Schools play a critical role in supporting children and adolescents in eating healthy and getting regular physical activity. Schools can provide learning opportunities to reinforce these healthy behaviors by implementing wellness policies and practices and using an effective health education curriculum. 

Through a collaboration between the Owsley County School System and the Owsley County Extension Service a healthy curriculum is presented to kindergarten through 2^nd grade students.  Professor Popcorn is taught in classroom settings as well as in the gymnasium during recess time.

During the 6 lessons presented to the students, a variety of food safety, nutrition and physical activities were taught.  Students were able to try new and healthy foods and also fun ideas for physical activities.

Students showed and overall improvement of 77 percent in physical activity knowledge, 78 percent in diet quality and a 94 percent improvement in food safety practices.  Teaching children these small changes can lead to a longer, healthier life will have a long lasting effect on the future of our kids.