An educational game to teach high schoolers about the gut microbiome
Official title: Gut Grief! Developing an educational game to teach high schoolers about the gut microbiome
Funded at Smart Information Flow Technologies · NIH-10922093 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating a fun online game for high school students to help them learn about the gut microbiome and how it affects health, while also sparking their interest in science and public health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Smart Information Flow Technologies NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $295,765 |
| NIH project number | 1R43GM154529-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10922093 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are high school students interested in science and health education.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not in high school or who do not have an interest in science may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research develops a web-based digital game aimed at high school students to educate them about the gut microbiome and its connections to health. The game encourages students to engage with concepts of genomics and microbiology through interactive problem-solving and feedback. By integrating knowledge of diet, environment, and microbiome health, the project seeks to inspire interest in biomedical science and public health advocacy among young learners. The approach emphasizes active learning and aims to enhance students' quantitative and computational skills.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could empower high school students with knowledge about the gut microbiome, potentially influencing their future career choices in biomedical fields.
How similar studies have gone: While educational games have been used in various contexts, this specific approach to teaching about the gut microbiome is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Smart Information Flow Technologies
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wauck, Helen — Smart Information Flow Technologies
- Study coordinator: Wauck, Helen
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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.