# "Blueprint of Life" Genomic Literacy Tool: An interactive to enhance genetic and genomic understanding with middle/high school students and their teachers through personal genetics and human disease

> **NIH NIH R44** · D'VINCI INTERACTIVE, INC. · 2021 · $923,813

## Abstract

The increasing prevalence of genetics and genomics information in modern life calls for an equally relevant and
engaging solution to teach the next generation. Additionally, educational interventions that help close the
participation and achievement gap of underrepresented demographic groups in STEM are sorely needed. In this
NIGMS Phase II SBIR project, d’Vinci Interactive, in collaboration with The Jackson Laboratory, proposes to
develop and evaluate a full-function prototype of the “Blueprint of Life” online educational solution, which is aimed
at embedding genomics into middle school and high school classrooms. The solution will feature an expanded,
NGSS-aligned supplemental curriculum that teaches key concepts around molecular genetics of personalized
medicine, use of bioinformatics tools, the viral genome (particularly with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic),
careers in genetics science, and the ethics of genetics research. The curriculum will be delivered via an online
student learning portal designed to provide learning experiences that are engaging, inspirational, accessible,
inclusive, and relevant to students’ lives, with features such as an immersive 3D/VR genome exploration module
and an immersive Virtual Laboratory environment (which together represent the core of the project’s technical
innovation), creative content that appeals to underrepresented demographic groups, a Spanish-language
curriculum version, and adaptive learning technology. Educators will have access to a Learning Management
System, online classroom tools that are easy to implement both virtually and in-class, and an Administrative
Dashboard for real-time school and school-district level reporting on student learning progress. The aims for this
Phase II project are to show that the solution delivers the following learner benefits: (1) effective mastery of the
fundamentals of genomics/genetics and personalized medicine, (2) effective understanding of the ethical and
healthcare implications of genetics/genomics, (3) motivational impact on students, by promoting interest in
genomics/STEM education and careers, (4) strong learning and motivational impact on underrepresented
demographic groups.
WestEd, will conduct
To verify the attainment of these aims, the external research and evaluation partner,
a Randomized Controlled Trial (with 750 9th grade students from classrooms with high
populations of underserved students) on the fully developed educational solution. Aims 1-3 are supported if
students in the treatment group show a pre- versus post-assessment performance improvement (measured in
terms of information retention (Aim 1), attitudes towards the practical use of science (Aim 2), and interest in
pursuing additional genomics/STEM education and a genomics/STEM career (Aim 3)) that is statistically larger
than the improvements observed in the control group. Aim 4 is supported if performance in the treatment group
is uncorrelated with demographic factors (i.e. males vs. f...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10258095
- **Project number:** 2R44GM133222-02
- **Recipient organization:** D'VINCI INTERACTIVE, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Sally Reidy
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $923,813
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2019-09-01 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10258095

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10258095, "Blueprint of Life" Genomic Literacy Tool: An interactive to enhance genetic and genomic understanding with middle/high school students and their teachers through personal genetics and human disease (2R44GM133222-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10258095. Licensed CC0.

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