Project School*Vape*Science: Combining Student-Led Research and E-Cigarette Prevention in Secondary Education

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Adolescent Health
• Science Education

Background:

• Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) use is a growing concern among adolescents.
• School-based prevention programs for ENDS are scarce in Germany.
• Existing programs often lack scientific and participatory elements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the implementation and initial acceptability of the School*Vape*Science program.
• To evaluate a participatory, science-based approach to addressing ENDS risks in schools.
• To assess the program's potential as a scalable model for nicotine prevention.

Main Methods:

• A six-week elective course and 90-minute sessions were developed for grades 5-12.
• Students engaged in scientific methodology, investigating ENDS risks through surveys and data collection.
• Program evaluation used standardized digital questionnaires and analyzed student enjoyment and course structure.

Main Results:

• The program was implemented in three secondary schools in northern Germany during 2024.
• 47 students participated in the six-week project groups, with 977 attending school-wide sessions.
• Student participants reported a mean enjoyment score of 7.08/10 and found the course logically coherent.

Conclusions:

• The School*Vape*Science program is implementable and generally accepted within secondary school settings.
• The participatory, science-based approach shows potential as a scalable model for nicotine prevention.
• Further controlled, longitudinal research is needed to evaluate program effects on knowledge and behavior.