
What We Learned from 650+ Student Ideas on Nutrition and Wellness
Last year, the Nourishing Schools Foundation launched the Fit and Fun Ideas Challenge, encouraging students across India to submit their creative ideas for improving nutrition and wellness in schools. The overwhelming response—more than 650 ideas—demonstrated how engaged students are with these critical topics. Their submissions provided valuable insights into how we can continue evolving our toolkit and better meet the needs of children across diverse school environments.
We were glad to see how students gravitated toward interactive, hands-on activities. Many proposed combining physical exercises with nutrition education, highlighting games that promote healthy eating habits while encouraging movement. For example, students suggested activities like relay races and scavenger hunts, where participants learn about balanced meals by identifying and gathering different food items. Gardening projects were also a popular suggestion, where students could grow their own produce and learn about the nutritional value of different plants. This interactive approach underscores that students not only want to be engaged physically but also seek practical, real-world applications for the lessons they learn in the classroom.
Many of the submissions emphasised the importance of making wellness education locally relevant. Students recommended that schools incorporate local ingredients into nutrition programmes and ensure that games and activities reflect regional customs and traditions. This localisation ensures that the content resonates more deeply with students, making it easier for them to adopt healthier habits within their everyday lives. By tailoring programmes to the unique cultural contexts of various regions, we can create a more inclusive and effective educational experience.
The students also demonstrated a keen interest in sustainability. Many ideas focused on reducing food waste, improving access to healthy meals, and developing a greater sense of community responsibility around wellness. From proposing composting initiatives to creating school-based campaigns to reduce single-use plastics in cafeterias, students showed they understand the broader environmental impact of food choices. Their ideas reflect a strong desire to improve personal health and contribute to the overall well-being of their communities and the environment.
One of the more innovative ideas that emerged was the suggestion to develop video games centred around nutrition and wellness. This reveals an exciting opportunity to digitise the toolkit further and engage students in new, tech-friendly ways. Video games could make the learning process even more interactive and appealing, especially for younger students who are already familiar with digital platforms. By integrating game-based learning, we could transform the way students approach health and wellness, making it both fun and educational.
In summary, the Fit and Fun Ideas Challenge highlighted students’ creativity, engagement, and passion for improving health and wellness in their schools. Their ideas—ranging from interactive games and gardening projects to video games and sustainability initiatives—offer valuable insights into how we can continue to evolve our toolkit. By incorporating their suggestions, we can ensure that our programs remain relevant, engaging, and impactful, ultimately creating a healthier future for students across India.
Photo by Sara Torda on Unsplash
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