By

Linda Hill,   Madison Junior High School

Play:

Topics:

Access to Healthy Foods, Physical Activity Participation, Success with Funds,  Teamwork

Each Thursday during FLEX, students have the choice to come to the library to learn about healthy snacking and other health topics. Students know they will get to enjoy something tasty when they come. When I heard about a blender bike, I knew it would be a hit with our junior high students. I didn’t want to have to spend an arm and a leg to get one. So with the combined efforts of our robotic team, my husband and I, we found an economical way to do this. We bought the bike at a thrift store for $30. The blender for another $30. And the stand and other supplies for $50. It took a bit of work but everyone thinks riding this bike and creating a healthy smoothie is a lot of fun. THANKS Fuel Up to Play 60 for providing us the opportunity to teach healthy habits! PS. The Super Bowl was so EXCITING this year. I saw a FUEL Up to Play 60 Rep there.

How did students and adults work together as a team?

Our robotic team is led by a wonderful volunteer. Eric Borgholthaus is a recent mechanical engineer graduate who volunteers a couple of days a week to work with our students in STEM activities. When I showed him my interest in building a blender bike, he and his club members jumped in to help us. He found a design and assembled the bike. My husband, Val, also helped with building the platform for the blender.

How do you plan to make this Play last during the school year and beyond?

Students are excited to peddle knowing that their efforts will earn them a delicious and healthy snack. This week students will be peddling this bike to make a healthy Valentine smoothie with milk, frozen bananas and of course, chocolate. I think this will be used by students for years to come.