Billionaire Vanishes

Billionaire Max Bernhard has vanished! He will not return until he recovers something of great value, and his associates are asking seventh grade students around the state for assistance, in a game designed to help them learn about tobacco and discover web-based resources that provide them with vital health information.

“The Billionaire Vanishes” is designed for seventh grade students, and sets them forth on a mission to solve six different puzzles to receive clues and rewards from Max’s vault. Each clue is a letter, and when the six letters are correctly arranged, the answer reveals the priceless asset Max seeks. The task of finding Max takes students on a journey of tobacco use prevention, control websites, and tobacco company sites.

“The Billionaire Vanishes” is intended to complement evidence-based tobacco prevention programs. The game was developed to:

• use current technology on laptop computers.
• ask engaging questions to encourage analysis and critical thinking skills.
• promote class discussion surrounding topics such as tobacco industry advertising.
• teach students ways to help friends and family members quit.
• present the facts about the long- and short-term benefits of quitting, the effects of secondhand smoke, and the financial cost of tobacco use.
• help kids discover the truth about smoking and tobacco addiction.