My Program

A Healthy Beginning:

The original SPARK Physical Education (PE) study was supported by the Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health. A team of internationally known researchers and educators were funded to create, implement, and evaluate new and innovative approaches to physical education content and instruction, then test them in “real world” settings.

SPARK PE was designed to be more inclusive, active, and fun than traditional PE classes, and SPARK was proven to work with both physical education specialists and classroom teachers. Today, after lessons learned from more than 20 years of ongoing research and field testing nationwide, SPARK PE is one of the best physical education programs in the world – a true solution to our growing problem of overweight and obese children.

SPARK's Positive Effects: Tested and Proven

Today, over 45 publications have documented the positive effects of SPARK PE -- such as:

• Academic Achievement
• Increased moderate to vigorous physical activity in students (to over 50% of class time)
• Fitness achievement (as measured by the Fitnessgram test)
• Sport skills development (throw, catch, kick)
• Enjoyment of PE
• Improved teacher instruction (quantity and quality)
• SPARK effects are lasting (sustainability)

PHYSICAL EDUCATION DOMAINS

1. Motor Skills - Demonstrates competency in a variety of motor skills and movement patterns.
2. Performance Application - Applies knowledge of concepts, principles, strategies and tactics related to movement and performance.
3. Physical Fitness - Demonstrates the knowledge and skills needed to achieve a health-enhancing level of physical activity and fitness.
4. Responsible Behavior - Exhibits responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others as children of God.
5. Values Health - Recognizes the value of physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, and/or social interaction.