Bodywalk visits WES
by Terry Schmitz
February 27, 2007
Westmoreland Elementary Students Participated in Body Walk
Learning healthy lifestyles. That’s the primary focus of Body Walk, a traveling exhibit that visits elementary schools throughout Kansas. On December 12 more than 160 students from Westmoreland Elementary School had a first hand look at how to make healthy choices and remain healthy throughout their lives.
Students toured the human body with Power Panther graphics as a guide. Power Panther is the USDA Food and Nutrition Service mascot. Throughout the exhibit, they learned how to apply Power Panther’s slogan, EAT SMART. PLAY HARD.
The tour began when students, in groups of 8 to 10, walked through a giant ear into the brain. Inside the huge brain dome, students experienced “brain waves” and learn about brain function. After they left the brain, they received a food tag designating them as different food items like a carrot, hamburger or piece of cheese. They entered the larger-than-life mouth, then proceed through the esophagus tunnel to the stomach dome, and were “absorbed” in the small intestine tunnel and followed the path of nutrients through the blood vessel tunnel to the heart, lungs, bones, muscles and skin stations. At each of the eleven Body Walk stations, a volunteer presenter engaged the students in a five-minute activity. “What’s great is that the kids are actively involved in learning about good nutrition and making healthful lifestyle choices,” said Terry Schmitz. “We appreciate the support of our school volunteers who assisted with the exhibit and made Body Walk possible,” he continued.
