The Kansas Learning Center for Health received $17,465 in October from the McPherson County Community Foundation’s General Grant allocation, the Moundridge Community Foundation’s community fund and the David J. Nutt Fund to expand health education programming in McPherson County schools.
The funding supports the center’s “On the Road to a Healthier Lifestyle” program in the Lindsborg, McPherson and Moundridge school districts.
The Kansas Learning Center for Health, or KLCH, is a nonprofit health education museum in Halstead. It is the second-oldest health museum in the country and regularly hosts students and teachers for interactive lessons on body systems, nutrition and overall health. In addition to onsite programming, KLCH educators travel to schools across Kansas, allowing districts greater flexibility and reaching more students.
“This will be the first time that we’ve been able to offer this many programs to this many school districts in McPherson County,” said Vickie Donaldson, a KLCH educator. “We have worked with the Lindsborg school district before to provide many of our programs.”
Each district will receive tailored programming.
In Lindsborg, KLCH will provide programming for all students from prekindergarten through high school.
Moundridge students in kindergarten through fourth grade will receive five educational programs focused on early elementary health topics.
In McPherson, five programs will be offered across four elementary schools for students in kindergarten through fourth grade. An additional five programs focused on healthy habits, sexual health and puberty education will be available for fifth grade students and older.
KLCH offers a range of programs covering the human body, substance use prevention and age-appropriate sexual health education. Donaldson said the organization is uniquely equipped to address topics some may consider sensitive.
“We focus on age-appropriate education based in science,” Donaldson said. “Research shows that adolescents who learn more about the changes their bodies are experiencing can reduce future issues with depression and anxiety.”
Substance use education is also a key component. During presentations on smoking and vaping, educators use pig lungs to demonstrate how tobacco and e-cigarettes affect lung capacity. Donaldson said the vaping presentation is especially relevant in today’s schools.
“When I teach a group of kids, I can see some of the skepticism leave their faces as we explain the impact these drugs can have on their bodies,” Donaldson said.
For younger students, programs focus on how the body’s systems work and how healthy habits begin early. One of the most popular offerings, the “Farm to Family” program, explores how food is grown, highlights the work of farmers and encourages healthy eating habits.
KLCH plans to provide all programming to McPherson County schools during the current semester.
“We are supporting the good work teachers are already doing,” Donaldson said. “We want to empower students and their trusted adults and educators.”
More information about KLCH programs is available at learningcenter.org.
