Sustainable Me! Engaging Middle School Students

Abstract

ObjectiveConduct a highly interactive in-school event for students in grades 5-8 that focuses on sustainable: personal and community health, personal and global environment, personal relationships, local foods, and personal finances.Target audienceMiddle school students in grades 5 to 8 in New Jersey.Theory, Prior Research, RationaleThe CDC identified several key behaviors to prevent obesity, including increasing intake of fruits/vegetables and increasing physical activity. Community agencies and nutrition educators can find middle school students difficult to engage in nutrition/health related programs.DescriptionA group of committed community collaborators joined forces to tackle the sustainability issues, health, environment, personal relationships, local foods, and finances, by interacting students with a variety of community health agencies. Sustainable Me encourages action about sustaining wellness for students, grades 5 to 8.Evaluation1,115 students in grades 5 to 8 in 9 schools participated in a pre-survey (3-5 days prior to event) and a follow-up survey (2 weeks after then event). The in-school event includes 60 minutes of targeted mini-lessons appropriate for students. Follow-up survey data (n=940 students): 75% reduced bullying 54% recycled more often 45% changed behavior to prevent disease 37% increased consumption of fruits & vegetables 24% increased practice of personal safety Additional writing activity assignment: Design your personal plan to sustain good health and a healthy environment.Conclusions and ImplicationsSustainable Me can be replicated by nutrition educators. Collaboration with a group of local health-related agencies is essential for a successful event. Students can be successfully engaged in a highly active, educational setting.FundingNone. ObjectiveConduct a highly interactive in-school event for students in grades 5-8 that focuses on sustainable: personal and community health, personal and global environment, personal relationships, local foods, and personal finances. Conduct a highly interactive in-school event for students in grades 5-8 that focuses on sustainable: personal and community health, personal and global environment, personal relationships, local foods, and personal finances. Target audienceMiddle school students in grades 5 to 8 in New Jersey. Middle school students in grades 5 to 8 in New Jersey. Theory, Prior Research, RationaleThe CDC identified several key behaviors to prevent obesity, including increasing intake of fruits/vegetables and increasing physical activity. Community agencies and nutrition educators can find middle school students difficult to engage in nutrition/health related programs. The CDC identified several key behaviors to prevent obesity, including increasing intake of fruits/vegetables and increasing physical activity. Community agencies and nutrition educators can find middle school students difficult to engage in nutrition/health related programs. DescriptionA group of committed community collaborators joined forces to tackle the sustainability issues, health, environment, personal relationships, local foods, and finances, by interacting students with a variety of community health agencies. Sustainable Me encourages action about sustaining wellness for students, grades 5 to 8. A group of committed community collaborators joined forces to tackle the sustainability issues, health, environment, personal relationships, local foods, and finances, by interacting students with a variety of community health agencies. Sustainable Me encourages action about sustaining wellness for students, grades 5 to 8. Evaluation1,115 students in grades 5 to 8 in 9 schools participated in a pre-survey (3-5 days prior to event) and a follow-up survey (2 weeks after then event). The in-school event includes 60 minutes of targeted mini-lessons appropriate for students. Follow-up survey data (n=940 students): 75% reduced bullying 54% recycled more often 45% changed behavior to prevent disease 37% increased consumption of fruits & vegetables 24% increased practice of personal safety Additional writing activity assignment: Design your personal plan to sustain good health and a healthy environment. 1,115 students in grades 5 to 8 in 9 schools participated in a pre-survey (3-5 days prior to event) and a follow-up survey (2 weeks after then event). The in-school event includes 60 minutes of targeted mini-lessons appropriate for students. Follow-up survey data (n=940 students): 75% reduced bullying 54% recycled more often 45% changed behavior to prevent disease 37% increased consumption of fruits & vegetables 24% increased practice of personal safety Additional writing activity assignment: Design your personal plan to sustain good health and a healthy environment. Conclusions and ImplicationsSustainable Me can be replicated by nutrition educators. Collaboration with a group of local health-related agencies is essential for a successful event. Students can be successfully engaged in a highly active, educational setting. Sustainable Me can be replicated by nutrition educators. Collaboration with a group of local health-related agencies is essential for a successful event. Students can be successfully engaged in a highly active, educational setting.