We close the gap between research that’s funded and programs that reach the field — by treating market research as part of the science, not a downstream activity.
Develop a prototype of the Aim to Play™ K-2 app — a cross-platform digital tool for kindergarten through 2nd grade classroom teachers providing standards-based, adaptable PE lessons with teacher skill videos and kinesthetic cross-curricular learning opportunities (e.g., integrating vocabulary and math), accessible online or offline on tablets. The Phase I work also planned to evaluate the usability, satisfaction, and acceptability of the app with 9 elementary school teachers serving low-income, rural, and/or minority students, along with direct observation of student participation. A distinguishing focus compared to the 3–5 grant is the emphasis on fundamental movement skill (FMS) development as a health equity issue, with Phase II envisioned to include an RCT measuring both teacher outcomes and student FMS results in under-resourced schools.
Adapt the radKIDS® program into a blended online/in-person instructor training and delivery system for broad-scale dissemination in low-income, rural, and minority-serving elementary schools. Phase II also involves conducting a clustered randomized trial across 40 elementary schools in California, Oregon, Utah, and Texas to assess student growth in personal safety knowledge, skill self-efficacy, help-seeking confidence, and self-esteem, as well as instructor knowledge, program usability, and fidelity of implementation. The overarching goal is to scale an evidence-based bullying, abuse, and violence prevention program — building on Phase I benchmarks already met — to reduce child victimization and trauma in underserved school communities nationwide.
Develop a prototype eLearning training program called Practice Wellness™ for Early Head Start home visitors, equipping them with coaching, reflective practice, and occupational wellness skills to better support parent-child interactions and infant/toddler development in low-resourced families. The Phase I work involves developing the prototype through an iterative process with a 6-member Advisory Board, then evaluating its usability and feasibility with 12 home visitors and 6 supervisors. If Phase I benchmarks are met, Phase II would refine the program based on feedback and test its efficacy via an RCT measuring home visitor coaching knowledge, self-efficacy, and practices, as well as parent engagement and child development outcomes.
Building on the successful Phase I prototype, complete the full development of the Pocket PE 3-5™ app, including 256 standards-based PE activities with demonstration videos and enhanced curriculum planning functionality. Phase II also involves conducting a clustered randomized trial across 24 elementary schools with 72 classroom teachers to evaluate the program’s effectiveness for improving teacher PE self-efficacy and instructional best practices, as well as student moderate-to-vigorous physical activity participation and PE enjoyment. The ultimate goal is to ready Pocket PE 3-5 for national distribution as a scalable, evidence-based resource supporting classroom teachers in delivering high-quality PE in underserved schools.
If you have a product that aligns with our portfolio, we welcome the opportunity to learn more. Each year, Saavsus selects a limited number of developers to join our portfolio of brands.
