A mobile game to teach kids about environmental health risks
Official title: Simulation for Environmental Exposure Education (S3E): A Serious Game Platform for Environmental Health Literacy
Funded at Dfusion, INC. · NIH-11182059 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a fun mobile game designed for middle school kids to help them learn about the dangers of toxic things in their homes and how to stay healthy in their environment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dfusion, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Scotts Valley, United States) |
| Project start | June 27, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $737,527 |
| NIH project number | 2R44ES034563-02A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11182059 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are middle-school-aged children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds who may be more affected by environmental exposures.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not in the middle-school age range or those who do not have access to mobile devices may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research develops a mobile game called S3E that aims to improve environmental health literacy among middle-school-aged youth. The game simulates indoor environments where players learn about and navigate various toxic exposures that can affect their health. By engaging with the game, players gain knowledge about the risks associated with environmental factors, particularly in homes where children spend most of their time. The project focuses on creating an interactive learning experience that encourages awareness and proactive behavior regarding environmental health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could empower children with the knowledge to recognize and mitigate environmental health risks, potentially reducing the incidence of related health issues.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in using interactive games for educational purposes, indicating that this approach could be effective in improving health literacy.
Where this research is happening
-
Dfusion, INC.
Scotts Valley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kuhn, Tamara J. — Dfusion, INC.
- Study coordinator: Kuhn, Tamara J.
Related research
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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.