How might we encourage middle school students to make good life choices by teaching life skills in an engaging way?Thirty Hillside Jr. High AVID students spent the morning playing one of the most important games they'll ever play: the LEARN, IMAGINE, FREEDOM, EXPLORE experience (L.I.F.E.x) with One Stone team members. More than just a game, L.I.F.E.x is an interactive education tool that encourages learning in critical life skills and encourages college education.

How might we save one life by preventing prescription medication abuse?One Stone team members from Shake, Rattle and Roll spent nine months delving into the issue of teen substance abuse—meeting with substance abuse specialists and hearing first hand from people whose lives had been deeply impacted by drug abuse and addiction. Working through the design thinking process, the group learned that prescription medications were a readily available and deadly drug of choice for many teens, and that surprisingly, 70% of teens who abuse medications get them from the medicine cabinets of friends and family. The team decided that part of the solution to this problem was reducing the availability of these drugs and raising awareness about the importance of safe and proper disposal.

How might we increase confidence and encourage a positive self-image amongst middle school girls?

A team of One Stone students were shocked to discover research reporting that young girls are more afraid of becoming fat than they are of nuclear war, cancer or losing their parents. This data point, along with their own recollection of middle school, inspired them to design embrace, a weekend of self-esteem building, confidence creating, kindness cultivating GIRL POWER! The One Stone girls led games, creative activities and random acts of kindness, all designed to instill positive self-image amongst 20 8th grade girls.

How might we start a conversation that de-stigmatizes mental health issues?After learning that suicide was the 2nd leading cause of death for Idaho teens, a group of One Stone students decided to do something to change this alarming statistic. Through the design thinking process, they learned that one of the greatest challenges related to mental health was the stigma surrounding it. To address that head on, the team developed ECHO, a day-long event to start a peer-to-peer conversation about mental health and suicide prevention. Included in the event was a training in the Sources of Strength program, a best practices youth suicide prevention project that utilizes the power of peer social networks to change unhealthy norms and culture.

How might we raise awareness amongst a young adult demographic about the facts and risks of sexually transmitted infections and diseases?One Stone students were alarmed by this statistic: one out of two sexually active individuals between 15-24 will contract a STI/STD. Further, Idaho has one of the lowest STI testing rates. To change these grim health statistics, a team of One Stone students worked with public health experts to design an event that would raise awareness and provide information in a casual, judgement-free, teen-friendly environment. Gathering at a local coffee shop after hours, teens from schools across the Treasure Valley dropped in for an opportunity to learn more about how they could stay safe and healthy.

How might we teach kids to see the connection between food and being healthy?

In the summer of 2014, One Stone students met with residents from the Idaho Youth Ranch’s Hays Shelter Home, and identified a mutual passion for helping families affected by cancer. Using the design thinking process, they pivoted to a more specific prevention-focused goal, zeroing in on the connection between a healthy diet and prevention. After extensive research and empathy work in the field, the team designed a project to teach kids to make healthy, disease-fighting snacks and meals that were easy to prepare and easy to incorporate in their day-to-day lives.

Your Relationship, Your Choice.

How might we raise teens’ awareness of signs of unhealthy relationships?

The statistics relating to relationship violence are alarming:

• One in four women will experience domestic violence her in life.
• 40% of children are exposed to violence every year.
• Each year, 1.5 million high school students experience physical abuse from a dating partner.

A team of One Stone students took on this complex public health crisis, with a particular focus on raising awareness of the issue amongst teens. Unhealthy or abusive relationships can have significant lasting consequences for teens, as they are heavily influenced by their relationships. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that youth who experience dating violence are more likely to experience the following: