Katalyst Pilot Study: Using Interactive Activities in Anatomy and Physiology to Teach Children the Scientific Foundation of Healthy Lifestyles

• Published in: Children (Basel) 2018-11, Vol.5 (12), p.162
• Main Authors: Hagedorn, Rebecca L, Baker, Kathryn, DeJarnett, Sara E, Hendricks, Tyler, McGowan, Melissa, Joseph, Lauren, Olfert, Melissa D
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: elementary; experiential learning; health education; lifestyles; students
• ISSN: 2227-9067; 2227-9067
• DOI: 10.3390/children5120162

This pilot study evaluated the impact of the Katalyst curriculum, a fifth-grade experiential learning program, on students' knowledge of a healthy lifestyle's impact on body functions. Katalyst's interactive curriculum spans two days and includes four, 60-min stations on body systems: cardiovascular/endocrine, gastrointestinal, neurological, and respiratory/musculoskeletal. Three schools were recruited, and two schools completed the intervention sessions. Prior to beginning the stations, fifth-grade students completed a 37-item questionnaire to assess knowledge and perceptions. Students completed the same survey at the end of the Katalyst intervention. Teachers at the school also completed a survey post intervention to provide feedback on the program. Frequency and paired analyses were conducted on student responses and summative content analysis on teacher and volunteer feedback. The School 1 completer ( = 63) baseline mean knowledge score was 66.2%. The School 2 completer ( = 47) baseline mean knowledge score was 67.3%. Following the Katalyst intervention, both schools showed a statistically significant increase in the mean post score to 70.3% ( = 0.0017) and 78.4%( < 0.0001) at School 1 ( = 63) and School 2 ( = 47), respectively. Teacher feedback ( = 7) revealed that Katalyst was effective in meeting state educational health standards and teachers perceived that the students benefitted from the program more than "reading about the body systems in a textbook or health magazine". The Katalyst pilot study appeared to improve fifth-grade students' knowledge of body systems and health. Katalyst aligned with state educational standards and is supported by teachers for an experiential learning opportunity. The Katalyst curriculum could be a potential avenue for health educators in Appalachia.