Enhance STEAMspark with bilingual AI learning support, offline quizzes and child safety features

The problem

What's already in place

STEAMspark has been developed in FlutterFlow with Firebase as its backend. The app was first uploaded to Google Play in September 2026, and an updated version entered closed beta testing on October 20, 2026.

The following features are currently functional:

Student registration and login Learning games and quizzes Gamification features, including points, coins, streaks and leaderboards English-language educational content

The app currently requires an internet connection to load content from Firebase. Offline learning and progress synchronisation have not yet been implemented.

The community feature is on hold, and a parental consent mechanism still needs to be developed before the school pilot.

Project scope

1. AI Learning Assistant (English and Yoruba)

Select and integrate an existing AI model to provide text-based explanations of lessons and incorrect quiz answers. Focus initially on the Ignite Spark game and SDG lessons. Support age-appropriate responses in English and Yoruba, with appropriate content restrictions and fallback behaviour. Define an evaluation process involving TSDI's content team, a teacher and a native Yoruba speaker. Evaluate hosting options, including AWS, based on technical requirements, costs and available credits.

2. Offline Learning and Progress Synchronisation

Enable students to download pre-prepared quizzes and selected SDG learning content while connected to the internet. Allow downloaded quizzes to be completed offline. Store learning progress locally and synchronise results with Firebase when connectivity returns. Test offline functionality and synchronisation to prevent data loss or duplication. TSDI will prepare and review quiz content in advance. AI-generated questions are not required. The partner and TSDI will agree on the responsibilities for offline implementation and FlutterFlow integration during discovery.

3. Child Safeguarding and Data Security

Review and strengthen Firebase security, authentication and access controls. Support implementation of an appropriate parental consent mechanism. Establish technical measures for data protection, retention and deletion. Review safeguards for child-facing functionality, keeping the community feature disabled during this phase. Define and test security requirements and incident escalation procedures before the pilot. TSDI will retain responsibility for safeguarding governance, legal compliance and final pilot approval.

4. Learning Analytics

Implement basic analytics to monitor weekly active students, quiz completion and learning performance. Develop aggregated reporting of student engagement and quiz results by school. Ensure reporting access is restricted to authorised TSDI personnel and appropriate privacy controls are applied. Schools and school staff will not have direct access to student records or the platform's analytics in the initial phase.

Users and functionalities

Primary users: Students aged 9–16

Students in underserved communities will use STEAMspark to:

Access existing gamified STEAM learning activities and quizzes. Receive AI-generated explanations of selected lessons and incorrect answers in English and Yoruba when connected to the internet. Download approved quizzes and SDG learning content for offline use. Complete downloaded quizzes without internet access and synchronise their progress when reconnected. Track progress through existing points, coins, streaks and leaderboard features. The initial pilot aims to reach 500–1,000 students in Oyo and Ogun states, subject to confirmation with participating schools.

Secondary users: TSDI content, technical and programme teams

TSDI staff will be responsible for: Managing and reviewing learning materials, including Yoruba content. Evaluating AI-generated explanations for accuracy, language quality and age appropriateness. Monitoring aggregated student engagement and quiz performance. Maintaining the application and integrated services. Managing safeguarding procedures, parental consent and pilot coordination. School-based use of a web version and home use of the Android app are planned. Technical readiness of the web version will be verified during discovery. Schools and external stakeholders will not have direct access to student data during the initial phase.

Success vision

External impact: Students in participating schools can access engaging STEAM learning activities despite unreliable connectivity and receive clearer, age-appropriate explanations in English and Yoruba.

The pilot will evaluate the accessibility, usability and educational value of the improved platform, with the longer-term ambition of expanding access to underserved learners across Nigeria.

Internal impact: TSDI has a more secure, pilot-ready learning application with a bilingual AI assistant, reliable offline learning functionality and basic reporting on student engagement and quiz performance.

The team can manage learning content, review AI responses, monitor platform usage and maintain the agreed technical components with appropriate documentation and safeguarding procedures.