My Healthy IDEAS Challenge

Meets all 8 US Health Education Standards

Standards aligned to the National Health Education Standards: Model Guidance for Curriculum and Instruction, 3rd Edition © 2024 SHAPE America – Society of Health and Physical Educators. Published by Human Kinetics. Learn more at shapeamerica.org

📚 Standards Alignment

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ISTE Standards for Students

1.1 Empowered Learner 1.3 Knowledge Constructor 1.4 Innovative Designer 1.6 Creative Communicator 1.7 Global Collaborator

SHAPE America

Standard 1: Motor Skills & Movement Standard 4: Responsible Behavior Standard 5: Health & Wellness

NHES — National Health Education Standards

NHES 1: Core Concepts NHES 2: Analyze Influences NHES 3: Access Information NHES 4: Interpersonal Communication NHES 5: Decision Making NHES 6: Goal Setting NHES 7: Self-Management NHES 8: Advocacy

ASCD Whole Child

Healthy Safe Engaged Supported Challenged

NGSS — Next Generation Science Standards

LS1.A: Structure and Function LS1.B: Growth and Development LS1.C: Organization for Matter & Energy LS1.D: Information Processing

HETE — Health Education Teacher Education Standards

Standard 1: Content Knowledge Standard 2: Planning Standard 3: Implementation Standard 4: Assessment Standard 5: Professionalism

PETE — Physical Education Teacher Education Standards

Standard 1: Content & Foundational Knowledge Standard 2: Planning Standard 3: Instructional Delivery Standard 4: Assessment Standard 5: Management & Motivation Standard 6: Professionalism

Health education standards referenced from the National Health Education Standards: Model Guidance for Curriculum and Instruction, 3rd Edition © 2024 SHAPE America. HETE standards from the National Standards for Initial Health Education Teacher Education © 2018 SHAPE America. PETE standards from the National Standards for Physical Education Teacher Education © 2017 SHAPE America. All standards citations used for educational alignment purposes.

IDEAS Projects in Action

Discover what the IDEAS Challenge is all about and see real student projects.

💡 What’s an IDEAS Project?

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The Healthy People Affinity Community (HPAC)

The Force for Health® Network partners with the Citizenship Health Institute to host HPAC — a healthy teen empowerment program where students form STEAM TEAMS and produce IDEAS Projects through the Reality Health Games. HPAC activates communities across the country, turning students into health advocates who tackle real health disparities where they live.

💡 What is an IDEAS Project?

An IDEAS Project is a structured, community-focused health initiative where student teams work through five phases to identify and address Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) in their own communities. The acronym stands for:

Identify an Issue — Research your community’s health needs, analyze SDOH data, and select a focus area that matters to your team and neighborhood.

Design a Solution — Develop your approach using the resources, partnerships, and creativity your team brings together. Build a project plan with timelines and deliverables.

Engage Partners — Activate your Board of Advisors, recruit community partners, and build a coalition of support. Create omni-media content to amplify your message.

Assess the Impact — Measure both tangible metrics (people reached, events held) and intangible outcomes (awareness, behavior change). Document your journey.

Share Results — Present your findings through poster presentations, oral presentations, digital media, and community showcases. Inspire others to continue the work.

🎯 What You’ll Gain

🤝Real-World Partnerships
Build a Board of Advisors with hospital leaders, health departments, and community organizations.

🎬Omni-Media Portfolio
Create videos, social media campaigns, infographics, and presentations for your professional portfolio.

❤️Community Impact
Address health disparities head-on and make a measurable difference in your neighborhood.

HPAC & Healthy IDEAS Program Overview

3:00 • Citizenship Health Institute

What is an IDEAS Project?

1:59 • Overview

By the Numbers

40+Hours of curriculum

12Core modules

5IDEAS phases

8Health education standards

3Tier levels

🎬 Student Examples

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See what real STEAM TEAMS have accomplished — from university hospital presentations to graduation keynotes.

Autumn Anderson — Franklin College

Final IDEAS Project

Olivia Bent — Final IDEAS Project

Community health impact

Kalyana — Final IDEAS Project

SDOH community intervention

C3 STEAM TEAM

“I am a Force for Health”

Ikenna Okoro — Graduation Keynote

Credits HPAC for changing his life

2018 Scholar’s Day

University Hospital celebration

Teacher’s Guide Group Leader+

The My Healthy IDEAS Challenge is a 40+ hour, 12-module project-based learning experience aligned with national health education standards. Use this guide to facilitate the IDEAS framework with your students or STEAM TEAM.

▶ Group Leader Video Resources

▶ Lesson Plan

Grades 5-12 40+ Hours (12 Modules) Health / Science / STEAM Project-Based Learning

Learning Objectives

Identify Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) impacting local communities

Design evidence-based solutions using the IDEAS framework methodology

Engage community partners and build a Board of Advisors (up to 10 members)

Assess project impact using tangible and intangible metrics

Share results through presentations, media, and community showcases

🎣 Hook — What’s a Force for Health? Module 1

Open with the “What is an IDEAS Project?” video. Ask: “What health issue matters most in YOUR community? What if your team could actually fix it?” Introduce the Reality Health Games ecosystem.

📖 Identify Phase Modules 2-3

Students research SDOH, survey community members, interview local health experts, and vote on a focus topic. Each team member identifies 1-2 health issues. Teams select their final project focus through collaborative discussion.

⚙️ Design Phase Modules 4-5

Teams assess member strengths, assign roles, name their STEAM TEAM, and define 4 key objectives with measurable outcomes. Build a Board of Advisors, choose social media platforms, and create a task timeline with deadlines.

🤝 Engage Phase Modules 6-8

Execute the project plan through omni-media content creation. Coordinate community events, social media campaigns, and partner activations. Document progress with photos, videos, and data collection. This is the longest phase — the “doing” part.

📊 Assess Phase Modules 9-10

Measure both tangible metrics (people reached, events held, materials distributed) and intangible outcomes (awareness change, behavior shifts, community sentiment). Interview Board of Advisors for feedback. Compile data for final presentation.

🌟 Share Phase Modules 11-12

Prepare and deliver poster and oral presentations. Create a final showcase video. Present to community partners, school administrators, and at Scholar’s Day events. Celebrate achievements and discuss sustainability of project impact.

Standards Alignment:
ISTE 1.1 ISTE 1.3 ISTE 1.4 ISTE 1.6 ISTE 1.7 SHAPE 1 SHAPE 4 SHAPE 5 NHES 1-8 (All Standards) ASCD: Healthy, Engaged, Challenged NGSS LS1.A-D