Ninth-grade students from Shorecrest and Shorewood high schools recently completed an in-depth project in their fall semester Health for Life class, culminating in engaging and educational expos where they shared their work with peers, teachers, and the community. The project, designed to enhance students’ understanding of various health topics, encouraged research, creativity, and presentation skills, giving students the opportunity to dive deep into health-related issues that affect their lives and communities.

A Curriculum Rooted in Real-World Issues

“The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program developed this 10-lesson, experiential Public Health Advocacy Curriculum. The curriculum emphasizes the underlying social, economic, and political factors (i.e., upstream or root causes) that influence health and disease outcomes; recognizes how these factors affect populations differently; and stresses the importance of engaging in public health advocacy in one’s community.” (Public Health Advocacy Curricula)

Throughout the project, 9th graders explored topics ranging from mental health awareness and nutrition to substance abuse prevention and the importance of physical activity. With guidance from their health teachers, students researched their chosen subjects, created informative displays, and developed presentations to communicate their findings effectively.

A Showcase of Student Learning

The expos, held at each high school, provided a platform for students to present their work in a dynamic and engaging environment. Attendees, including fellow students and staff at Shorecrest, and family and community members at Shorewood, had the opportunity to walk through various exhibits, ask questions, and learn from the students’ insights. Many students incorporated visual aids, digital media, and hands-on activities to make their presentations more impactful.

Shorewood Health Teacher Andrew Ely, Shorecrest’s Cami Pratt, and school administrators praised the expos for not only showcasing the hard work of students but also fostering a greater awareness of health-related issues among the school community. “This project is a fantastic way for students to take ownership of their learning and educate others in the process,” said Pratt. “They develop research skills, presentation skills, and, most importantly, a deeper understanding of health topics that are relevant to their daily lives.”

Personal Stories and Powerful Messages

A Shorecrest 9th grader reflected on the importance of the topic they chose, sharing, “This project was extremely meaningful to me because it gave me a chance to research about something that I had to go through at a young age. I am a survivor of domestic violence. My mom always supported us while my dad was always starting arguments. As I got older I started noticing more side effects of what I went through. I also have many family members who went through this. I saw this as an opportunity to inform other guys and girls of this real and serious issue that has become normalized.  We need to stop the cycle of abuse and start a new cycle of healthy and safe relationships.”

Another freshman who participated in the project said, "I thought the Health Advocacy Project was a learning experience for me. I learned so much about current topics on vaping, disorders and mental illness.  Not many people are aware about these topics and it's important to let people know that these topics exist."

By integrating research, collaboration, and public speaking, the health project and expos provided ninth graders at Shorecrest and Shorewood with valuable skills that extend beyond the classroom. The success of this initiative reinforces the importance of hands-on, student-driven learning and aligns to with our mission:

Provide a collaborative learning community that engages all students in learning the academic and work-life skills needed to achieve their individual potential and become responsible global citizens.

Looking Ahead

Spring semester, the students are repeating the project, but the culminating project will be a book written to educate elementary-aged students about the topic they have chosen. The 9th graders in Health for Life at Shorecrest and Shorewood will ensure that their books meet at least one grade-level health standard for 3rd-5th grade, and when complete, they will read their books to elementary students.

Shorecrest’s Cami Pratt reflects, “My hope is for students to internalize the root causes and be part of the solution for themselves, their peers, the community and their future families.”