School Healthy Route: Design and Measure

As part of an active-living campaign, groups design a walking route around the school grounds with exercise stops for the rest of the school to use at recess or in homeroom. They walk it, measure distance, steps and time, and test it with another group.

How to play

1. Each group of five gets a map of the grounds and draws a loop of about 800 m with three exercise stops (step, bench, wall) (5 min).
2. They brisk-walk the route, measuring steps and distance with a phone app and checking one section with a tape measure; at each exercise stop they try out their idea (for example, 10 step-ups or 10 incline push-ups on a bench) and record their pulse (10 min).
3. Swap: each group walks another group's route following only its written directions and cone markers (12 min).
4. Feedback: the testing group says whether the route is clear, safe and how hard it felt; the designers adjust their card (5 min).
5. Choose the two routes that will be signposted at school (3 min).

Rules

• The route may not go through parking lots, vehicle entrances or restricted areas.
• Walk briskly, do not run, stay together and no earbuds.
• Exercises must be doable in street clothes.
• Each group returns to the meeting point at the agreed time.

Variations

Adaptations

• Wheelchair user: the group ensures an accessible route and the student checks ramps and slopes.
• Visual impairment: walks the route with a guide, and the group checks that directions can be given as audio.
• Overweight or low fitness: chooses the lighter version of each exercise and sets their own walking pace.

Learning goals

• Design an accessible physical activity option for the school community.
• Quantify activity using steps, distance, time and heart rate.
• Use the school's surroundings safely for an active lifestyle.

Equipment for a class of 25

• tablets or phones: 6
• tape measure: 3
• cards: 12
• cones: 30

Teacher tip

Let the front office and school leadership know the route for the session. The chosen routes can be marked with stickers or signs in a second phase of the project.

More main activities for High School