Hats & Ladders for Health — a digital program to help teens explore health careers
Hats & Ladders for Health: Data-driven Decision-Making for Future Health Citizens and Professionals
['FUNDING_SBIR_2'] · HATS & LADDERS, INC. · NIH-11176132
A gamified digital program for 9th- and 10th-grade students and their teachers to learn about health careers, build confidence, and connect with near‑peer mentors.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_SBIR_2'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | HATS & LADDERS, INC. (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11176132 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you are a 9th- or 10th-grade student, you would use a gamified app, complete project-based activities, and join near‑peer mentoring sessions to learn about health careers. Teachers get an instructional toolkit with training videos, lessons, progress reports, and supports to give accurate, actionable feedback. The program blends digital gameplay with classroom activities and mentoring so students can practice decision‑making and problem solving about career pathways. The research team will track student confidence and career-planning outcomes to refine the program.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are 9th- and 10th-grade students and their educators in general career or health education classes, especially students curious about health careers or from underrepresented backgrounds.
Not a fit: Students outside the 9th–10th grade range, those not interested in health or STEM pathways, or youth without reliable internet or school support are less likely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could boost the number of students pursuing health careers, helping ease future workforce shortages and improving community access to care.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier career-exposure and near‑peer mentoring programs have shown promise for increasing students' interest and confidence in health and STEM careers, though this specific data-driven, gamified mix is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- HATS & LADDERS, INC. — NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: POTTER, LEAH — HATS & LADDERS, INC.
- Study coordinator: POTTER, LEAH
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 below.