CRISPEE

What is CRISPEE?

CRISPEE is a tangible tool for young children ages 5-8 years to explore concepts from ethics, bioengineering, and gene-editing.

To design CRISPEE, our research team:

Collaborated with designers, biologists, and educators from Tufts, Wellesley, and MIT

Developed curricula and educational supports such as anchor charts, songs, games, and center activities with input from over a dozen classroom teachers

Tested the tool and learning supports with over 100 children by partnering with local learning spaces including the Eliot-Pearson Children’s School, the Eliot-Pearson Early Childhood Makerspace, and the Boston Children’s Museum

Check out photos from our research and outreach below!

Doctoral Candidate Amanda Strawhacker interviews children using CRISPEE for the first time
The CRISPEE kit includes a curriculum, original storybook, and interactive plush toys
Children play with CRISPEE prototypes at a pilot bioengineering camp
Children play with CRISPEE prototypes at a pilot bioengineering camp
Children in a CRISPEE Camp participate in STEM-themed activities such as this chemistry center
Researchers from Tufts and Wellesley discuss the next design iteration of the CRISPEE prototype
The CRISPEE prototype at early through advanced design stages
The CRISPEE collaboration involved researchers from Tufts and Wellesley, and collaborators from MIT, The Boston Children’s Museum, and the Eliot-Pearson Children’s School