MADD SmartWheels

Interactive
Branding
Copywriting

Getting Ahead of Substance Abuse with a Mobile Classroom

Deliverables

  • Identity
  • Graphics
  • Classroom Design
  • Interior and Exterior Graphics
  • Equipment Consultation
  • Construction Consultation
  • VR Video
  • Live Action video

The national charitable organization MADD Canada (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) is dedicated to preventing impaired driving. Studies have revealed that alcohol and cannabis use can begin early and increase steadily between Grades 7 and 12. To reach youth early on, MADD Canada wanted to create an engaging and educational experience for elementary students.

The challenge was how to reach today’s youth, and how to leverage the latest technology that these children are accustomed to interacting with. MADD Canada started with the idea of gutting an RV and building out an interactive classroom that they could drive to different schools and use to educate students in person across the province of Ontario. They had a vision but did not know how to create it. Overdrive won the bid to make it a reality.

The program presents on-screen video hosts, who introduce a short video, scripted and storyboarded by Overdrive, that describes the effects of alcohol and cannabis on developing brains and bodies and discusses the consequences of impaired driving. We designed and developed interactive educational content, with the curriculum obtained from MADD’s educational consultants. Students use individual tablets to respond to a questionnaire about their general knowledge about impairment as well as participate in three “choose your own adventure”-style decision-making scenarios.

The SmartWheels Experience

Two impaired driving simulations were created with 360 degree video

The conclusion of the program is an immersive 360 degree video, accessed via VR headsets, that allows students to experience what it is like to drive impaired by alcohol or drugs. Overdrive produced this video, including scripting, location scouting, storyboarding and casting.

Credits

Overdrive Design – Design and Interactive
Mediaterian – Live Video Production
Making 360 – 360 Video
Marc Alcide – Additional Photography
The Taylor Group – RV Construction
Freeman Audio Visual – Audio system

Special Thanks

MADD Canada

SmartWheels was a hit, with tons of praise and excitement from students and teachers. After reaching thousands of youth and expanding to Saskatchewan, MADD retired the program du eto the constraints of COVID 19.

Here are a few quotes from teachers after the experience:

”The students really enjoyed it with so much active participation. Very interactive and state of the art technology got the students very excited and eager to learn… Students LOVED the real life experience using the VR goggles. “ Weston Nesbitt, Forestview Public School (Niagara Falls).

“The presentation was highly interactive and engaging for my students. The Virtual Reality experience, and sharing of story of those affected by impaired drivers was impactful. V. Armstrong, Oscar Petersen Public School (Mississauga).”