University’s Youth Development Center Hosts Media-smart Training In Great Falls, Aug. 22

2006-08-22 08:30:00

Best Western Heritage Inn in Great Falls

Contact: http://www.nichd.nih.gov/msy/

Montana State University’s 4-H Center for Youth Development will host a training for youth development professionals and educators in the use of the Media Smart Youth curriculum materials in Great Falls, Aug. 22.

"Eat, think and be active" are three key components of the interactive after-school education curriculum designed by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to help teach 11 to 13 year olds how the complex world of media can affect their health, nutrition and physical activity. The curriculum’s goals are to raise young people’s awareness about how media affects their choices, to build their decision-making skills and to encourage them to establish healthy habits that will last into adulthood.

The one-day training will focus on media analysis, media production, nutrition and physical activity. Through hands-on workshop activities, participants will learn how to implement and facilitate the program with young people in their community. The training also covers lesson structure, resources, teaching methods, strategies and tips. Snacks and action breaks throughout the day will model the use of such breaks in the curriculum.

Registration is free to a limited number of participants, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Youth development professionals, educators and community partners who would like to attend should contact Jill Martz, MSU Extension 4-H Curriculum and Outreach Specialist, at (406) 994-3099 or e-mail [email protected] before Aug. 10. The training will be at the Best Western Heritage Inn in Great Falls on Aug. 22 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Travel, lodging, breakfast and lunch expenses for registered participants are funded by a "Media Smart Youth – Eat Think, and Be Active" grant from The Department of Health and Human Services – National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the Academy for Educational Development.

Montana 4-H, the youth development program of MSU Extension, was the only 4-H program in the nation to receive this grant. To learn more about 4-H youth resources, visit the Montana 4-H Center for Youth Development via http://www.msuextension.org For additional information about the Media-Smart Youth curriculum, visit http://www.nichd.nih.gov/msy/

Jill Martz, Extension 4-H Curriculum and Outreach Specialist, (406) 994-3099, [email protected]