NSTEP’s EAT WALK LIVE program was developed to build sustainability and capacity through professional development for teaching staff and classroom follow-up visits. Through fun and interactive games tailored to each grade, students learn about nutrition and physical activity. These games and activities are taught by both the teachers and school staff, as well as our NSTEP coordinators.

Students also participate in Snack Attacks, where student leaders from upper level classes (grades 4+) are taught how to make a healthy snack. These student leaders then go teach their classes, and then the students from these classes go and share their knowledge with their little buddies in K-3 grades. We believe that this interactive teaching cycle fosters a positive learning environment, and student leadership within the school.

Parents, guardians and caretakers are included in the program through our newsletters. Simple assessment tools are used with the students to track eating and activity habits, and results are reported back to both the school and parents. Many of the assessment tools are linked to other areas of the school curriculum, like math and computer science. For example, results from the “Snack Tracker” can be analyzed and turned into a bar or pie graph.

NSTEP Teen Brain is a series of 3 Professional Development one hour seminars for staff, (dates to be determined in consultation with school staff) then FOUR Teen Brain presentations for each youth in the school or community program.

The Junior High program includes:

• the neurological physiological changes happening to the teenage brain
• physical activity and its benefits for teen brains
  • Each presentation starts with physical activity such as 10 for 10 challenge, hemoglobin dance, “grocery cart” fundamental movement, dance for your heart, measuring pulse rate with different types of activity, etc.
• healthy eating
  • Eating breakfast to start your morning off right, the ups and downs of your blood sugar, fueling up for activities, etc.
• distracted teen and attention deficit disorder
• body image
• hydration
• mental well being
• de-stressing with activities like yoga, and other various relaxation techniques
• good sleep vs bad sleep and the effects on the teen brain
• student-led education video for  “Distracted Teen” for whole junior high school
• other topics that the school or community partner wants included such as Are video games addictive?

The junior high program builds on the foundation of the elementary NSTEP EAT WALK LIVE program.