After discussing community health issues in health class, fourth and fifth graders decided to do a service-learning project to raise awareness about healthy lifestyles. The students brainstormed what topics to address and how they might educate others. Ultimately, they decided to plan a Community Health Fair with various informational booths. During their project, the students worked with various health and safety experts in their community including social workers, fire fighters and health-care professionals.
Students broke into small groups (each focused on the health topic that most interested them), and did extensive research. They interviewed local health and safety experts (including social workers, firefighters and health care professionals). Using their findings, the small groups prepared displays and presentations for the Fair. Students publicized the upcoming fair by sending invitations home with fellow students, placing an invitation in the local newspaper, and running a public service announcement on the local public access television station.
The Fair was a great success! In addition to the student displays and presentations, many of the community partners provided various health and safety exhibits. After the Fair, the students surveyed younger students in the school to make sure that they had learned valuable information about being healthy. The entire school later recognized the students for their hard work on the Community Health Fair at an end-of-year assembly.