"Step Up" Game for High School Students

Overseen By Lindsey Sova, MPH

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 2

Sponsor: Ohio State University

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Prior Safety Data This treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new interactive game called "Step Up," designed to help high school students understand the importance of diversity in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and health careers. The game aims to boost students' confidence and skills in these fields while teaching them how to create inclusive environments. Participants will either play the "Step Up" game or view a PowerPoint on the same topics. The study seeks current high school students in the Chicago area with access to a computer and internet. As a Phase 2 trial, this research focuses on measuring the game's effectiveness in an initial, smaller group of students, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to educational innovation.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that the "Step Up" game is safe for high school students?

Research shows that the "Step Up for STEM and Health Careers" game is a digital tool designed to help high school students learn about diversity in science and health careers. This interactive game aims to build skills and awareness in a fun learning environment. Although specific safety data for this game is unavailable, it is important to note that it is not a medical treatment or drug but an educational resource.

As the trial is in its early stages, researchers are evaluating how well participants handle using the game and whether any issues arise with its content or delivery. However, as a digital educational tool, the risks are likely very low compared to medical treatments. Participants will use the game to assess its impact on their attitudes and confidence in pursuing STEM careers. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the "Step Up" Game for high school students because it takes a fresh, interactive approach to exploring careers in STEM and health. Unlike traditional educational methods, like PowerPoint presentations, this game lets students engage with content through a six-episode interactive experience. It features diverse role models and integrates mini-games to boost students' confidence and skills in STEM/health fields. By immersing students in a dynamic learning environment, this game aims to inspire a more inclusive and self-assured generation ready to pursue STEM and health careers.

What evidence suggests that the "Step Up" game is effective for promoting diversity in STEM and health careers?

Research has shown that interactive programs like the "Step Up for STEM and Health Careers" game, which participants in this trial may experience, can enhance students' confidence and belief in their ability to succeed in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. The game incorporates concepts from the Theory of Planned Behavior and Social Cognitive Career Theory, aiming to boost confidence through diverse role models and engaging mini-games. Similar past programs have yielded positive results, with 75% of participants remaining involved in STEM fields during college. Overall, this suggests that the "Step Up" game could positively influence students' perceptions and actions toward STEM careers. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Tim Parsons

Principal Investigator

Resilient Games Studio

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for high school students in grades 9-12 living in the Chicago Metropolitan Area who speak English and have access to a computer with an internet connection. It's designed to see if a game can help them understand diversity in STEM careers.

Inclusion Criteria

I live in the Chicago Metropolitan Area.

I speak English.

I have a computer and internet access.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Intervention

Participants in the intervention group play a six-episode interactive game on diversity in STEM and health careers, while the control group views an educational PowerPoint presentation.

1 week

1 session (in-person or virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in attitudes, self-efficacy, and bystander behavior related to STEM/health careers.

Up to 3 days post-intervention

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Step Up for STEM and Health Careers

Trial Overview

The 'Step Up for STEM and Health Careers' game, which aims to promote positive attitudes towards diversity in STEM fields, is being tested against a PowerPoint presentation on bias and harassment as part of this randomized controlled trial.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Step Up for STEM Careers Game Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Youth in the intervention group will play a six-episode, interactive game on the importance of diversity in STEM and health careers, STEM/health career self-efficacy, and creating an inclusive learning environment for others. This includes featuring diverse youth who model STEM/health self-efficacy; integrating STEM/health professional characters as "in-game" content experts and role models; and incorporating mini games to reinforce skills and behavior.

Group II: Educational PowerPoint Active Control 1 Intervention

Youth in the comparator group will complete an educational PowerPoint presentation on the importance of diversity in STEM and health careers, STEM/health career self-efficacy, and creating an inclusive learning environment for others. This PowerPoint presentation will contain sections that correspond to each episode of the Step Up for STEM and Health Careers intervention.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Ohio State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

891

Recruited

2,659,000+

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Collaborator

Trials

2,896

Recruited

8,053,000+

Resilient Games Studio

Industry Sponsor

Trials

1

Recruited

100+

University of Chicago

Collaborator

Trials

1,086

Recruited

844,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The Hexacago Health Academy (HHA) successfully engaged 24 adolescents from underrepresented minority populations in health education and STEM careers through game-based learning, focusing on sexual and reproductive health.

Participants developed critical thinking skills, teamwork, and a broader understanding of health sciences, demonstrating the potential effectiveness of informal learning environments in stimulating interest in STEM fields.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Game-Based Health Education: The Case of Hexacago Health Academy. Macklin, M., Jagoda, P., Jones, IB., et al.[2021]

A study involving 66 out of 81 students in focus groups identified key supportive components of undergraduate pathway programs for underrepresented students aspiring to medical careers, including long-term mentorship, academic preparation, and early clinical exposure.

The findings highlight the importance of community leadership development and health policy advocacy in empowering students, suggesting that these elements are crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of premedical education programs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Aspiring physicians program: description and characterization of the support processes for an undergraduate pathway program to medicine. Teherani, A., Uwaezuoke, K., Kenny, J., et al.[2023]

A survey of 665 out of 773 participants from a summer science program for underrepresented minorities revealed that 432 students pursued careers in medicine, health professions, or science, indicating strong retention of interest in these fields.

Among the respondents, 31 students were enrolled in or had graduated from medical school, suggesting that the program effectively encouraged students to pursue advanced education in health-related careers.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Education and career paths of LSU's summer science program students from 1985 to 1997. Helm, EG., Parker, JE., Russell, MC.[2019]

The ACTION Program effectively recruits and trains students from underrepresented areas in Appalachian Kentucky, providing them with hands-on experience in cancer research and outreach over a two-year period.

Initial data indicate that high school participants have a higher college-going rate than state and county averages, suggesting the program positively influences educational and career outcomes for its participants.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Appalachian Career Training in Oncology (ACTION) Program: Preparing Appalachian Kentucky High School and Undergraduate Students for Cancer Careers. Parsons, JRM., Hanley, C., Prichard, C., et al.[2022]

This study outlines a systematic review protocol aimed at evaluating school-based interventions that use games and gamification to promote physical activity among preschoolers, children, and adolescents.

The review will follow rigorous methods, including the PRISMA-P checklist and the PICOS framework, to ensure comprehensive analysis and comparison of the effectiveness of these interventions in enhancing physical activity outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

School-Based Interventions for Promoting Physical Activity Using Games and Gamification: A Systematic Review Protocol. Saucedo-Araujo, RG., Chillón, P., Pérez-López, IJ., et al.[2020]

The FIT Game, presented through visual displays in school cafeterias, significantly increased vegetable consumption among 572 elementary school children by 99.9%, from 21.3g to 42.5g, without requiring teacher involvement.

The game did not affect fruit consumption, indicating its targeted approach effectively promoted vegetable intake while maintaining existing fruit consumption levels.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The FIT Game III: Reducing the Operating Expenses of a Game-Based Approach to Increasing Healthy Eating in Elementary Schools. Joyner, D., Wengreen, HJ., Aguilar, SS., et al.[2019]

A day-long physiology event held in collaboration with tribal middle and high schools in South Dakota and Nebraska successfully increased students' self-perceived knowledge of physiology and enthusiasm for scientific careers, as evaluated by pre- and post-event assessments from 224 participants.

The outreach program demonstrates that activity-based learning can effectively engage underserved populations, particularly Native American students, in STEM fields, highlighting the potential for similar initiatives to foster interest in science careers.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A day of immersive physiology experiments increases knowledge and excitement towards physiology and scientific careers in Native American students. Becker, BK., Schiller, AM., Zucker, IH., et al.[2020]

The Doctors' Day event successfully increased interest in healthcare careers and oncology among high school students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, with 91 participants from diverse demographics completing the survey.

Feedback from the program was overwhelmingly positive, indicating that students felt more comfortable discussing cancer screening and the importance of healthcare after participating in the hands-on learning activities.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of an Oncology Focused High School Outreach Event in Increasing Interest in Cancer Care and Healthcare Careers. Das, RK., Buttafuoco, KA., Ibidunni, L., et al.[2023]

A research project by Mentoring in Medicine (MIM) identified key factors that motivate or deter underrepresented minority students from pursuing health careers, highlighting the importance of including parents in the discussion to understand differing perspectives.

The study led to the development of effective programmatic strategies in community-based, school-based, and Internet-based formats, providing best practices for supporting urban youth in their journey toward health careers.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Promoting careers in health care for urban youth: What students, parents and educators can teach us. Holden, L., Rumala, B., Carson, P., et al.[2023]

A hands-on Jenga activity was developed for K-12 students to illustrate how health behaviors impact disease rates and community resilience, involving 225 students across 15 science classes.

Students learned that positive health behaviors lead to lower disease severity, as demonstrated by the stability of Jenga towers, with the healthier tower (representing a community with better health habits) being more resilient to simulated disasters.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of health behaviors on community well-being and resilience: teaching K-12 students with Jenga! Wehmanen, KW., Cottet-Puinel, FE., Hampton, TC., et al.[2023]

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Given the differences between health and STEM careers, the fields are often studied separately; however, research using non-PISA data has also studied health ...

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Full STEM Ahead:

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