SPARK 25 Years of Success! Countering Childhood Obesity Since 1989

SPARK TM Years of 25 SUCCESS! Countering Childhood Obesity Since 1989 In June 1989, San Diego State University professors Drs. Jim Sallis and Thom McKenzie received an award from the National Institutes of Health to create, implement, and evaluate an elementary school physical education program that could maximize health and behavior related outcomes. From there, Project SPARK was born. SPARK through the Years June 1989 Sept 1993 Original research project funded by NIH Won Governor's Commendation Award from CA Governor Pete Wilson Mar 1995 Awarded "Exemplary Program" status by National Diffusion June 1994 Start of Network dissemination effort: Elementary PE Programs July 1996 Sept 1996 Cited as a Project M-SPAN (Middle School Physical Activity and Nutrition) funded by "school-based solution to our nation's health care crisis" in Surgeon General's report NIH Sept 2000 Launched Middle School Program Jan 2001 Launched After School Program Sept 2001 Launched Early Childhood Program Mar 2004 Elementary & Middle School PE programs earn highest ranking in a study of over 150 programs nationwide May 2005 Chosen as a "Selected School-Based Intervention" by the National Academy of Sciences Sept 2005 Launched High School Program Apr 2008 Jan 2008 Named by CDC as a national model for programs designed to increase PA and combat Launched Coordinated School Health Initiative childhood obesity Programs Feb 2013 Mar 2010 Launched digital Highlighted in the report "What Works for the programs, all tablet and smart-phone ready Prevention and Treatment of Obesity" July 2013 May 2013 Endorsed by USDA Cited by the Institute of Medicine as a proven solution for increasing the quantity and quality of physical education in school SNAP-Ed Tool Kit for the States as an evidence-based policy and environmental change intervention in school settings Sept 2013 Launched Classroom Activity & Recess Program May 2014 Received Community Leadership Award from President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition June 2014 SPARK CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF COUNTERING CHILDHOOD OBESITY! SPARK Today 10,000+ 1,000+ presentations in 24 countries workshops conducted 100,000+ teachers 1 million+ trained in SPARK students reached! instruction SPARK TM Celebrate with SPARK by standing up as an advocate for quality, evidence-based Physical Education in schools. Visit sparkpe.org to learn more!