Body Venture exhibit promotes healthy lifestyle for kids

The gym at Linn Elementary School was full of excitement Thursday as students traveled through a Body Venture exhibit for their physical education class. 
    The kids learned about a healthy lifestyle by being transformed into food and going to different parts of the human body.
    "It's about learning good nutrition and physical activity," said Judi Salyer, a Body Venture manager.
    The children started their adventure in the lunchroom, where they each played the role of a different food. Next, they entered the brain to learn about its functions and the important role it plays in digestion.
    After learning that the brain is the boss of their whole body, the kids went inside the mouth, where they sat on teeth and a tongue while learning about taste buds and the importance of brushing and flossing.
    The kids were also shown how much sugar was in one can of soda and a serving of candy, and many were surprised to see how much sugar they ate.
    After walking through the esophagus, the kids entered the stomach, where the digestion process continued. Here, they were able to hear the sounds a stomach makes while digesting food. They also made sandwiches in an effort to learn how to eat a balanced meal with all five food groups.
    Children laughed and giggled as they squeezed through the small intestine and squirmed through villi on the walls. They saw how long their intestines are and learned how much water their body needs every day to work properly.
    The children were then absorbed into the bloodstream and sent to different areas of the body such as the heart, lungs, muscles, bones and skin.
    Colorful displays and life-like exhibits helped them gain understanding about each of these body parts. They learned how to take their pulse and stretch their muscles before and after exercising.
    At the lung station, kids were taught to avoid smoking to keep their lungs healthy. They were also shown a healthy lung and a lung that had turned black from smoking.
    "I liked seeing the lungs and learning not to smoke," said third-grader Jose Aldabe. "That was my favorite part."
    Third-graders Jennell Coria and Dulce Herrera said they especially liked the brain.
    "I liked everything because it was really cool," Coria said. "I liked the brain because it had a lot of flashing lights."
    Herrera said being inside the brain was her favorite part of the journey through the body.
    "The brain was soft and squishy," she said.
    At each station, the theme "Eat Smart, Play Hard," was reinforced by teaching the children how to take care of their bodies through eating right and exercising. They also learned to wear helmets while riding their bikes, apply sunscreen and wash their hands to get rid of germs.
    During the hour-long tour of the body, the kids stayed attentive at all 11 stations because they were constantly moving, learning and interacting. 
    The Body Venture travels throughout the state, visiting approximately three schools a week to educate children in a fun way while promoting a healthy lifestyle.    
    The next stop in Dodge City will be on Tuesday at Wilroads Gardens Elementary School.

Reach Cherise Forno at (620) 408-9931 or e-mail her at cherise.forno@dodgeglobe.com.