STEM Game to Educate and Promote Hearing Health and Science for 4th to 7th Grade

DESCRIPTION provided by applicant The National Research Council recognizes that serious computer games can support new inquiry based approaches to science instruction providing virtual laboratories or field learning experiences that overcome practical and logistical constraints to student investigations With the nationally recognized need to encourage and enhance education in the Science Technology Engineering and Math STEM area Creare and its collaborators at the University of Northern Colorado along with the Dangerous Decibels Program tm propose to develop a fun engaging game based upon the Dangerous Decibels programs and activities The primary objective of the game is to develop childrenandapos s scientific and mathematical knowledge base about hearing science and acoustics the secondary objective is to leverage this knowledge to develop positive attitudes and behaviors related to their own hearing health PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE Noise induced hearing loss NIHL and tinnitus ringing in the ear is a present and growing problem in the U S and worldwide with over of U S youth aged to suffering from NIHL and as many as of U S children aged to suffering from tinnitus In this project we propose to develop an engaging game that teaches fundamental STEM concepts and intuition to youth while changing knowledge attitudes and intended behavior toward hearing health and the prevention of NIHL