Legacy Project

 

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

The Blue Zones Legacy Project has two significant components. First, it provides the opportunity for kids to interact with someone from a different generation to learn more about the meaning and importance of legacy—both on an individual level and generational level. Second, it provides the opportunity for kids to be involved with real scientific research by sharing their findings with scientists on the Blue Zones team.

The Legacy Project empowers students to identify and interview “super seniors” in their communities, much the same way the Blue Zones team interviews centenarians. Through this project students discover first hand the behavioral practices that contribute to healthier and longer lives. We expect that the seniors will pass on wisdom to the younger generation to follow and emulate.

Getting Started

The Legacy Project is an interdisciplinary study, incorporating various subject areas—science, health, social studies, geography, history, and language arts. The project also allows students to gain interviewing, problem solving, and critical thinking skills.

Directions

To complete the project, please participate in Lessons 1–6. At the end of the project, mail your completed Legacy Project student packets to:

Blue Zones
724 North First Street
Minneapolis, MN 55401

Lessons

To assist with this Project, we’ve chosen to utilize the Big6™ Information Problem-Solving Skills. With this approach, students will identify healthy people 75 years of age or older who have retained their vitality– perhaps a neighbor, a relative, or a family friend. Students will interview these “super seniors” and record relevant information.

Info Seeking (PDF)
Interviewing Tips (PDF)
Location Access (PDF)
My Current Lifestyle (PDF)
Super Senior (PDF)
Survey Exercises (PDF)
Synthesis Evaluation (PDF)
Task Definition (PDF)
Trails Exercise (PDF)
Use of the Information (PDF)