The Three Pillars of Awareness

Cutting-Edge Technology

The way humans operate on a day-by-day basis has changed drastically. We interact with technology exponentially more than we did a mere 20 years ago. Tablet PCs, smart phones, wireless internet anywhere—the ways in which we perceive information are becoming more and more technology-oriented.

We at PEERS Foundation recognize the importance of working within this new trend. That is why we use all of the most cutting-edge technology in our interactive programs. For example, our DUI simulator uses a real car—not some artificial simulator—to give students the perspective of actually driving. The car is suspended on sensors which receive input from the “driver.” Our technicians get information from the “driver,” such as body type, gender, and height, and then they calculate a specialized rendering of hypothetical drinks per hour. The students put on the heads-up display (HUD) and attempt to drive the vehicle through real road conditions, including rain, snow, and ice.



Peer Influence

Humans are social creatures. We like to connect with others and share experiences. This allows us to learn through others by their experiences, by discussion, and by encouraging behaviors.

We keep this in mind when designing our programs. Our Dare to Face Your Future program, for instance, allows students to walk through an interactive museum-like exhibit with their peers. By inciting interactivity among students, awareness of important topics spreads on its own, fueled by social interaction. This also allows students to learn from other students’ experiences, and gives them a chance to tell others of their own experiences. Operating in the scope of social interaction, our programs impact students much more significantly than traditional lecturing which keeps students silently listening.



Own Proof Source

Humans learn best by doing themselves. When we were kids, it wasn’t enough to hear that the stove was hot—we had to touch it ourselves to learn our lesson. This metaphor carries over to many different situations, but the process is still the same: by being in the experience, we learn the best.

By designing our programs to first and foremost be interactive, we are able to put students inside the experiences. With our DUI Simulator, students get to experience for themselves the dangers of drunk driving in a real car, but with no real danger to themselves. While lecturing, campaigns, and public service announcements may bombard students with drunk driving awareness, our programs are able to impact each student on an individual, personal level.