2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

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.