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Exercise, nutrition and you: an off-campus course for grades 2-12
Ann C Snyder1, Debra K Mauzy-Melitz
1Human Performance Laboratory, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, 53201, USA. acs@uwm.edu
Advances in Physiology Education
|May 21, 2005
Summary
This exercise physiology course in parks engaged students in hands-on science, improving understanding of exercise and healthy living. The program successfully integrated active learning with curriculum goals.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Health Education
- K-12 Science Education
Background:
- Declining interest in science classes among youth.
- Increasing rates of obesity, particularly in young populations.
- Need for innovative approaches to science and health education.
Purpose of the Study:
- To promote active-learning science and healthy living through an exercise physiology-based course.
- To integrate exercise, nutrition, and health concepts into a practical learning experience.
- To provide students with a real-life understanding of physiological responses to exercise.
Main Methods:
- A 10-day course conducted in public parks for over 500 students from 10 schools.
- Emphasis on hands-on, laboratory-based modules covering respiratory, cardiovascular, temperature regulation, energy expenditure, and oxygen uptake.
- Students performed measurements at rest and during exercise at varying intensities.
Main Results:
- High student involvement and engagement in problem-solving activities.
- Positive evaluations indicating a real-life science experience.
- Enhanced student understanding of bodily functions and the purpose of exercise.
Conclusions:
- The program effectively bridged classroom learning with practical application.
- The course successfully met science curriculum objectives while promoting healthy living.
- This model offers a viable strategy for science and health education in informal settings.