The activities and curriculum in this program, both the print materials and the website, align with National Health Education Standards and National Science Education Standards. The relevant content standards are listed below.
National Health Education Standards / Grades 6 - 8
HEALTH EDUCATION STANDARD 1
Students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention to enhance health.
1.8.1. Analyze the relationship between healthy behaviors and personal health.
1.8.3. Analyze how the environment affects personal health.
1.12.4. Analyze how genetics and family history can impact personal health.
1.8.5. Describe ways to reduce or prevent injuries and other adolescent health problems.
1.8.6. Explain how appropriate health care can promote personal health.
1.12.8. Analyze personal susceptibility to injury, illness or death if engaging in unhealthy behaviors.
1.12.9. Analyze the potential severity of injury or illness if engaging in unhealthy behaviors.
HEALTH EDUCATION STANDARD 2
Students will Analyze the influence of family, peers, culture, media, technology and other factors on health behaviors.
2.8.2. Describe the influence of culture on health beliefs, practices and behaviors.
2.8.3. Describe how peers influence healthy and unhealthy behaviors.
2.8.5. Analyze how messages from media influence health behaviors.
2.8.7. Explain how the perceptions of norms influence healthy and unhealthy behaviors.
2.8.9. Describe how some health risk behaviors can influence the likelihood of engaging in unhealthy behaviors.
HEALTH EDUCATION STANDARD 3
Students will Demonstrate the ability to access valid information and products and services to enhance health.
3.8.1. Analyze the validity of health information, products and services.
3.8.2. Access valid health information from home, school, and community.
3.12.3. Determine the accessibility of products and services that enhance health.
3.12.4. Determine when professional health services may be required.
3.12.5. Access valid and reliable health products and services.
HEALTH EDUCATION STANDARD 4
Students will Demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health and avoid or reduce health risks.
4.8.1. Apply effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills to enhance health.
HEALTH EDUCATION STANDARD 5
Students will Demonstrate the ability to use decision-making skills to enhance health.
5.8.4. Distinguish between healthy and unhealthy alternatives to health-related issues or problems.
5.8.5. Predict the potential short-term impact of each alternative on self and others.
5.8.6. Choose healthy alternatives over unhealthy alternatives when making a decision.
5.8.7. Analyze the outcomes of a health related decision.
HEALTH EDUCATION STANDARD 6
Students will Demonstrate the ability to use goal-setting skills to enhance health.
6.12.1. Assess personal health practices and overall health status.
6.8.2. Develop a goal to adopt, maintain, or improve a personal health practice.
6.8.3. Apply strategies and skills needed to attain a personal health goal.
6.12.4. Formulate an effective long-term personal health plan.
HEALTH EDUCATION STANDARD 7
Students will Demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors and avoid or reduce health risks.
7.8.1. Explain the importance of assuming responsibility for personal health behaviors.
7.8.2. Demonstrate healthy practices and behaviors that will maintain or improve the health of self and others.
7.8.3. Demonstrate behaviors that avoid or reduce health risks to self and others.
HEALTH EDUCATION STANDARD 8
Students will Demonstrate the ability to advocate for personal, family and community health.
8.8.1. State a health enhancing position on a topic and support it with accurate information.
8.12.3. Work cooperatively as an advocate for improving personal, family and community health.
8.12.4. Adapt health messages and communication techniques to a specific target audience.
National Science Education Standards / Grades 6 - 8
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Properties and changes of properties in matter
Transfer of energy (light/matter interactions)
Chemical reactions
Sun energy
LIFE SCIENCE
Structure and function in living systems
Cells
Systems and interactions
Diseases
Heredity
EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE
Structure of the earth system
SCIENCE IN PERSONAL AND SOCIAL PERSPECTIVES
Personal health
Natural hazards
Risks and benefits
Science and technology in society