GARDEN CITY -- An innovative new way to learn the importance of good nutrition and physical fitness recently visited students at St. Dominic and St. Mary Catholic schools in Garden City. On Sept. 21, students from both Catholic schools had the opportunity to explore the human body through the traveling "Body Walk" exhibit, with Power Panther, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service mascot as their guide.

The tour began when students walked through a giant ear into the brain. Inside the huge brain dome, students experienced "brain waves" and learned about brain function. After they left the brain, the students each were given a tag designating them as a food, such as a carrot, hamburger or piece of cheese. The "foods" stepped into the exhibit’s larger than life mouth, were "swallowed" through the esophagus tunnel, and moved into the stomach dome. From the stomach, the students travelled through the small intestine where they were "absorbed" into the blood. Then they followed the path of the nutrients to the heart, lung, bone, muscle and skin stations.

Throughout the exhibit, students learned how to eat smart, and play hard. At each of Body Walk’s 11 stations, a volunteer presenter engaged the students in a five-minute activity focused on healthy choices.

The traveling Body Walk exhibit was developed and is operated by Child Nutrition & Wellness, Kansas State Department of Education. Jody Mackey, team Leader for Child Nutrition and Wellness said, "Body Walk provides a unique and exciting opportunity for Kansas elementary students to learn about their bodies and the importance of making healthy choices." The exhibit was developed to address increasing national concerns about the lack of physical activity and the declining nutritional status of young children.