Hexacago Health Academy

Hexacago Health Academy (HHA) is a game-based science and health curriculum intervention. HHA engages high school students in learning about and addressing major health issues and risk behavior through game play, interaction with STEM science and health professionals, and mentoring. For three weeks, youth will be provided in-depth exposure to public health and science careers while fostering game development using the Hexacago board. Year one (summer, 2015) will be devoted to sexual and reproductive health games, while year two (summer, 2016) will focus on developing games about alcohol and drugs. The Hexacago Health Academy will ensure the summer programs meet educational goals while Youth Initiated Mentoring (YIM) will introduce youth to concepts of goal setting, maintaining and identifying mentors, and using networking skills to identify adults in a career of interest.