AnneMarie Gilbertson

Gilbertson’s innovative teaching idea, “Movement is Magic,” is focused on how moving helps the child’s brain develop. The brain's frontal lobe, which plays a role in cognitive control, keeps growing throughout the school years. Exercise spurs the brain to produce more of a protein called "brain-derived neurotrophic factor." This powerful protein encourages brain cells to grow, interconnect, and communicate in new ways. Exercise also plays a big part in the production of new brain cells, particularly in the dentate gyrus, a part of the brain heavily involved in learning and memory skills. Gilbertson hopes that with each student having their own pedals underneath their desk, it has the potential to improve their attention span, memory and learning, reduce stress and the effects of ADHD, and combat childhood obesity. She believes exercise may have more impact on children than any other age group, preparing the brain for a day of education.