The mission of Susan P. Byrnes Health Education Center (Byrnes HEC, LearntobeHealthy.org) is to educate and inspire people of all ages to make healthy choices, instilling in them an appreciation of the incredible human body and providing the tools needed to make healthy choices.
Programs feature a variety of multimedia experiences along with high-tech exhibits and unique hands-on displays, allowing children to learn while having fun. Since 1995, more than 700,000 students throughout South Central Pennsylvania and Northern Maryland have visited the Byrnes HEC to better understand the human body and develop healthy lifestyles.
Byrnes HEC offers health education programming for adults through Wellness Works and community outreach programming on several health education topics. After visiting the Byrnes HEC, former U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. C. Everett Koop said, "You have finally found a way to put pizzazz into prevention!"
The Byrnes HEC and Highmark Foundation relationship began in 2005 with the launching of LearntobeHealthy.org, a free, web-based health science learning resource designed to help educators and parents communicate important health concepts to students. The educational portal puts the dynamic Byrnes HEC programs online, making them accessible around the globe. The portal contains cross-curricular lesson plans, interactive games and activities, and more; all adhering to many Pennsylvania state and national educational standards. These elements are organized into topic specific kits available to educators at no cost.
With Highmark Healthy High 5 funding, LearntobeHealthy.org launched a special teen site in 2007. Through many interactive features, the site has engaged tens of thousands of today's tech-savvy teens. Users log onto a secure, password protected platform where they can create their personal journal, set goals, and track healthy behaviors; complete cool surveys to learn what their peers are doing to get healthy; and share or exchange their thoughts on subjects of interest including how to deal with a bully or ideas for resisting high-fat foods. Through a selection of kits such as Extreme Makeover: Body Edition or Virtual Body Explorer, users can access information that helps them achieve good health while reaching important goals.
LearntobeHealthy.org inspires students, and their families, to make healthy choices that will last a lifetime. Teachers, adolescents and teens will all learn and enjoy the information on LearntobeHealthy.org.