BOARD # 214: Project Drider - Teaching Students about the Dangers of Ticks the Fun Way (Work in Progress)

Joshua Dahl; Erik Marsh; Landon Wright; Quinn Joseph Contaldi; Daniel Enriquez; Ryan Wagner; Frederick C Harris; Barrie Dennis Robison

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Conference: 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Publication Date: June 22, 2025
Start Date: June 22, 2025
End Date: August 15, 2025
Conference Session: WIP Poster Session: Emerging Research and Practices in Pre-College Engineering Education
Tagged Division: Pre-College Engineering Education Division (PCEE)
Tagged Topic: Diversity
Page Count: 8
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/55571

Paper Authors

biography

Joshua Dahl University of Nevada, Reno

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Joshua Dahl is currently a student at the University of Nevada, Reno. He is pursuing a Masters with an emphasis Computer Science and Engineering but more specifically Compiler Design and Developer Experience. When he graduates he is planning on pursuing a Ph.D. in Computer Science where he hopes to continue to make contributions to both the fields of Computer Graphics and Programming Languages.

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Abstract

Young children face a heightened risk of contracting Lyme disease from ticks, primarily due to a combination of their underdeveloped immune systems and their playful obliviousness to potential bite locations. While it's important to note that children are not the only demographic at risk, educating children about the dangers of ticks presents unique challenges; striking a balance between imparting reasonable caution and avoiding instilling fear in easily impressionable minds is crucial. A message that paints the outside world as too frightening may lead to other issues arising from a counterproductive aversion to outdoor activities.

To address this delicate balance, we have developed a charming multiplayer simulation, based on recent research suggesting that cartoonish theming may reduce fear, aimed at teaching children about the specific areas and animals where ticks are commonly found. This interactive tool serves as an engaging and informative way to impart knowledge about potential risks while cushioning their impact with charming visuals to hopefully prevent overly scary associations. The goal is to foster an understanding of the environment while promoting a healthy sense of caution. Rooted in playful game-based learning and team-based cooperation, the simulation gives teachers a starting point for more specific lessons. The simulation provides a visual and interactive experience designed to capture the attention of young learners, making the educational process enjoyable and hopefully more effective.

Furthermore, to enhance the educational impact, an example lesson (and a framework to develop additional lessons) has been developed which focuses on providing a combination of individual and team based exercises. These lessons are a core feature of our simulation designed to reinforce key concepts about tick-prone areas and animals and challenge students in ways that require them to reflect on their activities. As part of our approach, collaboration with educational partners is being organized to test the efficacy of these materials in real-world educational settings. By combining the allure of the simulation with carefully crafted lessons, we aim to empower children with knowledge that enables them to safely enjoy outdoor activities in tick-prone areas.

Citation
Format

Dahl, J., & Marsh, E., & Wright, L., & Contaldi, Q. J., & Enriquez, D., & Wagner, R., & Harris, F. C., & Robison, B. D. (2025, June), BOARD # 214: Project Drider - Teaching Students about the Dangers of Ticks the Fun Way (Work in Progress) Paper presented at 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition , Montreal, Quebec, Canada . https://peer.asee.org/55571

TY  - CPAPER
AB  - Young children face a heightened risk of contracting Lyme disease from ticks, primarily due to a combination of their underdeveloped immune systems and their playful obliviousness to potential bite locations. While it&#39;s important to note that children are not the only demographic at risk, educating children about the dangers of ticks presents unique challenges; striking a balance between imparting reasonable caution and avoiding instilling fear in easily impressionable minds is crucial. A message that paints the outside world as too frightening may lead to other issues arising from a counterproductive aversion to outdoor activities.

To address this delicate balance, we have developed a charming multiplayer simulation, based on recent research suggesting that cartoonish theming may reduce fear, aimed at teaching children about the specific areas and animals where ticks are commonly found. This interactive tool serves as an engaging and informative way to impart knowledge about potential risks while cushioning their impact with charming visuals to hopefully prevent overly scary associations. The goal is to foster an understanding of the environment while promoting a healthy sense of caution. Rooted in playful game-based learning and team-based cooperation, the simulation gives teachers a starting point for more specific lessons. The simulation provides a visual and interactive experience designed to capture the attention of young learners, making the educational process enjoyable and hopefully more effective.

Furthermore, to enhance the educational impact, an example lesson (and a framework to develop additional lessons) has been developed which focuses on providing a combination of individual and team based exercises. These lessons are a core feature of our simulation designed to reinforce key concepts about tick-prone areas and animals and challenge students in ways that require them to reflect on their activities. As part of our approach, collaboration with educational partners is being organized to test the efficacy of these materials in real-world educational settings. By combining the allure of the simulation with carefully crafted lessons, we aim to empower children with knowledge that enables them to safely enjoy outdoor activities in tick-prone areas.
AU  - Joshua Dahl
AU  - Erik Marsh
AU  - Landon Wright
AU  - Quinn Joseph Contaldi
AU  - Daniel Enriquez
AU  - Ryan Wagner
AU  - Frederick C Harris Jr.
AU  - Barrie Dennis Robison
CY  - Montreal, Quebec, Canada 
DA  - 2025/06/22
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  - BOARD # 214: Project Drider - Teaching Students about the Dangers of Ticks the Fun Way (Work in Progress)
UR  - https://peer.asee.org/55571
ER  -