upFRONT spring 07.FINAL.rev - University of Pennsylvania School ...

care to change the world
CityStep
Research often tackles the difficult task of
challenging assumptions. Can school
programs promoting dance in an organized
fashion help reduce the epidemic of
childhood obesity?
Sands Scholar Kristin Gustafson, Nu ’07,
received a Vagelos Undergraduate
Research Grant from the Penn Center for
Undergraduate Research to study CityStep, a
community service program that allows
public school children to learn about
teamwork as they collaborate with college
students to create and perform an original
dance production. Ms. Gustafson, working
under the mentorship of Associate Professor
of Nursing of Children-Clinician Educator Terri
H. Lipman, GNu ’83, GRN ’91, PhD, CRNP,
FAAN, will explore the extent to which
CityStep provides a means for promotion of
healthy behaviors and a foundation for
development of increased self-esteem in
fifth, sixth, and seventh grade students in
West Philadelphia.
“Our students’ academic performance has
improved as a result of the focus and
organizational skills practiced during their
rehearsals,” says teacher Rona Schwartz,
EdD. “CityStep has not only brought a
knowledge and appreciation for dance and
theater, it has also developed a newly found
confidence in our children.”
(continued)
Kristin Gustafson, Nu ’07, (second from left) and
CityStep participants take a break from rehearsal.
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