Observational StudyNCT07072741
Assessing the Feasibility and Acceptability of Watching Queen of Katwe as a Role Model Intervention Among Adolescents in High Schools in Kenya
A study of Observational Study, run by Shamiri Institute at 2 sites in Kenya.
Trial summary
This study will test whether using the film Queen of Katwe as a role model story can help motivate and engage high school students in Kenya. The film is based on the true story of Phiona Mutesi, a Ugandan girl who becomes a chess champion despite growing up in poverty. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 13 to 19 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Observational Study
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 77 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesKenya
- Study dates
- 3 Jul 2025to 30 Aug 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 13 to 19 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult
Who may be able to join
- Participants must be high school students in the selected school.
- Participants must be between the ages of 13 to 19.
Who cannot join
- There will be no other exclusion criteria.
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country.
About this study
This study will test whether using the film Queen of Katwe as a role model story can help motivate and engage high school students in Kenya. The film is based on the true story of Phiona Mutesi, a Ugandan girl who becomes a chess champion despite growing up in poverty. The study will take place in a mixed secondary school in Ngong town, Kajiado County, with about 250 students aged 13 to 19. Students will watch the film at school. To see if the approach works well, researchers will collect data before and after the film showing.
They will check:
- Feasibility (how easy it is to carry out, including costs and logistics)
- Acceptability (how students and teachers feel about it)
- Engagement (how involved students are) Surveys and focus groups will be used to gather feedback. The goal is to see if this low-cost method could be used more widely to support learning and motivation in schools.
Read the detailed description
This study examines the feasibility and acceptability of using the film Queen of Katwe-which tells the true story of Phiona Mutesi, a Ugandan girl from an underprivileged background who becomes a chess champion-as a role model intervention to inspire motivation and academic engagement among adolescents in high school students in Kenya. Media-based interventions have gained recognition as effective tools for promoting student learning and well-being, yet their implementation in school settings remains underexplored. This study will employ a feasibility study design and be conducted in a mixed secondary school in Ngong town, Kajiado County, Kenya, with a sample of ~250 students aged 13-19 years. Students will watch Queen of Katwe in their school setting, and data will be collected before and after the intervention to assess feasibility, acceptability, and engagement. Feasibility will be evaluated based on logistical observations, cost analysis, and the Feasibility of Intervention Measure. Acceptability will be assessed through a screening survey using the Acceptability of Intervention Measure, while focus group discussions with students and teachers will provide qualitative insights. The findings will offer valuable evidence on the potential of media-based interventions to enhance motivation and academic engagement in Kenyan schools. If found feasible and acceptable, this low-cost, scalable approach could inform future educational policies and programs aimed at supporting student aspirations and learning outcomes.
- Conditions
- Observational Study
- Being tested
- Shamiri Queen of Katwe Intervention
- Keywords
- Queen of Katwe, Media-based intervention, Role model intervention, Film-based learning, Low-cost intervention, Adolescent motivation
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Shamiri Queen of Katwe InterventionOther
The intervention involves screening the film Queen of Katwe to high school students in a school setting.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Shamiri Queen of Katwe | Experimental | The session itself will take approximately two hours-this includes student assembly, an introduction to the study, and the screening of Queen of Katwe Receives: Other: Shamiri Queen of Katwe Intervention |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Mean change in aspiration score from baseline on the Aspirations Index through study completion
Changes in self-reported aspirations as measured by the Aspiration Index is used to assess long term aspirations and goals that individuals hope to accomplish in their lives. In this study, we will use a shortened 15-item version of this scale including items on aspirations of wealth, fame, image, personal growth, relationship, community and health. The scores for each item ranges between 1-7, with higher scores indicating higher aspirations.
Measured: From baseline through endline, an average of two days
Mean change in school engagement score from baseline on the School Engagement Measure through study completion.
Changes in self-reported school engagement as measured by the School Engagement Measure refer to a student's emotional, behavioural, and cognitive involvement in school activities and learning. This is a 19-item measure with responses measured on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (not at all true) to 5 (very true). Higher scores indicate greater school engagement.
Measured: From baseline through endline, an average of two days
Change in academic performance as measured using the average grades
Changes in academic performance as measured using the average grades obtained from the most recent exam prior to the intervention, and the first available exam following the implementation of the intervention.
Measured: Periprocedural - From academic exam results pre-intervention to academic exam results post-intervention, up to three months
Mean score of the Feasibility of Intervention Measure at study completion
Feasibility of Intervention Measure tracks metrics such as ease of setting up the screenings, logistical challenges, and time constraints. It assesses the extent to which an intervention can be successfully implemented within a given setting. This is a 4-item measure with responses measured on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (Completely disagree) to 5 (Completely agree). Higher scores indicate a better outcome, good scores on the feasibility of the intervention.
Measured: At study completion, up to three months
Mean score of the Acceptability of Intervention Measure at study completion
Acceptability of Intervention Measure assess the acceptability of the intervention by participants. This 4-item measure evaluates stakeholders' perception of an intervention's acceptability, determining whether they find it agreeable, satisfactory, or palatable. Responses are measured on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (Completely disagree) to 5 (Completely agree). Higher scores indicate a better outcome, the acceptability of the intervention.
Measured: At study completion, up to three months
Mean score of the Intervention Appropriateness Measure at study completion
Intervention Appropriateness Measure assesses perceptions of participants' intervention appropriateness. It measures the perceived fit, relevance, or compatibility of an intervention within a particular context. This 4-item measure determines whether an intervention aligns with the needs of a specific population, organisational goals, or existing workflows. Responses are measured on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (Completely disagree) to 5 (Completely agree). Higher scores indicate a better outcome, the appropriateness of the intervention.
Measured: At study completion, up to three months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted18 Jul 2025
- Study start3 Jul 2025
- Primary completion23 Jul 2025
- Study completion30 Aug 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Observational StudyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 77 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Shamiri Institute
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Tom L Osborn, Principal investigator, Shamiri Institute
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07072741
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Shamiri Queen of Katwe Project
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 30 Jun 2025
- Last updated
- 9 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: The investigators intend to share fully de-identified data through publications and upon request.