How We Unlearn the Ignorance: Fill the Need for a Comprehensive Sex Education in China with a Virtual 3D Learning Space 

At Harvard Graduate School of Education, I worked on an educational technology project called “Curiosity Out Loud,” which is a virtual 3D environment for Chinese teenagers to explore, collaborate, and communicate with fellow students and field experts on the topic of gender and sexuality.

The Problem

Challenges met when implementing sex education program in Chinese middle schools:

• Objection from the government, principals, and parents
• A lack of teachers/volunteers who are able to teach comprehensive sex ed
• Students are not motivated to learn this curriculum when it is not related to the high school entrance exam in China
• Students sometimes feel embarrassed or uncomfortable learning this curriculum

My Approach

By conducting expert and user interviews, building product prototypes and the Minimum Viable Product (MVP), following through a product roadmap, and testing for evidence of impact, I was able to use this learning space to promote psychological safety and engagement in conversations around sexuality for Chinese teenagers.

Minimum Viable Product

Evidence of Impact

During the testing, I found that Chinese teenagers were feeling more psychologically safe and engaged in conversations around sexuality

• continuously growing number of posts or replies on forum
• actively signing up for and participating in expert's office hours
• more capable of rejecting unwanted conversations or dealing with conflicting desires
• willing to share learning experiences with peers and/or parents in daily conversations

Skills Involved

Data Analysis, A/B Testing, Project Management, Product Management, Competitive Analysis, Market Research, Product Road Mapping, Team Collaboration