Interactive Projects

Overview
In this activity, students will assess their knowledge of the role of physical activity in a healthful lifestyle by taking an interactive true-false quiz. The answer to each of the 11 questions in the quiz is accompanied by an explanation that explodes a myth about exercise and reinforces the importance of remaining physically active throughout life. Students complete the activity by spreading the word about physical activity by writing an original article based on facts gathered at the Web site.

Objectives

• To heighten awareness of the importance of physical activity as an aspect of total health by taking an on-line "IQ" test.
• To practice health literacy by helping to educate people in the community about the importance of physical activity.

Getting Started
Write the initials IQ on the chalkboard, and ask if students are familiar with this term. Elicit that IQ is a measure of intelligence generally determined through a specially constructed test. Explain that students will presently visit a Web site where they will encounter a different kind of IQ test--one that has nothing to do with intelligence. Have students log on to the site and read the introductory paragraph. Emphasize that after reading each question and clicking on either the True or False button, students are to read carefully the text provided as an explanation of the answer.

Classroom Follow-up
Invite students to do a follow-up survey of people with whom they shared their article to determine whether any of them made changes to their physical regimen based on the facts they learned. Set aside time to discuss with students the role of health education in changing attitudes and behaviors. At some future date, you may also wish to have students retake the on-line Physical Activity IQ test to determine whether they have internalized any of the recommendations provided at the site.