to differentiate instruction and reach all learners more effectively. In 2024, ubbu registered a Net Promoter Score for teachers of 72, showing the impact of ubbu in digital education.

By promoting equity, inclusion, and digital empowerment, ubbu delivers measurable academic results while contributing to the broader social integration of children through accessible, engaging, and future-ready education.

This innovation has been replicated and adapted in several municipalities in Portugal, including Lisbon, Almada, Fundão, and Braga, where the project’s content was tailored to reflect local culture and foster a stronger connection between participants and their surroundings. This adaptation involved incorporating elements of local heritage, historical curiosities, cultural landmarks, and notable monuments from each city.
For example, in Lisbon, we included references to the Jerónimos Monastery and the Age of Discoveries; in Almada, highlights such as the Convent of the Capuchos and the impact of the 25th of April Bridge were explored; in Fundão, local traditions related to cherry production and regional crafts were emphasized; and in Braga, the Bom Jesus Sanctuary and the city’s Roman heritage were featured. These customizations not only increased student engagement but also enhanced their sense of belonging and curiosity about their own city. This context-based digital education approach proved effective in boosting interest and participation, particularly among younger audiences.

Potential for mainstreaming

ubbu was designed from the outset as a scalable, adaptable solution capable of mainstream adoption at local, national, and international levels. Its digital-first and flexible architecture allows it to be easily integrated into different education systems, regardless of country or teaching context. The content is developed by professors and educational sciences professionals and is aligned with core STEAM subjects and adaptable to school grades and national standards, making it suitable for formal curricula or complementary programmes.

The platform is already used in over 20 countries and available in 4 languages (ES, PT-PT, PT-BR e EN),. This multilingual capacity, combined with a visual and intuitive interface, makes ubbu particularly effective in diverse classrooms, including those with migrant students or children from multilingual backgrounds.

ubbu’s turnkey model enables rapid implementation through partnerships with schools, municipalities, ministries of education, and NGOs. This includes teacher onboarding, support materials, technical assistance, and data reporting, ensuring quality and consistency at scale. In Portugal, for example, ubbu is already widely used in TEIP (priority intervention) schools and is integrated in municipal-level programmes. It has also been adopted in countries as varied as Brazil, Finland, and Saudi Arabia.

The upcoming integration of AI will further strengthen its mainstream potential, by helping teachers personalise learning and manage diverse classrooms more efficiently, key factors for sustainable large-scale deployment. ubbu is positioned to become a standard tool in digital education across different geographies, ensuring no child is left behind in the digital transition.