Fit for Life Program receives grant from US Department of Education for New Technology
A major step towards improving physical fitness is measuring caloric intake and expenditure. Thanks to a three-year grant worth over $1.1 million from the US Department of Education, Sweetwater Union High School District students will be using Buggs to measure their calories- Body Buggs.
One of the major components of the Fit for Life project funded through the Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) will be the purchase and use of Body Buggs, a web-based armband device that tracks all calories being taken in and being used throughout the day. Students will have the opportunity to use the devices on themselves and help them understand, improve and maintain their own physical well-being.
In addition to the devices, the Fit for Life project will be working on aligning all 9th and 10th grade Physical Education classes to California State Standards as well as preparing students for the yearly physical fitness assessment known as the Fitnessgram. This assessment measures six areas including aerobic capacity, body composition, abdominal strength, trunk extensor strength, upper body strength and flexibility.
Finally, through this funding, Physical Education teachers will be provided with advanced curriculum training in state content standards. The training will focus on the actual implementation of standards and aligned curriculum in their respective classes.
"We are excited about being able to provide our students with this unique opportunity to understand and take control of their physical fitness," said Board President Jim Cartmill. "Physical Education is such an important part of all of our lives and we hope our students will embrace this new and exciting program."