To help bring the latest education around head injuries for our sports community, the National Council of Youth Sports has forged a special partnership with TeachAids, a nonprofit leader in global education innovation. Spun out of Stanford University, TeachAids developed the CrashCourse concussion education product suite. In collaboration with leading medical, sports and education experts, we are working with TeachAids to produce and distribute free, video-based interactive learning experiences that aim to raise awareness of the latest science around concussions to shift the conversation away from fear and silence toward one of knowledge and empowerment.

CrashCourse | Brain Fly-Through

Using state-of-the-art technology from Stanford University’s Neurosurgical Simulation and Virtual Reality Center, the CrashCourse Brain Fly-Through conceptualizes an otherwise “invisible injury”. With dramatic race footage coupled with her own personal concussion experience, world mountain biking champion Kate Courtney takes the viewer on a journey through the human brain. This fly-through showcases the brain’s blood vessels, nervous system and cerebrospinal fluid cavities while emphasizing the complexity and fragility of the brain – as well as the importance of caring for it.

This eight-minute production can be accessed through the link above, or on YouTube as a standard video and in virtual reality. It was launched in collaboration with the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s national sports governing bodies including USA Archery, USA Artistic Swimming, USA Baseball, USA Bobsled & Skeleton, USA Cycling, USA Diving, USA Fencing, USA Field Hockey, USA Football, USA Gymnastics, USA Hockey, US Lacrosse, US Ski & Snowboard, US Speedskating, USA Taekwondo, USA Triathlon, and USA Wrestling.

CrashCourse | Concussion Education

This CrashCourse curriculum was created with user-centered formative design research studies. It synthesizes first-person and third-person experiential perspectives to inform and motivate learning about concussion signs and symptoms, correcting myths and misconceptions, recognizing the seriousness of reporting and understanding the importance of working with a physician to determine the best strategy for improvement. It integrates these topics into a narrative story-driven format with the learner at the center of the education experience.

Upon receiving a concussion, and using a “choose your own adventure” style approach, the learner must decide between a moral dilemma: selecting “Take a Knee” or “Stay in the Game” option. Each decision leads the learner down a different path to reflect the consequences (both positive and negative) of their decision.

This twelve-minute production can be accessed through the link above, or on YouTube as a standard video and in virtual reality.

CrashCourse | Concussion Story Wall

This product is an interactive database of more than 700 individual’s stories relating to how an injury occurred, the symptoms experienced, and personal insights from those who have been injured by a concussion. It is intended as a comprehensive mental health resource for the many who are impacted – including athletes, parents, coaches, officials, teachers, and military veterans. An additional highlight of this product is a panel of 14 of the world’s leading medical experts addressing specific aspects of concussions related to symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

The CrashCourse Concussion Story Wall product is presented in collaboration with the Brain Injury Association of America, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Stanford Program on International and Cross-Cultural Education and 19 of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s National Governing Bodies, which include: USA Archery, USA Artistic Swimming, USA Baseball, USA Bobsled & Skeleton, USA Cycling, USA Diving, USA Fencing, USA Field Hockey, USA Football, USA Gymnastics, USA Hockey, USA Karate, US Lacrosse, US Ski & Snowboard, US Soccer, US Speedskating, USA Taekwondo, USA Triathlon and USA Wrestling.