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

care to change the world
“Our students’ academic performance has improved as a result of the focus and organizational
“When published, the data we collect may
disseminate the positive effects of dance and
may change the direction of exercise
programs for inner city, minority children,”
says Ms. Gustafson.
CityStep began in 2004 with an afterschool
dance program at West Philadelphia’s Anna
Howard Shaw Middle School. Since then, the
program has expanded to include three
additional Penn neighborhood schools,
Andrew Hamilton, Charles R. Drew, and
Morton McMichael elementary schools.
Teams of four to five Penn students travel to
the schools twice a week and work
collaboratively with teachers and students to
choreograph a five-minute piece based on
the year’s chosen theme. Ms. Gustafson has
worked with CityStep since its inception at
Penn and is one of the program’s executive
directors this year.
In her research, Ms. Gustafson will conduct a
small-scale controlled trial to determine if
skills practiced during their rehearsals. CityStep has not only brought a knowledge and appreciation
for dance and theater, it has also developed a newly found confidence in our children.”
RONA SCHWARTZ, EdD, teacher
CityStep can assist the students with
maintaining or losing weight, increasing
class participation and self-esteem, and
decreasing absences, as reported by teachers
and the students themselves.
“By studying CityStep and its effects on the
students, I hope to explore possible links
between dance and adolescent health that
could lead to the expansion of similar inschool
programs that might positively affect
the health and outcomes of adolescents
across the country,” says Ms. Gustafson. “If
we are able to demonstrate the efficacy of
the CityStep program, we will be better
positioned to obtain additional funding to
expand the program throughout the city.”
The Vagelos Grant provides monetary awards
to Penn undergraduates from across the
University to support their research activities.
Awards are made on a competitive basis by
the Center for Undergraduate Research and
the Vagelos Grant Faculty Advisory Committee.
Kristin Gustafson and students practice their routine.
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