Exploring BodySMART: a STEM Program Empowering Students Through Health Biometrics and Safety

In today’s world, students are increasingly exposed to new technologies, including a multitude of wearable devices. A report published by Market.us stated that as of 2023 approximately 60% of children aged 7–12 owned or regularly used a smart watch. With the prevalence of access to this kind of tech, students should understand the health and safety risks of a world dominated by networks and connected devices. 

What is BodySMART? 

BodySMART is our dynamic standards-aligned STEM program designed for students grades 6–12. It is comprised of 4 units and it explores the intersection of health, wellness, and technology. Each unit provides students with an authentic understanding of some of the emerging areas of human performance, health, safety, and how biometric devices can be improved with new developments in data science. Furthermore, each unit introduces students to career role models in the Navy and other government-contracted industries that are leaders in these critical fields.  

How BodySMART Engages Students

Through interactive lessons and engaging projects in each of the 4 units, BodySMART helps students understand key health topics such as:

• Tracking Health Securely: in unit 1, students learn how to securely track health data while addressing the potential security risks that come with tracking this kind of data. Then to apply their knowledge, students can build their own prototype of a secure health tracking device. 
• The Effects of Heat and Hydration: in unit 2, students cover the effects of heat and hydration on human performance during exercise. Then to display their knowledge, they can design a heat-tracking system prototype that addresses health challenges faced by athletes and miliatry personnel. 
• Sleep Deprivation: in unit 3, students explore the effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive ability. To better understand the effects of sleep deprivation, students can create a reaction game that demonstrates how a lack of sleep effects human performrance. 
• G-Force and Concussions: in unit 4, students investigate the effects that G-force and concussions have on the human body. To further understand, students create a prototype of an impact detector that allows them to detect and measure forces that lead to injury. 

BodySMART isn’t just about teaching health concepts—it’s about making health education more engaging, interactive, and relevant to today’s students. By integrating technology into the learning process, students gain exposure to the tools that are shaping the future of healthcare and wellness.

Why is BodySMART Important?

As these development and research in these areas continue to grow, the need for individuals trained in these STEM fields will become greater and greater. BodySMART acts as a bridge between traditional education and the real-world development and some of the careers that are available in healthcare technology, data science, cybersecurity and more. Furthermore, it provides students with a deeper understanding of how technology can be used safely to improve overall well-being. 

By giving students the tools and knowledge to understand and use health technology, and how real-life professionals end up in their profession, BodySMART could create the next generation of innovators, researchers, doctors, etc. Whether students pursue a career in medicine, tech, or wellness, BodySMART aims to spark interest in these fields and lay a strong foundation for future success.

How Can You Get Involved in BodySMART?

BodySMART is available to educators on Scoutlier and accessing the instructional content is easy: check out our guide here! Scoutlier has made it easy to bring this innovative, tech-nolgy focused program into your classroom, as we have even created a kit materials resource list at the bottom of the webpage here. The kit materials include everything that has been rigorously tested and help to successfully deliver the BodySMART program to your students. If you have questions about the program or would like to learn more about it, you can contact us.