HealthWorks! Kids' Museum St. Louis

Why we exist-
Children should not have to suffer from diseases that are preventable. HealthWorks! not only provides valuable health education, but inspires children to want to make healthy choices. HealthWorks! educates and inspires more than 30,000 children and caregivers each year to make healthy choices and we are still continuing to grow. Children today struggle with obesity, poor nutrition, dental disease and other health issues. In fact, one out of every six children in the United States is obese. These kids have an increased risk of developing a range of health problems, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, bone and joint problems, asthma and type 2 diabetes, depression and other chronic health conditions. In 2018, St. Louis City ranked 113 out of 115 counties in health outcomes. This is an area where approximately 40% of children live in poverty and are at increased risk. Making matters worse, there is a void in early childhood health education. Good news is - these health issues are preventable. And, it is far easier to prevent disease than to treat it. This is where HealthWorks! Kids' Museum St. Louis comes in. It is the region's first-ever children's museum solely dedicated to health education. The $2.25 million facility boasts 12,000 square feet of space that helps fill a critical void in health education by providing fun, engaging, interactive exhibits and programming designed to educate and inspire kids and families to make great choices.

What we provide-
As guests enter our museum, children encounter the world's largest set of fiberglass teeth, which hangs from the ceiling in our 12,000-square-foot interactive space; bubbles burst forth as the teeth transform from yellow to white to generate excitement around good oral health.
Next, the kids are greeted by a giant 55-foot long, 25-foot wide, 8 foot tall human skeletal structure that serves as a universally accessible indoor playground called Interactive Dude. As children explore Interactive Dude, they experience a hands-on anatomy lesson including climbing inside a skull where they discover different parts of the brain and their functions; they encounter a giant electronic game that allows kids to interact with the internal organs; and they explore an All-About-Poop panel that actually passes gas (as you can imagine - this is a huge hit with the kids!). Interactive Dude has two, 10-foot legs, one that serves as a giant slide, and another that serves as a balance beam.
Enthusiastic health educators guide children through high-energy, fast-moving interactions, including mock medical and dental offices where kids wear lab coats, use blood pressure cuffs, and learn all the questions to ask at a checkup. In the pizza garden, farmers' market, and hands-on kitchen, children identify and select healthy foods that they love to eat. Through role playing and cooperative group activities, our health educators encourage children as they playfully experience social cooperation skills, behavior management, and even conflict resolution. Our program captivates children's natural interests in how their body works and how they can help it function at its best. Inquisitive kids burst with questions: "Why do I have to eat vegetables? How does my brain work? Why should I brush my teeth?" Answering these important questions with interactive experiences, kids discover for themselves how their bodies work and why healthy eating, exercise, hydration, and even brushing their teeth are all important to help their bodies be their best. Lessons like these and all of our exhibits include evidence-based best practices that creatively produce unforgettable and habit changing experiences. Children learn through play how to make healthy choices to become their healthiest selves.

How we Impact the community-
HealthWorks! programming has inspired 91,398 feet to get moving and discover how good health habits lead to a longer healthier life; taught kids how to brush and floss more than 913,980 teeth to prevent tooth decay; kept germs away from over 456,690 clean fingers; ignited the curiosity of 45,669 young brains through the exploration of hands on exhibits and activities; and trained 91,398 hands to choose lots of fruits and veggies when packing their lunches or choosing their snacks.
Responses from local teacher surveys found that 100% of them believe health education is necessary to a child's development, and 100% agree, or strongly agree, that HealthWorks! provides this education and gives students the tools to make healthier decisions and change their behavior. Furthermore, survey responses from 935 students and parents who visited the museum found that 93% increased their health knowledge. There is also the anecdotal feedback, which is received regularly...