THURS-034 - Rainbow Road: A Sex Education Journey to Teach College Students About Sexual and Reproductive Health

Brief Abstract Summary: Teaching sexual and reproductive health (SRH) can evoke discomfort that limits students’ ability to apply key concepts. Rainbow Road: A Sex Ed Journey was developed as an interactive, Candy Land–inspired board game to promote engagement, normalize discussion, and reinforce SRH knowledge. Players advance along color-coded paths representing SRH topics such as anatomy, STIs, contraception, relationships, consent, and inclusivity, answering over 200 evidence-based questions and scenario challenges that build communication and decision-making skills. The game was pilot tested in a Spring 2025 undergraduate SRH capstone to assess gameplay and engagement. Student feedback indicated Rainbow Road was fun and helped them test their knowledge in a low-stakes, collaborative setting. Refinements are underway for a Spring 2026 implementation with post-game assessments. This presentation will discuss design, feedback, and strategies for integrating game-based learning into SRH education.

Detailed abstract description: Teaching sexual and reproductive health (SRH) topics can sometimes evoke feelings of embarrassment, discomfort, or disengagement, limiting students’ ability to apply critical sexual health concepts. However, sexuality education is important as it equips young people with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values to help them protect their health, make informed choices, and develop respectful and healthy sexual relationships. Game-based learning may offer a promising approach for promoting participating, reinforcing key information, and normalizing open discussions about sexual health topics. A game called, Rainbow Road: A Sex Ed Journey, was developed as an interactive, board-game style learning experience that integrates evidence-based SRH content. The game, modeled after Candy Land, includes questions about important SRH topics such as menstruation; female and male reproductive systems; sexually transmitted infections; contraception methods; healthy relationships and consent; sex education; and general questions about sexual health (e.g., sex work, ponorgraphy, arousal, pleasure). In addition, there are monument questions, similar to those in Candy Land, which ask scenario questions about how to advocate for SRH issues; safer sex practices; inclusivity practices; and misinformation. Students advance through the game on colored dots which correspond to different SRH topics that make up over 200 game cards, stopping at SRH monuments along the way on a path that spells out “sex”. Students complete the game by correctly answering content-aligned questions and completing scenario-based challenges that reinforce decision-making and communication skills. The game provides an opportunity for students to engage in a low-stakes competition game and test their comprehension of SRH topics.

The game was pilot tested in a Spring 2025 undergraduate SRH capstone course to determine issues with gameplay and student engagement. Students completed the game in groups of 8-10 students, providing feedback after the game had finished in a class debrief. Qualitative feedback and instructor observations informed refinements to the game. Preliminary feedback from students indicated that Rainbow Road was fun, engaging, and allowed students to test their knowledge. The game will be implemented again in the SRH undergraduate capstone for a formal evaluation during the spring of 2026 using a post-game assessment and reflection. Preliminary feedback during the spring of 2025 from students indicated that Rainbow Road was fun, engaging, and allowed students to test their knowledge. Rainbow Road demonstrates the potential of experiential, game-based learning to deepen understanding of SRH topics. Future research will assess its effectiveness in improving SRH knowledge and communication. This presentation will discuss game design considerations, implementation strategies, and recommendations for integrating game-based learning into SRH learning.