Skylar's Run Certified Educator
Version 1.0 · 5 modules · ~40 minutes
Your Learning Journey
Complete all 5 modules in order to earn your certification.
What Is Skylar's Run?
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What Is Skylar's Run?
Program overview, cognitive science, and your role as a trainer
Skylar's Run is a cognitive training program designed to strengthen attention, impulse control, and self-regulation in children. It does this through a video game that uses a real-time AV headset — meaning the child controls the game with their mind.
The program features 15 missions tailored to enhance executive function and cognitive skills, adapting to each player's skill level. Sessions should be held 2–3 times per week.
Your role as a trainer:
- Fit the AV headset properly at the start of each session
- Support players through gameplay without being overly encouraging
- Document attendance, progress, and any technical issues
- Maintain a calm, consistent, distraction-minimal environment
Environment checklist:
- Distraction-minimal area with comfortable, upright seating at tables
- Stable Wi-Fi connection with login details readily available
- Secure storage for equipment, allowing for charging when not in use
Complete Your Tasks
Complete all tasks before the quiz becomes available.
Watch the 3-minute overview video to see the program in action and understand the student experience.
Download and review the Thynk 13 Cognitive Skills One Pager.
Confirm you understand Skylar's Run is a cognitive skill development tool
Complete Your Quiz
Complete all tasks before the quiz becomes available.
1. How often should Skylar's Run sessions be held per week?
2. Which of the following best describes your role as a trainer?
3. How many total missions does Skylar's Run contain?
The AV Headset
In Progress✓ CompleteNot StartedThe AV Headset
Fitting procedure, care, and best practices
The THYNK AV headset has three forehead sensors and one sensor on the right mastoid (behind the ear). It reads the child's brainwave activity in real time, feeding directly into the game's BCI Meter — which controls Skylar's running speed.
Before your in-person training session, watch the Headset Fitting Video in your trainer materials
AV headset fitting procedure (step by step):
- Use alcohol prep pads to clean the player's forehead and right mastoid area behind the ear.
- Adjust the velcro strap for a snug fit, ensuring no hair interferes with sensor contact.
- Position the mastoid sensor flush against the skin behind the ear, sliding it forward for optimal contact.
- Align forehead sensors just below the hairline.
- Re-secure the strap comfortably, adjusting for the individual's head shape.
- Re-adjust if there's undue pressure on the ear to avoid discomfort.
- Document the fitting with a photo for reference.
If the mastoid sensor is too high, lower the headband to the bottom of the head while keeping forehead sensors at the top of the forehead.
Headset care and best practices:
- It is best practice for students to use the same headset every time they play. Students should record their headset ID# (located on the mastoid bone sensor) and login credentials in an easy-to-find location.
- Always keep the device charged.
- Ensure direct contact between sensors and skin — sweep all hair back before putting the headset on. No hair should be tucked under any sensor pad.
- Boost connectivity with water: dab the sensor pad with a small amount of water to lightly moisten it. This creates a moisture bridge for a faster, more stable signal.
Complete Your Tasks
Complete all tasks before the quiz becomes available.
Watch the Headset Fitting Video
alcohol prep pads, saline, micro-USB charger
Practice the full fitting procedure on at least 3 people with different head sizes (with engagement specialist)
Complete Your Quiz
Complete all tasks before the quiz becomes available.
1. How many drops of saline go on each forehead sensor?
2. What is the recommended way to boost headset connectivity?
3. Where is the headset ID# located?
Gameplay Mechanics
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Runner, Fog Analysis, Mission 1, and the mission structure
Each mission (except Mission 1) has two parts: the Runner and the Fog Analysis. A player must complete both to advance to the next mission.
The Runner:
- Players guide Skylar through a course; Skylar's speed reflects focus level (0–100 on BCI Meter)
- To pass, players must earn at least 1 star
- In Missions 1–3: passing is determined by Skylar's speed (focus)
- In Missions 4–15: passing is determined by tapping the correct smogbots (not speed)
- Players get 3 attempts; after 3, the game automatically moves them to Fog Analysis
- An attempt only counts if the player reaches the end of the Runner
In missions 4–15, remind players: speed doesn't help you pass. Tapping the right bots does. If a bot and a crystal appear at the same time, tap the bot first. If a bot and an obstacle appear together, tap the bot first — getting bonked by the obstacle is okay.
The Fog Analysis (~6 minutes):
- Players see a petri dish and three target molecules on screen
- During Freezing Mode: select only the molecules that match the targets
- During Decoding Mode: maintain focus above the threshold to fill the molecules
- 3 attempts allowed; after 3 failed attempts, the mission is considered complete
Mission 1 is unique.
Instead of a Runner and Fog Analysis, it has:
- The Calabrus — facial movement analysis to filter out AV headset noise unrelated to attention
- The Vigilock — a 10-minute focus task (react to light flashes on screen)
During Mission 1, players must NOT move or adjust the headset during the Calabrus or Vigilock — this causes a restart. The Vigilock auto-opens after 2 attempts. A 3-minute minimum must be played for an attempt to count.
Complete Your Tasks
Complete all tasks before the quiz becomes available.
Watch the Calabrus Video
Review the Mission Overview table in the trainer guide — know which missions use speed vs. bot-tapping to pass
Memorize the 3-attempt rule for both Runner and Fog Analysis
Complete Your Quiz
Complete all tasks before the quiz becomes available.
1. In missions 4–15, what determines whether a player passes the Runner?
2. What happens after a player fails the Runner 3 times?
3. What is the Calabrus in Mission 1?
4. A child is halfway through the Runner and can tell they won't pass. What should you tell them?
Running a Session
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Setup, facilitation, documentation, and player support
Materials needed for each session:
- Headsets (fully charged, using micro-USB cords)
- Devices (fully charged, with cases/stands)
- Headphones (plug-in preferable to Bluetooth)
- Saline (make sure all bottles are punctured by twisting the cap)
- Alcohol prep pads (for wiping down foreheads and mastoids)
- Hair ties
- Sharpened pencils
Desk setup for each participant:
- Assigned headset
- Assigned device
- Assigned headphones (if using)
- Skylar's Run Training Log (if utilizing)
Timing matters: A Runner attempt takes ~15 minutes; a Fog Analysis takes ~6 minutes. Make sure there's enough time before starting a new module — don't let players get cut off mid-attempt.
Sample session sequence:
- Welcome participants and mark as present on the attendance sheet.
- Show each participant to their assigned seat.
- Instruct the participant to put their headset on, log in, and select the headset from the in-game list.
- Players always start on the latest available mission.
- When participants finish, ask them to fully quit the Skylar's Run app.
- Have students fill out any reflections or trackers (Training Log, Cohort Tracker, Bingo Board).
- Wipe down headsets, headphones, and device screens with appropriate wipes.
- Plug headsets and devices into chargers.
How to scaffold player support (only if struggling):
- Explain what's coming up in the mission if it's a new level
- Remind them: taking a deep breath before starting can help!
- The goal of every attempt is to reach the end — not necessarily to pass
- In missions 4–15: crystals don't count — only bots do
- Remind them not to squint or clench their jaw — this slows Skylar down
Only scaffold if a child is actively struggling. If they're progressing fine on their own, let them play without commentary.
Complete Your Tasks
Complete all tasks before the quiz becomes available.
Set up a sample desk space with: assigned headset, device, headphones, Training Log
Practice the full app quit procedure on a device (swipe up → pause → close)
Review the Cohort Tracker and Training Log so you're ready to document on Day 1
Complete Your Quiz
Complete all tasks before the quiz becomes available.
1. What should a player do after finishing a gameplay session?
2. Which mission should a player start on when they log in?
3. A child is progressing well through a mission on their own. What should you do?
Helpful Resources
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Helpful Resources
Key documents and guides for your Skylar's Run sessions
The following resources are available to support you and your students throughout the Skylar's Run program. Download and bookmark these for easy access.
Available resources:
- Quick Start Guide
— A brief overview for students and teachers on getting started with Skylar's Run.
- Caring for Thynk AV Headsets Classroom Poster
— Post this in your classroom as a reference for proper headset care.
- Mission Overview and Game Play Guide
— A full breakdown of all 15 missions and gameplay mechanics.
- Skylar's Run Training Log
— Use this to track each student's session progress.
- Cohort Tracker
— Track progress across your full group of players.
- Skylar's Run Bingo Board
— A fun engagement tool for students to use during their training.
- Training Guide
— The full Skylar's Run Trainer Training Guide for your reference.
Complete Your Tasks
Complete all tasks before the quiz becomes available.
Download and save the Quick Start Guide for easy access during sessions
Print or display the Caring for Thynk AV Headsets poster in your classroom
Review the Mission Overview and Game Play Guide before your first session