Welcome to URSA 2026 at Southern Utah University! All sessions will be in buildings on the upper campus (east end). Here’s the Campus Map (PDF) if needed.
🛝 Format Alert: This is a fluid, 2-hour "drop-in" playground where you can stop by anytime to explore small-group activities at your own pace.
Join us for an engaging session on the Gold Medal Schools Program, a comprehensive initiative designed to promote healthy lifestyles, regular physical activity, and nutritious eating habits among students. Originally created to coincide with the 2002 Utah Olympics, this locally developed program is being re-established to align with the upcoming 2034 Olympic games, playing a key role in the state's broader Rural Health Transformation Plan.In this session, we will explore the core components of the proposed five-year Gold Medal Schools Pilot Program, which empowers eligible elementary schools to implement evidence-based strategies and create school policies that support lifelong health and wellnessLearning Intentions: Inform participants about the new Gold Medal Schools Program for rural schools, including grant opportunities.Demonstrate the framework (to be developed) and model activities that educators can implement as part of the program. Activities may include: nutrition education, fitness assessments, adaptive and inclusive sports, bike education, and active transport. Success Criteria: Participants have access to the framework and understand the requirements of Gold Medal Schools. They will also know how to apply for funding for the 2026-27 school year. Participants can lead and administer the activities modeled during the session with students.
Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None
Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Any of these
