PRC Seminar with John Bartholomew

PRC Seminar: “Integrating Physical Activity into the Regular Classroom”

Dr. Bartholomew will explore how the school environment can be a powerful setting for increasing physical activity among children, particularly during times they are usually sedentary—such as in general education classrooms. Drawing on research in behavioral science and educational systems, the talk will focus on strategies that influence physical activity by targeting school leaders and teachers, rather than students directly.

The presentation will highlight how:

• classroom-based interventions may be more impactful than changes to PE or recess,
• a hierarchical model of behavior change positions educators as key agents in shaping student activity, and
• motivational strategies must address the unique challenge of engaging individuals (teachers, administrators) who don’t directly benefit from the behavior change.

There will also be opportunities to discuss future research directions at Penn State and explore potential for collaboration.

About the Speaker:

Rob Turrisi has been engaged in research on prevention science topics for more than 35 years. His initial work looked at methods for reducing drunk driving — a subject on which he is passionate and continues to engage both with graduate fellows and his research team. His research also includes externally funded studies on brief parent interventions, substance abuse prevention, and skin cancer prevention.