Amaze

AMAZE.org is a pioneering online platform dedicated to providing comprehensive, age-appropriate, and medically accurate sexual education for adolescents aged 10 to 14. Launched in September 2016, it is a collaborative initiative among three leading organizations in the field of sex education: Advocates for Youth, Answer, and Youth Tech Health. The platform was established to address the pressing need for accessible and engaging sexual education resources, aiming to dispel myths, reduce stigma, and promote healthy attitudes toward sexuality among young people.

About Amaze.org

AMAZE.org was launched in 2016 as a joint initiative between Advocates for Youth, Answer, and Youth Tech Health. These organizations aimed to revolutionize how sexual education was delivered to adolescents by filling a gap left by traditional methods, which often felt outdated, inaccessible, or overly formal. The platform’s creation was spearheaded by Debra Hauser, MPH, a passionate advocate for youth education and public health. Hauser and her collaborators envisioned a resource that could provide medically accurate, age-appropriate, and culturally sensitive sexual education through modern digital media. Since its inception, AMAZE.org has reached millions of young learners globally, with its YouTube channel garnering over 60 million views and its resources being used in more than 23 countries. The platform’s dedication to inclusivity and innovation has earned it accolades, including a place among the HundrED Global Collection, a list of top innovations in education.

Differentiation: What Makes AMAZE.org Special

What sets AMAZE.org apart is its creative approach to delivering sexual education. Using animated videos, it simplifies complex or potentially awkward topics, making them accessible and engaging for adolescents. Unlike traditional curricula, AMAZE.org involves young people in the content creation process, ensuring the topics resonate with its target audience. The material is reviewed rigorously by experts in public health and education, ensuring accuracy and appropriateness. Additionally, AMAZE.org emphasizes inclusivity, offering content that acknowledges diverse identities, experiences, and perspectives, which is a significant shift from more conventional, one-size-fits-all approaches to sexual education.

How to Get Started

Getting started with AMAZE.org is simple. The platform is completely free and accessible through its official website, amaze.org, and its YouTube channel. Parents, educators, and adolescents can navigate through categorized playlists that align with their needs, whether it’s puberty, gender identity, or healthy relationships. The platform also offers downloadable resources, discussion guides, and activity plans that are designed for use in homeschooling or classroom settings. For additional convenience, users can follow AMAZE.org on social media to stay updated on new content.

How It Works

AMAZE.org is highly adaptable for homeschooling families. The animated videos, typically two to five minutes long, can easily fit into daily or weekly lesson plans. Parents can incorporate them into a broader health education curriculum, pairing each video with follow-up discussions or reflection activities. A typical session might take 15 to 30 minutes and can be guided by parents or completed independently by students, depending on their age and maturity. The platform also includes discussion prompts and educational resources for parents to confidently facilitate conversations about sensitive topics.

What Educational Concepts It Teaches

AMAZE.org covers a comprehensive range of topics, addressing critical aspects of adolescent development and sexual health. The curriculum includes puberty and physical development, reproduction and pregnancy, consent and healthy relationships, sexual orientation and gender identity, body image and self-esteem, online safety and digital citizenship, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and contraception. Each topic is approached with sensitivity and a focus on inclusivity, ensuring that learners of all backgrounds feel represented and respected.

What’s Good About It

Users widely praise AMAZE.org for its ability to make sexual education engaging, informative, and accessible. The animated format reduces the discomfort often associated with these topics, and the inclusion of diverse voices ensures cultural relevance. Parents appreciate the ease of integrating AMAZE.org into their homeschooling routines, while educators commend its adherence to educational standards. Adolescents themselves enjoy the straightforward and non-judgmental tone of the videos, which encourage open dialogue and understanding.

What Could Be Improved

Despite its strengths, AMAZE.org has room for growth. Expanding its range of topics to include more nuanced discussions about cultural differences in sexual health could enhance its global relevance. Additionally, the platform would benefit from offering more accessibility features, such as subtitles in multiple languages and audio descriptions for visually impaired users. Frequent updates to reflect the latest research and societal changes are also crucial to maintaining its position as a leading educational resource.

Advice from Parents on How to Get the Most Out of It

Parents who use AMAZE.org recommend watching videos with their children to foster open communication and trust. Setting aside regular times for discussions about the topics introduced helps normalize conversations around sexual health. Supplementing the videos with real-life examples or additional resources can reinforce the material and make it more relatable. Parents also suggest tailoring the content to the child’s developmental stage and comfort level, gradually introducing more complex topics as they grow.

Who It’s an Ideal Fit For

AMAZE.org is a perfect fit for parents seeking reliable, engaging sexual education resources for children aged 10 to 14. It is particularly well-suited for families who value inclusivity and cultural sensitivity in their educational materials. The platform is also ideal for educators looking for supplementary resources that align with modern educational standards and appeal to young audiences. Adolescents who prefer learning through interactive and visual media will find AMAZE.org especially appealing.

Who It’s Probably Not a Fit For

The platform may not be suitable for children younger than 10, as the content is specifically designed for older adolescents. Families or educators seeking in-depth resources on highly specialized or culturally specific topics may also find AMAZE.org’s offerings limited. Additionally, users without reliable internet access may struggle to utilize the platform’s online resources effectively.

Grades

AMAZE.org is primarily designed for students in grades 5 through 9, with content tailored to the developmental needs of this age group.

Cost

AMAZE.org is entirely free to access, making it an exceptionally valuable resource for families and educators with limited budgets.

Ways to Get It

The platform can be accessed online at amaze.org or through its YouTube channel. Users can also follow AMAZE.org on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for updates on new content. Educators can download supplementary materials directly from the website to support their teaching efforts.