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Program Descriptions

AIDS: ALLEVIATING FEARS – 60 Minutes

AIDS remains a deadly epidemic for men, women and children, particularly in communities of color. More than one-million Americans are infected, with one quarter of them unaware of their infection. We look at the relationship between good health practices and disease prevention and emphasize safe behaviors. We explore how HIV compromises the immune system and renders an individual susceptible to opportunistic diseases. We dispel myths and look at signs, symptoms, and treatment of HIV.

AIDS: Alleviating Fears meets the Illinois state mandate for HIV education.

Learning Goals:
Students will…

  1. Increase knowledge of the immune system and its response to pathogens such as the human immunodeficiency virus.  Students will learn methods of transmission, effects on the body, and current research regarding HIV and AIDS.
  2. Develop an understanding that people who are HIV positive do not spread the virus through casual contact, and therefore are not a danger to be around.
  3. Learn strategies to avoid HIV infection.

BODY CLUB – 60 Minutes

The Body Club is an active adventure for students who learn about the health balance triangle - sleep, nutrition, physical activity, and hygiene. An anatomy apron with stick on organs engages students in a trek around the body. A three-dimensional model for recommended food choices makes nutrition a hands on experience.

Students are invited to become a member of this exclusive club for second graders, the Body Club!

Program Goals:
Students will…

  1. Learn that the human body is made of organs that work together in systems, digestive, nervous, respiratory, and circulatory to get jobs done.
  2.  Develop awareness of the importance of taking care of the human body.
  3. Develop skills to take care of their body including oral care and personal hygiene, adequate sleep, exercise, and eating healthy foods.

EXPRESS YOURSELF – 85 Minutes

How Pretty? How Strong? Young people are bombarded from all sides with images telling them how they should look, feel, and behave. Research is now showing us how seriously our kids are harmed by these images and the multitude of ways that this damage plays out. Girls' body image is determined not only by their self-perceptions but also by the perceptions of others. Boys are starting to experience the same cultural pressures to look good, smell good, be athletic and strong. We help adolescents express themselves in ways that support them feeling good about who they are.

The program design targets 6th grade students, as a follow up to our very popular puberty education class, Michael and Linda and helps develop individual positive sense of self.

Program Goals:
Students will…

  1. Increase knowledge regarding the factors that influence self image and self esteem.
  2. Understand the factors that lead to bullying.
  3. Develop tools to cope with stressors which include peer pressure and media pressure.

FIT CAMPAIGN

Grades 1-2 (Three 60-minute sessions)
Grades 3-6 (Four 60-minute sessions)
Grades 7-8 (Three 60-minute sessions)

The FIT (Fighting Internal Temptation) Campaign is designed to increase elementary and middle school students’ awareness of obesity and its causes. Using age-appropriate vocabulary and teaching tools, Robert Crown educators help students make healthy decisions. Students meet Addy(short for adipose tissue), the FIT mascot who teaches healthy dietary choices and the importance of exercise and adequate amounts of sleep. FIT also discusses the correlation between obesity and Type II diabetes.

FIT features an original cartoon character image named, “Addy” (short for adipose tissue), representing a fat cell. Addy was created by David Bedney, M.D., a RCC health educator and physician, to illustrate the causes and consequences of obesity. This cartoon character is used in all program materials, explaining the function of fat cells in our body in an engaging way that is easily understood by young children. The Addy character is featured in the FIT dance which students learn and practice at each session.

Program Goals:
Students will…

  1. Increase awareness of obesity and its causes in their own neighborhood.
  2. Develop awareness of dietary habits which contribute to the increased risk of obesity.
  3. Learn practical suggestions for implementation of healthier food choices and physical activities into student’s daily lifestyles.
Learn skills to lead a healthy life and avoid long term illnesses like Type II Diabetes and other associated consequences of childhood obesity.

HEALTH ADVENTURE - 85 Minutes

This interactive program teaches the third grade student about health and the human body. Introduce your students to Oscar, the take-apart man and his friend, Valeda, the transparent talking woman. These two memorable figures give students a real lesson in human anatomy they will never forget! Health adventure stresses the dynamics of body systems and the different types of cells with an emphasis on the role of proper nutrition, exercise and rest.

Program Goals:
Students will…

  1. Learn the organization of the human body from cells to systems.
  2. Develop awareness of the importance of taking care of the human body.
  3. Develop skills to take care of their body including oral care and personal hygiene, adequate sleep, exercise, and eating healthy foods.

HEALTHLAND – 60 Minutes

This program is designed to encourage first graders to take care of their bodies by following basic health guidelines. Students learn about the body's organs and senses, and the basics of staying healthy. The new “My Plate” nutrition tool is used to teach about healthy meals.

Program Goals:
Students will…

  1. Learn that the human body contains organs that have special jobs including the brain, stomach, heart, and lungs.
  2. Develop awareness of the importance of taking care of his/her body.
  3. Develop hygiene skills such as regular bathing and hand washing.

INCREDIBLE MACHINE – 85 Minutes

Our body's organs and systems make up one incredible machine! Students will learn about all the moving parts including; the circulatory, nervous and respiratory systems. We teach students to keep their machines in tune with healthy heart care, good diet, exercise, and by not using drugs and tobacco.

Program Goals:
Students will:

  1. Learn the functions of different body systems including the nervous, skeletal, muscular, circulatory, respiratory, and digestive systems.
  2. Develop awareness of the importance of taking care of the human body.
  3. Develop skills to take care of the human body including hygiene, adequate nutrition, sleep, and exercise, and avoidance of poor habits including drug use.

LIFE BEGINS –85 Minutes

The miracle of life and the functions of the reproductive anatomy are important topics for pre-adolescents. As physical and developmental changes occur, they need to be equipped with the facts about their reproductive organs and the creation of human life. Students learn the anatomy and function of the male and female reproductive systems, including the menstrual cycle and nocturnal emissions.

Students also learn about fertilization, implantation, and embryology and follow the development of the fetus throughout pregnancy until birth. Labor and delivery are briefly discussed.

Program Goals:
Students will…

  1. Increase knowledge about human anatomy and the reproductive system, reproduction, pregnancy and birth
  2. Increase their comfort for discussing the topics of human development, pregnancy, and birth with trusted adults.
  3. Describe several questions that someone your age might ask their parent, grandparent or other trusted adults or older siblings.

RCC Life Begins is also offered at the Museum of Science & Industry.   Click here to learn more!

LINDA - PUBERTY EDUCATION FOR GIRLS – 85 Minutes

The Linda program is a unique opportunity for a pre-adolescent “girls only” education about puberty. We discuss the physical and emotional changes that occur during puberty and also compare the female and male reproductive anatomy.  Robert Crown educators address secondary physical changes such as breast development, increased production of sweat and oil, acne, increased percent body fat, and the growth of body hair, as well as the menstrual cycle.

Each participant takes home a comprehensive booklet as a resource. Booklets are available in English and Spanish.

Program Goals:
Students will…

  1. Increase knowledge about human anatomy, the changes which occur during puberty, and the reasons for these changes.
  2. Understand that the changes of puberty are a normal part of human development and will increase their comfort for discussing this topic with trusted adults.
  3. Learn skills to take care of their bodies as they experience the changes of puberty.

MICHAEL - PUBERTY EDUCATION FOR BOYS – 85 Minutes

The Michael Program allows pre-adolescent boys to learn about changes they will experience during puberty. The “boys-only” format encourages open discussion about questions that arise during the onset of puberty. We discuss the physical and emotional changes that occur during puberty and also compare the female and male reproductive anatomy.  Robert Crown educators address secondary physical changes such as voice change, increased production of sweat and oil, acne, and the growth of body hair, as well nocturnal emissions and spontaneous erections.

Each participant takes home a comprehensive booklet as a resource. Booklets are available in English and Spanish.

Program Goals:
Students will…

  1. Increase knowledge about human anatomy, the changes which occur during puberty, and the reasons for these changes.
  2. Understand that the changes of puberty are a normal part of human development and will increase their comfort for discussing this topic with trusted adults.
  3. Learn skills to take care of their bodies as they experience the changes of puberty.

SCIENCE BEHIND DRUGS AND PREVENTION – 85 Minutes

Grades 4-6
Grades 7-8

Kids face tough decisions, especially regarding the issue of drug use. The newly designed “Science Behind Drugs and Prevention” program helps kids make healthy choices and lead a drug-free life.  The program uses research-proven effective, interactive teaching methods. The neurological effects of drug addiction are demonstrated using the “Reward Pathway” display in the transparent brain model. Addiction is defined and the underlying neurological response to drugs that leads to addiction.

Program Goals:
Students will…

  1. Increase knowledge about drugs and their affects on total wellness (physical, mental social, emotional) with intense focus on neuroscience.
  2. Feel empowered to take personal responsibility for increasing their total wellness and increase disapproval of alcohol and other drug use
  3. Develop strategies/tools to make healthy decisions and explore alternatives to alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use/abuse.

NOTE: In response to the Chicago area heroin crisis, this class will include a component about heroin prevention. The Reed Hruby Prevention Program focused specifically on heroin will be available to the schools in the fall of 2013.

STEROID SECRETS

The pressure to succeed, be stronger, and stand out among peers sometimes drives student athletes to make regretful decisions such as the use of performance enhancing drugs. Steroids produce short-lived results with long-term consequences. Steroid Secrets examines the hazards, and healthy alternatives to using performance enhancing drugs and supplements. Studies have shown that attitudes toward potential anabolic steroid use changed when high school athletes were presented with alternatives such as strength training techniques and nutrition principles.

Program goals:
Students will…

  1. Learn the physical and psychological effects of anabolic steroid use and some of the dangers associated with use of a nutritional or steroidal supplement;
  2. Understand the risks of using performance enhancing substances such as anabolic steroids and other supplements.
  3. Gain tools such as proper nutrition and exercise as healthy alternatives to anabolic steroid and supplement use.

TEEN SEXUAL HEALTH – 85 Minutes

Students deserve to be prepared to make healthy choices regarding sexual activity This program develops students skills so that they make informed choices about their behavior, and feel confident and competent about acting on these choices.. Teen Sexual Health provides students with information about the risks of any type of sexual contact which include not only teen pregnancy but also sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s).  Students explore the psycho-social, economic, and academic outcomes of teen parenthood as well as the consequences of an STD.

Program Goals:
Students will…

  1. Increase their knowledge about human reproductive anatomy, and the impact of sexual activity on a teenager’s well-being (physically, mentally and socially)
  2. Feel empowered to take personal responsibility for increasing their total wellness (including sexual health) and to increase student disapproval of risky sexual activity.
  3. Develop strategies and tools to make healthy decisions and explore alternatives to sexual activity.

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