A Fun Digital Tool to Help Children Wash Hands Better
Official title: Interactive Hand Hygiene Trainer for School-Age Children
Funded at Indelible Learning, INC. · NIH-11135545 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is creating an engaging digital game called Bubble Beats to teach school-age children how to wash their hands effectively and consistently, helping to prevent common illnesses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indelible Learning, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Palos Verdes Estates, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $841,530 |
| NIH project number | 5R44GM144007-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11135545 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This program is designed for school-age children, typically between 0-11 years old, who could benefit from improved hand hygiene practices.
✕Less likely to help
Adults or those not directly involved in learning hand hygiene through this specific digital trainer would not directly benefit from this particular program.
What this research studies
We know that proper hand washing is a powerful way to stop the spread of germs that cause stomach bugs and colds, but it's often hard for children to learn and remember. This project is developing an interactive digital trainer that uses 3D visuals to show children exactly where germs hide on their hands and how to scrub them away. The goal is to make learning fun and provide immediate feedback, encouraging children to practice regularly and develop lasting healthy habits.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this trainer could significantly reduce the spread of airway and gastrointestinal infections among children, leading to fewer sick days and healthier communities.
How similar studies have gone: While the overall concept of hand hygiene education is established, this project builds on a successfully developed prototype for an innovative, engaging digital trainer.
Where this research is happening
-
Indelible Learning, INC.
Palos Verdes Estates, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Criley, Jasminka — Indelible Learning, INC.
- Study coordinator: Criley, Jasminka
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
An interactive tool to teach children proper handwashing techniques
This study is creating a fun digital tool to help kids learn the best ways to wash their hands, making it easier for them to remember how and when to do it right for better hygiene.
-
Interactive training for handwashing skills in students with disabilities
This study is working on a fun and interactive handwashing tool to help students with disabilities learn the best ways to wash their hands, making it easy for them to use on their phones or tablets while teachers can track their progress.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.