Fitness Institute of Texas Opens Doors to Math & Science Teachers - July 16, 2007

The Fitness Institute of Texas (FIT), a state-of-the-art fitness assessment center at The University of Texas at Austin, recently welcomed junior high and high school science and math teachers to tour the facilities. The teachers are participants in Skillpoint Alliance’s 3-day Summer Education Institute, and they will incorporate information gained from the tour into lesson plans that can be used in class.

“Each summer we offer around eight institutes,” said Katie Kizziar, director of Skillpoint’s Technology and Executive Council, “ with about 20-25 teachers in each institute. Science and math teachers in the Austin area can attend these institutes, and each participant is given a stipend for a lesson plan that they must create as part of the institute. They also receive continuing education credits.

“The teachers who visited the Fitness Institute can use body composition assessment in math class, for example, to set up a math problem that will teach students about ratios or percentages. They also can talk to students about ways to use math and science skills in interesting jobs like that of a trainer or kinesiologist. For example, places like Nike and Gatorade have fitness labs. One of the aims of these Skillpoint education institutes is to have teachers share with their students how classroom learning translates into a wide variety of real careers.”

Skillpoint’s larger goal is to build partnerships between industry, education and the Central Texas community, with a goal of helping create a highly qualified future workforce.

The Fitness Institute is part of the College of Education’s Department of Kinesiology and Health Education and is open and available to members of The University of Texas at Austin community as well as the general public.

FIT offers four different fitness assessment packages, including aerobic, muscle, body composition and calorie. It also features a cutting-edge DEXA (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry) machine, which is considered superior, by most professionals, for the accurate measurement of total body fat, fat mass, bone mass and lean mass. For a fee, individuals can get a fitness evaluation, a consultation immediately following the evaluation and receive a detailed printout showing assessment results.

FIT also offers educational programs that address nutrition, physical fitness and social and psychological issues, and provides fitness evaluations to players in most UT sports teams. Researchers across campus have used FIT’s technology and expertise to conduct advanced studies for publication. In addition, serious athletes access the facilities located in the stadium to obtain an accurate benchmark of their progress.

“FIT is a resource for the community,” says Phil Stanforth, FIT director, “and we were thrilled to introduce teachers to facts and data that will encourage students to get excited about math and science. Fitness is fun, and I think it’s a great tool to use in teaching students other subjects. They can learn about math while also gaining information on living healthy and the importance of exercise.”

For more information on FIT, please visit the FIT Website.

—Kay Randall, University Communications, 512-232-3910

Related Links:

• FIT Website
• Skillpoint Alliance Website