Grand Challenges Influences
There are four definitive grand challenges that provide for a more enlightening educational experience, these four challenges include: unlocking the mysteries of the universe, understanding and sustaining a biodiverse planet, valuing world cultures, and understanding the American experience. All four of these grand challenges can be applied in a wide variety of ways, including in Physical Education and Health.
There are many mysteries within our universe, the natural world is full of wonder and inspiration. Physical Education and Health can help demystify some of these challenging questions and help provide for a long happy life. There is a wide range of rare complications that occur in the human body whether they are physical or mental anomalies; many of which can be alleviated with proper knowledge and application. If somebody was unable to eat animal products by necessity or choice, it makes it very difficult to obtain adequate amounts of protein containing essential amino acids, proper education in nutrition can educate individuals in how to supplement their diet appropriately in order to ensure proper body function.
Understanding and sustaining a biodiverse planet a very challenging topic that is becoming increasingly important. A planet that demonstrates biodiversity is a healthy planet, the entire purpose of health class is to explain how to promote a healthy person. Students learn healthy lifestyle choices that benefit health and longevity of themselves and the planet. If an individual learns to properly take care of themselves, they will inevitably learn to properly take care of their surroundings.
Valuing world cultures is critically important, especially in a society that reflects cultures from all over the world. There is so much that we learn from other cultures that can benefit our own culture, one of the best ways to celebrate culture is through dance. Dance is a common activity in physical education and it can be easily utilized to introduce and celebrate different cultures in the classroom.
Understanding the American experience is very important as it is an experience much different than what many individuals encounter. It is important for individuals to learn about cultures other than their own, regardless of where they reside. Students get to experience many different activities in physical education that have deep roots in America. Lacrosse for example has been played by Native Americans for countless years. Lacrosse is still widely celebrated today as it has been experienced by Americans for many generations.
