Name of education programme
Choice Action

Originating organisation
Osteoporosis NZ Inc.

Contact
Osteoporosis New Zealand Inc
PO Box 688
Wellington
New Zealand

Description of the programme
Choice action was developed to complement the Health and Physical Education Curriculum in secondary schools. It is unique in that it provides for a collaborative approach from three separate disiplines, so that students get three complementary messages on bone health.

We have taken great care to develop a resource, which empowers young people to make good decisions based on their research into nutrition and physical education. Psychological factors are also highlighted - feeling good about yourself, peer group pressure, advertising etc. It was important to us to ensure the emphasis was on the 'here and now' (a fourteen year old is not motivated by what might happen in the distant future)- and osteoporosis isn't - so we don't really mention osteoporosis!

Is the programme still running?
Yes

Target audience
Girls aged 14-15
Boys aged 14-15

Has the programme been approved by your scientific advisory committee?
Yes

What worked well
Too early to tell, however, reaction to teachers resource has been excellent, with extra copies being requested from many secondary schools, some primary schools and also teacher training schools.

What didn't work well
Evaluation process has not started, material introduced to schools beginning of Term 1 2002, this term not yet complete.

Type of information and material available
Leaflets
Press releases
Illustrations/cartoons/graphs
Internet site (www.bones.org.nz)
Other: Video footage of Launch of Project available, Teachers resource

Are you willing to provide material and advice to other IOF members?
Yes

Languages in which the material is available
English

Budget
$NZ 51,000

Corporate sponsors
Yes

Other partners
Health and Technology Teachers Association of NZ
Physical Education Teachers Association of NZ
Unofficial support of Ministry of Education

Did the programme use celebrities, role models or mentors?
A celebrity was used at the Project launch, a well known New Zealand netball player who is also a teacher

Is the programme suitable for other countries?
Our programme incorporates many bicultural aspects (as required by the Ministry of Education) and will be of interest to other countries wishing to incorporate bi or multi cultural themes.

Page Top