Transforming Learning Through Gamified Research
Our vision is to make learning more interactive and hands-on through a fun gamified approach.
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The Lucy Family Institute research team, in collaboration with the Ascension Foundation, developed an interactive Medical Game on Roblox that immerses students in healthcare scenarios and healthy behaviors while seamlessly collecting survey responses. Initially designed and developed for intuitive data collection, this gamified approach included interactive medical tasks and terminology in multiple health roles and illnesses to students.
As a data collection tool, game participants responded to survey questions as they worked through multiple interactive medical tasks. The study team conducted game design and user testing among middle school students in Detroit (2025). The game was used for data collection in Nashville and Baltimore. After the data collection, the teams conducted additional user and design testing in South Bend (2026) to enhance the game towards increased engagement in learning.
Results demonstrated that participation in the game increased students’ interest in science, strengthened confidence in STEM, enhanced healthcare career identity, and raised educational aspirations. In-game assessments provided the clearest and most sensitive measurement of student attitude change, compared to paper surveys and clickers. The medical game on Roblox enhanced student engagement and provided a scalable method for program evaluation and early health learning and career exploration.
Building on the game’s progress in data collection and engagement, the study team alongside medical experts is currently adapting the game for classroom integration toward learning and early career exploration among middle school students. As a learning tool that is structured to create awareness and interest in healthcare and STEM pathways, middle school participants complete clinical tasks addressing medical cases presented at the hospital or in emergency care through multiple scenarios in the game. Participants complete the tasks in gamified roles of nurses, physicians or emergency respondents. Participants also encounter other medical professionals providing insight on different roles.
In the study with middle school students, the research will explore how the medical game on Roblox performs in a classroom environment, and observe changes in students’ awareness of, interest in, and confidence in their ability to pursue STEM and healthcare pathways as they progress to high school.
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