University of Wisconsin-Platteville instructor Susanna Swenson accompanied 12 students from her Methods in Elementary Physical Education course to the Wisconsin Health and Physical Education (WHPE) Convention in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, Oct. 27-29.
Among the UW-Platteville students in attendance were two groups that had enrolled in Swenson’s Methods in Middle/Secondary Physical Education class last spring. They were tasked with creating a conference-worthy virtual interactive unit plan specific for a new concept within physical education. Swenson was impressed with the ideas of the two groups and recommended they apply for the proposal to present. They were accepted and were the only undergraduate presenters at the convention.
The two presentation topics were Infusing Critical Thinking into Physical Education and All Sports Golf.
Infusing Critical Thinking into Physical Education looks through the lens of both the teacher’s and students’ perspectives. It involves teachers developing content and activities to challenge the minds of other students via recycling and connecting cross-content concepts. It was developed and presented by Patrick Marfilius, Riley Glonek and Caleb Anderson.
“It was an honor to present at the conference. We worked hours on end throughout the past year to prepare for this amazing opportunity,” said Marfilius, a senior from Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, on his group’s behalf. “It feels great that [UW-Platteville] and our teachers care about our opportunities and experiences in the field of physical education.”
All Sports Golf highlights the ideas of golf using equipment within any physical education storage closet. It’s a budget-friendly concept and was developed and presented by Colin Johnson, Danni Garcia-Havens and Caleb Anderson.
“[We] can't express enough how lucky we are to have Susanna Swenson throughout this entire process,” said Johnson, a senior from Sartell, Minnesota, on behalf of his group. “None of this happens without her. She is the heart and soul of the health and human performance community at UW-Platteville.”
Swenson not only teaches courses in physical and health education and assists students with presenting or attending the WHPE Convention, but she also has a special interest in professional development.
“I am proud of the efforts, dedication, and professionalism of these students,” said Swenson. “They were part of an experience that will add as another building block for their future. We can never provide them with too many opportunities to grow.”
Additional attendees included Taylor Ohm, Madie Cooley, Sarah Diehl, Tanner Drews, Damarius Sims, Robert Liberto and Amanda Kissinger.
The Wisconsin Health and Physical Education Convention is a state convention held each fall in Wisconsin Dells. There were 600 attendees at this year’s conference.