SHAPE Program
(Science, Health,
And Physical Education)
Purpose Statement: Health Services occupy a large segment of the job market and require knowledge of the sciences as well as skills in business and leadership. Philosopher Joseph Schwartz said, "By finding out about our Science we find out about ourselves." Exploring the different areas of Health Science and its applications in life will provide the students with knowledge and skill that will benefit them in whatever occupational field they choose.
Philosophical Position: We believe that Science and Health education are basic to a person's orientation for leading a healthy, active life. We believe that students need active involvement in health education to understand and appreciate the complicated and delicate systems that operate within themselves and in the world around them.
Supporting Documentation: AIDS, SARS, Herpes, STDs, Cancer, Heart Disease, Teen Pregnancies, Drugs and Obesity are all realities in life today and affect everyone in some way. In these areas, ignorance is not bliss and can lead to tragic results. Young people need to know about these dangers and how to prevent the occurrence in their lives. The following statistics are all too clear:
In the United States: According
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are between
800,000 and 900,000 people living with HIV. Worldwide: UNAIDS
estimates that as of December 2000, there were an estimated 36.1 million people
living with HIV/AIDS (34.7 million adults and 1.4 million children under 15). (Source:
Centers for Disease Control Ð CDC)
About 15.5 percent of
adolescents (ages 12 to 19) and 15.3 percent of children (ages 6 to 11) are
obese. The increase in obesity among American youth over the past two decades
is dramatic. (American Obesity Association)
Heart Disease accounted for
29% of the total deaths in the United States and cancer for 22.9% in the year
2000. (American Cancer Society)
About 900,000 pregnancies
occur each year among American teenagers aged 15-19. Most of these pregnancies
are unintended. Almost 190,000 teens aged 17 and younger have children. Their
babies are often of low birth weight and have disproportionately high infant
mortality rates. (U.S. Department
of Health)
Teaching children about the health realities of the world will provide them with a solid foundation to make informed choices affecting their health and welfare.
Critical Elements: This program will focus on three main areas, Science, Health and Physical Education. These topics will emphasize four objectives:
Program Objectives: The program objective in Health
will be to inform students of the various health issues that can affect their
lives. All students will
participate in individual and group projects that stress the importance of
responsible choices for healthy and safe living, and present these projects to
the public. Students will add to
their understanding of the care and maintenance of their physical body and
learn the relevance of diet, nutrition and exercise to good health. Health careers will be examined and
opportunities for service in different health related areas will be
offered. Commercial and
non-commercial projects will be promoted and supported that are both Health and
Science related.
Objectives in Science will be health oriented. Areas of study will include Anatomy, Genetics, Microbiology and Chemistry. The focus will be the function of Science in project development. A food service project is planned, which will have both internal and commercial application, providing lunches for students and staff as well as a restaurant or catering service. Diet, nutrition, food chemistry, hygiene, food preparation, sanitation and food choices will all integrate Science into our favorite pastime - eating.
Physical Education will focus on exercise and coordination that integrate mind, body and spirit. (Yoga, Karate, dance, etc.) Certifications will also be given for extracurricular physical activities, which do not fall within the program parameters, such as sports, swimming, bicycling etc. Students will develop a "health plan", which will incorporate nutrition and exercise.
Observable Standards: The SHAPE curriculum will allow students to explore various avenues of Health education and application. Students finishing this program will be able to demonstrate the following:
Discuss knowledgeably about current health topics
Explain the process of bacterial and viral infection
Give examples of current diseases and their prevention
Read and summarize newspaper and magazine articles about current health issues
Suggest ways of maintaining health
Provide evidence of personal health management
Prepare flow diagrams to illustrate areas that influence personal choices
Discuss health topics and factors that contribute to poor health conditions
Use the Internet to research relevant health topics
Work cooperatively in groups to examine alternative choices and rationales
Acquisition of Science and knowledge skills:
Identify the basic components human anatomy
Describe the integration of anatomical systems
Recognize the importance of proper nutrition and exercise to good health
List the factors that contribute to the prevention of disease
Give examples of ways to reduce risks related to health problems of adolescents
Know how life-style, genetics and other factors can increase health risks
Create and present a personal "health plan"
Participate in a community health awareness project
Discuss the benefits of hygiene and exercise with peers and family
Design a nutritional chart
Compare and contrast different health oriented agencies and their effectiveness
Construct and evaluate surveys focusing on teen awareness of health issues
Facility Needs: The facility should accommodate students and teachers as well as provide space for a commercial restaurant outlet. The leasing of an existing restaurant facility with adjoining rooms would be the best option.
Equipment/Communication needs: A complete commercial kitchen with appropriate restaurant equipment will be needed to develop that project area. Additional equipment will include computers with Internet access, printers, fax, telephones, copy machine, and office supplies.
Material/Transportation needs: The county school busing system or alternative carrier will provide transportation for students to and from the POD site. A vehicle or delivery service will be necessary for the dissemination of school lunches to other POD areas.
Area of needs to be assessed during design: The primary areas of need initially will be appropriate facility and equipment needs. A partnered business will help supply expertise and support personnel. Certified and experienced personnel will operate the business end. Students will collaborate with other PODs for marketing, printed material, themes, etc, which means that they also need to be operable and functional. Teachers will need to be knowledgeable in areas of food preparation and business, as well as Science, Health and Technology.
Time-Line for implementation: This program will begin with the others in the 2006/2007 school year. The food service area may not be immediately operational, due to necessary preparations, so a lunch program may need to be initially contracted out. Developmental steps will be initiated upon the acceptance of the charter proposal by the School Board and will proceed to secure a partnered business, grant and sponsor funding, a certified teaching staff, an appropriate facility and other necessary steps.
Budget: Besides the usual budget that is necessary to provide space and equipment for learning, additional funding may be needed for the commercial space and the required supplementary equipment. All PODs will be funded with business "seed" money every year to develop and maintain business ventures. Commercial space will undoubtedly be more expensive, but the business income should offset most additional costs.
Evaluation/Validation checkpoints: The students will be evaluated and monitored on a continual basis throughout the program. Progress will be assessed in the areas of Health Science, Physical and Health Education through the following criteria:
Knowledge: Prior knowledge in the areas of Health and Health Science will be determined based on tests and surveys. An exit exam will be used to determine knowledge gained. Physical and health conditions will be assessed before and after the program and compared with the student's developed "health plan". Knowledge in all areas of food service will be tested through oral exam, presentations and written short answer questions.
Skills: Competency in skill areas will be demonstrated by the achievement of certifications. Individual and group projects will be assessed, as well as involvement in community projects. Students will exhibit mastery in appropriate technology and in planning and organizational skills. Coordination, movement and physical involvement will also be evaluated on an ongoing basis.
Attitudes: Students will complete a survey geared to determine the perceived effectiveness of the program. Students will publish and display their work to the general public. Parents will also be asked to evaluate the program by completing a survey to assess the motivation and enthusiasm of their children for the program.
Task / Responsibility chart: The following people are necessary to develop, maintain, and operate this program:
Program Director and Coordinator - This person will be responsible for the support of the program and help provide the needed coordination with the district administration, the associated business sponsor and the parents of the students involved. Initially, this person should be a coordinator/teacher, but upon initiation of the program the participating teachers can assume these responsibilities.
Staff - The staff will be deeply involved in the planning of the program as well as the selection of the curriculum. They will need to be trained in all areas of the program, including business, technology, Health and Science. The staff will run the program, supervise the students, assess student performance and report to the school-based Board of Directors on a quarterly basis.
Dissemination Plan: The program will begin at the start of the 2006 school year. The participating students will receive their schedules and proceed to their first day of the program. After initial instruction, they will continue with their instructors into the POD to begin their lessons. Instruction will end at the regular end of the school day and students will return home as all other students. The program instructional staff will perform according to a prearranged and approved curriculum and provide a safe, educational and enjoyable experience for the students.