Sunburst Technology develops and distributes supplemental curriculum materials for the school market. Founded in 1972, Sunburst emerged as a market leader in 1983 by releasing the widely-adopted Voyage of the MIMI series. Supporting this interdisciplinary, multimedia product with instructional software, Sunburst built a strong presence in the ed-tech market by creating stable and reliable programs. Focusing its business on math and instructional keyboarding programs, Sunburst is best known for the Type to Learn® series and includes award-winning programs such as Key Skills, QuickMind.net, Learn About Science, and Ice Cream Truck.
Sunburst Technology's new "Sunburst Learning Solutions" educational consulting program is dedicated to providing schools with student achievement solutions for differentiated instruction. Sunburst Learning Solutions focuses on student improvement in grades K-12 using sound, leading-edge technology platforms developed for targeted intervention. Building upon Sunburst's 30-year history of supporting teachers and delivering educational products that promote student achievement, Sunburst Learning Solutions provides schools with solutions that meet "No Child Left Behind" Legislation requirements and that can be customized to each school's individual challenges. It offers customizable, research-based achievement solutions for schools, leveraging the best standards-based products to provide the highest return on schools' instructional investment. High quality implementation and support enhance these true learning solutions.
Sunburst acquired Tenth Planet® in 1998, supporting the development of its skills-based early literacy and elementary number, fraction, and geometry programs. In 1999, Sunburst was sold to the Houghton-Mifflin Company, which brought Math Arena®, the Little Planet® literacy series, and the Curious George® titles to the product line.
Sunburst received the EdNet Hero Award in 2001 for making a positive impact in education through learning technologies. That year, Sunburst, as part of Houghton Mifflin, was purchased by Vivendi Universal. Creating a partnership with Knowledge Adventure® School Division, a Vivendi Universal company, Sunburst began to distribute popular brands such as the Jump Start™ Learning System and the Math Blaster® and Reading Blaster™ series.
In 2002, Houghton Mifflin divested Sunburst Technology, which then merged with Educational Resources to form the Sunburst Technology Corporation. In 2003, the Sunburst health and guidance video and print division joined School Specialties, Inc. Sunburst acquired QuickMind.net in 2004.
Sunburst Technology Corporation, located in Elgin, IL, and Valhalla, NY, is owned by Thayer Capital, an investment group based in Washington, D.C. Sunburst Technology is led by Mark Sotir, Chief Executive Officer. The company's senior management team includes Michael McArthy, Chief Financial Officer; David Wolff, Senior Vice President of Software Development; Daniel Figurski, Senior Vice President of Sales; and Mike Gavelek, Senior Vice President of Marketing.
Both Sunburst and Educational Resources are well-respected names in the school market. Sunburst is known for its high-quality software programs for the PreK-12 classroom, service-oriented technical support, and customer service teams. Sunburst dominates the field of instructional keyboarding and is a leading publisher of early literacy and middle-school math programs.
In addition to producing and selling original software, Sunburst Technology Corporation also distributes a broad array of educational technology materials including hardware, Web-based products, and print materials.
Educational Resources distributes a wide range of school technology products. With an ability to form strategic partnerships, Educational Resources provides schools with both popular and hard-to-find products at favorable pricing.