empowerED

empowerED is a story-based digital intervention developed by Schell Games in partnership with Yale University’s play2PREVENT (p2P) Lab, with funding from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Built on the Unity engine for Mobile platforms, the game is designed to help High School students recognize that they have the agency to change their school environment. The gameplay uses a "swipe-based" narrative mechanic (similar to apps like Tinder or Reigns) where players navigate six distinct stories. Central to the experience is the "Think It Through" method, a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) inspired framework that teaches students how to restructure negative automatic thoughts. By practicing these skills in relatable school scenarios, students gain the confidence and strategies needed to take real-world action toward positive institutional change.

• Schell Games
• Yale University's play2PREVENT Lab
• Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
• "Think It Through" (CBT-based cognitive restructuring)
• Narrative swiping (Left/Right)
• branching scenarios
• skill practicing

What is the "Think It Through" method?

This is the core educational framework of the game. It is a step-by-step process used to manage emotions and change negative thought patterns. The steps include: Feel it, Name it, Sync it, Know it, Flip it, Master it, Connect it, and Share it. By moving through these steps, players learn to "Flip" a negative assumption (e.g., "The principal won't listen to me") into a constructive action plan.

How do you actually "play" the game?

The gameplay is designed to be fast and intuitive for a mobile audience. Players are presented with narrative cards describing a situation or a choice. By swiping left or right, the player decides how to progress. This format allows students to quickly see the consequences of different social and mental approaches to a problem.

What kind of "School Improvements" does the game encourage?

The game isn't just about personal feelings; it’s about institutional change. Scenarios might involve a student noticing a lack of resources, unfair rules, or a negative school culture. empowerED gives them a roadmap for how to gather allies, present their case to administration, and navigate the bureaucracy of a school system effectively.

Is there proof that swiping through a story can change a student's mindset?

Yes. The portfolio notes a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) which showed that students who played empowerED had a significant improvement in their ability to reconsider and reframe negative thoughts. They also reported a measurable shift in their beliefs and attitudes regarding their own power to affect change.

Why was the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative involved?

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) focuses on "Whole Child" education, which includes social-emotional learning and student well-being. They funded this project to explore how digital tools can help personalize the development of these "soft skills" that are often missed in traditional academic curricula.