Education

Blue Zones believes in empowering kids to Explore, Question and Act. Our educational program includes ready-to-use lesson plans and a Curriculum Guide correlated to National Standards.

The Blue Zones Program consists of four modules:

Quests

We offer a free, interactive learning expedition that culitvates curiosity, collaboration, problem solving and critical thinking.  Join us on our next Quest April 20 - May 1, 2009.  Students learn with us as they direct a live expedition unlocking longevity's secrets in real time. >>

How the Quest works:
Each day for two weeks students direct our scientists as they travel to a new Blue Zone to identify common threads in lifestyles, diet, outlook and stress-coping mechanisms found in the world's oldest and healthiest people.  Daily content includes videos, written dispatches, photographs and opportunities to vote to direct the team’s logistical, ethical and storyline decisions.

How you use the Quest in the classroom:
Use the program as little as 15 minutes a day, spend about an hour or create a whole unit with the content.  Blue Zones provides an interactive Web site, curriculum guide, lessons and activities for you to use as it fits into your schedule.

Register as an educator:
To allow your class to vote and gain access to the lessons, be sure to register as an educator at the LOGIN at the top of this Web page.  Last year’s Quest included over 100,000 registered users and the longevity secrets discovered became an integral part of Dan Buettner’s New York Times bestselling book, The Blue Zones --- Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who’ve Lived the Longest.

Blue Zones Challenge

The Blue Zones Challenge is a four week heath and fitness program that empowers students to take charge of their own health. Our goal is for students to apply what they find in our Quests to their own lives. It's about creating their personal Blue Zones. >>

Legacy Project

The Blue Zones Legacy Project is a multi-disciplinary research project for students to find "super seniors" in their community. We're turning kids into real scientific sleuths, using the same technique our team in the field is using to identify and learn from successful agers. >>

Financial Challenge

The Blue Zones Financial Challenge is a financial literacy program allows students to work toward a healthy and wealthy old age. >>

In addition, we have created a Resource section and an area just for Educators:

Resources

Much of what is discussed in the Blue Zones modules is based on commonly understood nutrition and fitness terminology. Yet with the decline in the amount of time spent teaching health, we have created a Glossary of terms we frequently use and a list of helpful books and Web sites to reference. >>

For Educators

Our Curriculum Guides and Lessons are available within each program section on the Web site.