Serena Cruz, Adam DeGroot, Jackie Murphy, Tom Knapczyk, Clint Reames and Stacey Wernert

The team’s innovative teaching idea, “On Target with HR,” is focused on inspiring, motivating and teaching students at William B. Orenic Middle School the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Through the use of polar heart rate monitors in the physical education classroom, students will be able to see the effect exercise has on their body, in real time. At the beginning of each year, students involved in the program will be “fitness tested” to assess their current levels. Based on this information, students will be provided with a variety of choices and activities to help maintain or improve their current fitness level. In order to provide a sense of ownership for their individual goals, they will be required to reach a certain fitness zone using the heart rate monitors, while participating in each activity. Teachers will also have the ability to motivate students providing instant feedback to help guide them toward their goals. By using these monitors, teachers will promote a cross-curricular unit allowing students to graph data and draw conclusions about their individual participation in class. According to the team, this is a new concept physical educators are developing to provide a more hands-on and interactive approach for students.