ERIC Number: EJ1081120
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015
Pages: 6
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1932-5037
EISSN: N/A
"Active Science": Integrating Physical Activity and Science Learning into the Afterschool Environment
Finn, Kevin E.; Yan, Zi; McInnis, Kyle J.
American Journal of Health Education, v46 n6 p323-328 2015
Background: Afterschool programs offer significant opportunities to increase physical activity levels and improve academic performance of children. Purpose: This study assessed an innovative approach to embed physical activity into science lessons in an afterschool community setting. Methods: Participants were 47 boys and girls (age = 10.8 ± 0.7 years) enrolled in an afterschool program offered at a YMCA located in an economically disadvantaged urban community. The 6-week curriculum included a 30-minute, twice-a-week physical activity intervention. The "Active Science" (n = 16) group participated in a series of age/grade appropriate science lessons that involved using their activity data (i.e., steps, distance, and calories) to explore and reinforce important science concepts. The control group (n = 31) participated in the physical activity component only. Results: A 2(time) × 2(group) repeated multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) test showed that the group was not significant, F (24, 1) = 0.51, P > 0.05. The time effects were significant on steps/hour, F (24,1) = 43.07, distance/hour, F (24,1) = 26.31; calories/hour, F (24,1) = 23.50; and science scores, F (24, 1) = 39.00, all Ps < 0.001. Discussion: The results of this study suggest an active education intervention showed promising effects on promoting physical activity and science learning. Translation to Health Education Practice: Afterschool programs should endorse innovative strategies to incorporate movement and activity into their curricula.
Descriptors: After School Programs, Science Instruction, Physical Activities, Science Achievement, Economically Disadvantaged, Urban Areas, Scientific Concepts, Experimental Groups, Control Groups, Multivariate Analysis, Scores, Statistical Significance, Educational Innovation, Movement Education
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Massachusetts
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A