Arkansas high schools implement VR education focusing on concussions

Arkansas school districts are partnering with a health education nonprofit to launch a concussion educational program using virtual reality (VR).

Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Saturday (Dec. 1) announced that Arkansas will be the first state in the country to implement Crash Course, a concussion education program. It will be available to student-athletse in every high school in the state and is being done in partnership with TeachAids, a nonprofit backed by Stanford University research with a focus on public health.

Other partners are the Arkansas Department of Education, Arkansas Department of Health and the Arkansas Activities Association, the statewide governing body for athletics and activities in Arkansas.

“Arkansas is setting a precedent for the rest of the nation in providing cutting-edge VR education to its students,” Gov. Hutchinson said in a statement. “Through our unique partnership with TeachAids, this groundbreaking concussion education experience will empower young people to solve real-world problems in our increasingly technology-driven society.”

According to reports, three out of five high school students do not report their concussions or are unaware of them at all.

“We are proud to partner with the state of Arkansas in this historic progression for concussion education, and applaud Governor Hutchinson for his leadership in prioritizing unique learning opportunities for young people,” Dr. Piya Sorcar, founder and CEO of TeachAids, said in a statement. “Working together with local government and other key stakeholders, we will be able to enhance the way we teach kids about concussions for generations to come.”