Interactive Digital Media to Support Children's Learning about Tobacco and the Human Body: "Dusty the Dragon"

Abstract This SBIR Phase II project will develop an innovative STEM online game that combines biology education about parts of the human body while also teaching about the bad health effects on the body of smoking and other tobacco useThe target audience is students in gradeswhich lines up with health curriculum coverage of these topics in most statesThe entertaining and challenging aspects of the game will keep the attention of the student much longer than current methodssuch as reading print materials or viewing a DVD videoThe Phase II work will aexpand the scope and enhance the quality of the prototype version that received positive teacher and student reaction in Phase I trialsbexpand the evaluation research in methods and student populationand cestablish a workable commercialization plan for the game product in the Keducation marketThe game is a free navigation application taking place in an old castle in which the student searches for objects that will allow him her to rescue a character imprisoned by tobacco enemiesIn the process the player encounters information about tobacco use and its health consequences for the human bodyoften requiring a demonstration of learning by the student to proceed successfullyTheDusty the Dragoncharacter serves as a guideassisting the player when neededHealth issue contentdisplayed in on screen text or video clipsincludes information on canceroral cancerheart diseaselung diseasegum diseaseand nicotine addictionand the human organs affected by these diseasesChallenges consist of finding hidden objectscollecting information to apply to answering biological health questionsselecting messages for an anti tobacco ad campaignand other game like activitiesWhen a challenge is successfully completedthe player receives resources that will help him defeat the dangerous cigarettese cigscigarsand chewing tobacco containers roaming the castle rooms and hallsThe game is designed to be appealing to both boys and girlsIt will be evaluated in six elementary and middle schoolschosen to represent a sampling of urban and rural schools and racial and ethnic diversityUser testingwith both students and teacherswill be conducted to evaluate the usabilityfeasibilityand effectiveness of the game Narrative Infive percent of eighth grade students reported having had their first cigarette by the end of fifth gradeagestoIf current trends continuemillion children under the age ofwho are alive today will ultimately die from smoking related diseases