NHS ‘world first’ video game helps UK schools teach science

Published by  Communications

On 17th Feb 2023

A group of children playing on tablets.
Getty images

The world’s first diabetes research video game has now been developed into free Lesson Plans for use in UK primary schools, with help from academics at the University of East Anglia.


‘Rebo’s Research Adventure’, launched in 2019, is a video game which tells the story of how scientists have found treatments for health conditions like diabetes through research. The team behind the game at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in the East of England has been working with school teachers in Norfolk and staff from UEA’s School of Education and Lifelong Learning to produce the Lesson Plans.

The game and Lesson Plans are a fun way to educate, excite and inspire school children about health and care research. As students play the game and take part in the lessons they will learn about the science behind the research, why healthy lifestyles are important, why research is vital to finding life-changing treatments, and more.

The Lesson Plans have been designed for teachers to use as part of the UK Government’s Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) Science and Design and Technology curriculum. The NIHR team will also provide support to teachers who would like to use them as part of their educational plan.
David Jones and colleague David Board, both lecturers in education at UEA, put the Lesson Plans together.

“We are really proud to have been involved in developing the teaching resources to accompany the REBO’s Research Adventure game,” said Mr Jones. “Raising children’s awareness of the importance of health and wellbeing, particularly in relation to diabetes, is vital.

“We hope that through this fun and engaging approach, children will gain a better understanding of this, as well as the important role scientific research plays in our healthcare. Maybe it might also inspire some children to follow a career in science?”

Sophie Waters is one of the first teachers working with the NIHR to adopt the lesson plans for use in their school. She said: “Health is fundamental to leading a happy life and we have a duty to ensure children understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Not only do the lesson plans support this, they also cover multiple areas of the curriculum and help children to see the value of studying science.

“Children can see a real-life application of working scientific skills and how research can lead to treatments, which can in turn inspire aspirations!”

Prof Jeremy Turner, Clinical Lead for the NIHR’s Clinical Research Network (CRN) in the East of England region and Consultant Endocrinologist at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals, features alongside Rebo in the game. 

He said: “Research provides the foundation for how we treat and care for people in the NHS and social care. We hope our Lesson Plans will help kids get a head start in learning about how important research is, which will hopefully mean more people understand their right to access research opportunities in the future. Maybe they will even inspire some future researchers too!"

For more information about the Lesson Plans contact Anne Kirby, NIHR CRN East of England Patient & Public Involvement Manager: email anne.kirby@nihr.ac.uk or call 01603 287670.

The game is now available to download to iPad and Android tablets for free from the iOS App Store and Google Play. For more information visit the Rebo's Research Adventure website: bit.ly/RebosResearchAdventure.

Latest News

 
Spring Street Market L-R: floral prints, crafter birds, The Street with visitors, fruit and vegetables, jewellery stall
17 Mar 2023

Student and graduate businesses given chance to shine on campus at Spring Street Market

Held on Wednesday 15 March, the inaugural Spring Street Market was a bustling success for the University of East Anglia (UEA), with a high turnout of both stall...

Read more >
 
A trans man in a business meeting.
17 Mar 2023

Study highlights challenges facing transgender and non-binary workers

New research led by the University of East Anglia highlights some of the challenges that transgender and non-binary staff can face at work.

Read more >
 
Photo L-R: (Thara Jose, Fergus Cutting, Josh Dixon, Elana Fraser) smiling at the Cyber 9/12 competition in London
16 Mar 2023

UEAnonymous at Cyber Strategy competition finals

UEAnonymous, a talented team of CMP students, made it to the finals of the Cyber 9/12 Strategy competition – one of just 17 teams selected of more than 120...

Read more >
 
A woman sleeping.
14 Mar 2023

UEA Sleep Lab open day this Friday

Researchers at the University of East Anglia will be throwing open the doors of their Sleep and Brain Research Unit to celebrate World Sleep Day this Friday,...

Read more >
Are you searching for something?
 
A woman sleeping.
14 Mar 2023

UEA Sleep Lab open day this Friday

Researchers at the University of East Anglia will be throwing open the doors of their Sleep and Brain Research Unit to celebrate World Sleep Day this Friday,...

Read more >
 
A woman making a Caprese salad.
14 Mar 2023

Mediterranean diet associated with decreased risk of dementia

Read more >
 
13 Mar 2023

The Literary History of Chicago: An Interview with Frederik Byrn Køhlert

Frederik Byrn Køhlert talks about his new edited book Chicago: A Literary History.

Read more >
 
A young man working on a laptop.
10 Mar 2023

Online ‘personal brands’ key to job success for Gen Z

New research reveals how Generation Z perceive online ‘personal brands’ as a crucial tool to gain more advantage in job markets.

Read more >
 
A dad helping his young daughter read a map.
09 Mar 2023

Can children map read at the age of four?

Children start to develop the basic skills that underlie map reading from the age of four – according to new research from the University of East Anglia.

Read more >
 
Migrants travelling over mountainous terrain.
08 Mar 2023

Short-distance migration critical for climate change adaptation

Short-distance migration is crucial for climate change adaptation, according to new research from the University of East Anglia.

Read more >
 
13 Mar 2023

Creating an accessible communication space for all - new training for staff

Staff can take part in new training aimed at creating an accessible communication space for all, spearheaded by Lauren Flannery, Speech & Language Therapist &...

Read more >