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ASSOCIATED LINKS
Braincells
Then came the hackers and cyberbullies.
"Braincells" is an on-line computer game designed for middle school students,
ages 11 to 15, to learn the importance of Cellphone Safety.
It is brought to students in Plymouth County, free of charge due to the efforts of
District Attorney Tim Cruz, and the generous donation from Live Wires Design, LTD.
"Braincells" is an on-line game. It is built around the photoanimation story of a
young teen, Oliver, and the school bully, Eddie.
Eddie discovers he can manipulate Oliver by threatening him physically and on-line.
Oliver attempts to win Eddie’s friendship by instigating a cyber-war with the school principal.
Protect Yourself
1. Stop Bullying:
Sooner or later, everyone encounters bullying behavior.
Learn the signs that an attack may be coming.
Collaborate with friends and trusted adults on a plan you will follow if you are in danger.
2. Guard your phone:
Purchase a cellphone with protective software and use it!
Never open messages from strangers. You may be opening your cellphone to hackers or viruses.
3. Stop Cyberbullying:
Cyberbullying needs an appreciative audience.
You can help stop cyberbullying by showing you do not approve of hurting others
with cruel messages or humiliating images.
The Massachusetts Launch of the Braincells Program
Students in Plymouth and Bristol Counties are the first
in the United States to use the "Braincells" program.
in the United States to use the "Braincells" program.
Plymouth District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz and Bristol District Attorney Sam Sutter
announced a joint initiative with LiveWires Design LTD to launch Braincells, an innovative computer game developed to educate students about cyberbullies and cell phone hackers.
and Drew Ann Wake of Live Wires Design, LTD.
District Attorney Cruz and District Attorney Sutter, were joined
by Drew Ann Wake, president of LiveWires Design and Raynham Police Chief Lou Pacheco
at Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School to announce the launch of the game.
As part of this collaboration, the game will be available to educate students
in both counties free of charge for one year.
by Drew Ann Wake, president of LiveWires Design and Raynham Police Chief Lou Pacheco
at Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School to announce the launch of the game.
As part of this collaboration, the game will be available to educate students
in both counties free of charge for one year.
District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz stated,
"One of the biggest challenges facing kids today
is how to navigate safely in this increasingly technical world.
Today, kids often communicate on the internet and through cell phone text messages.
Braincells not only teaches children appropriate cell phone behavior,
but it also helps them recognize unsafe behavior."
Students from the Hanson Middle School
assist in the development of Braincells
assist in the development of Braincells
In early January 2009, students from the Hanson Middle School, under the direction
of Officer Rick Nawazelski, were asked to attend a workshop to beta test the Braincells game.
The students were asked come up with effective responses to four text messages in the game.
The students' responses assisted Live Wires Design with the development of
a successful cellphone safety plan. The purpose of the safety plan is to help
students recognize when they are in a cyberbullying situation. It equips them with the
necessary steps that they will need to take to effectively put an end to cyberbullying.
The five best responses have been incorporated into the final version of the Braincells game.
Later that month, the students attended a second workshop. They worked with
Drew Ann Wake of Live Wires Design. The students were asked to come up with
ideas that could be written into a script for a cartoon promo of the Braincells game.
The animated program is set in the fictitious Braincells High, which is in turmoil.
Eddie the Bully steals cell phones from younger students. He hacks into
the school computer and "improves" his marks. He then initiates a series
of cyberbullying incidents which pit the students against one another.
In the final game, ´Get Eddie´, players bring peace to the school.
The game is broken down into three areas: Hacking, Bullying and Cyberbullying.
The Hacking portion of the game was beta tested with students from Canada.
The Bullying portion of the game was beta tested with students from the Netherlands,
and the Cyberbullying portion of the game was beta tested with students
from both Plymouth and Bristol counties.
The Winners of the Cell Phone Safety Plan
and the Cartoon Promo Contests
and the Cartoon Promo Contests
with the winners of the Cell Phone Safety Plan and the Cartoon Promo Contests.
(missing from this picture: student winner, Brendan Hayward and teacher, Tom Kilduff)
Cell Phone Safety Plan Contest Winners:
Rachael Baker, Paige Caswell, Jessica DeMont
Brendan Hayward, and Samantha Smith
Cartoon Promotion Contest Winners:
Jake Bowen, Brendan Hayward, Caroline Merry
Katie Peloquin and Kylie Vaughn
Many Thanks to our Beta Testers:
Jack Crowley Jessica DeMont, Alexander Duclos, Brendan Hayward
Nadine LeBeau, Kevin McKenna, Caroline Merry, Ryan O'Donnell, Kathleen Peloquin
Alexander Quadros, Samantha Smith, Michaela Terrell, Mark Troupe, Kylie Vaughn
Principal Martin Geoghegan, Officer Rick Nawazelski and teachers: Jessica Hobin and Tom Kilduff
(missing from this picture: student winner, Brendan Hayward and teacher, Tom Kilduff)
for more information on this program, please visit:
