Reimagining Health Education: Skills-Based vs. Knowledge-Driven Approaches

This interactive session will challenge health educators to critically examine their teaching strategies by comparing skills-based approaches aligned with the new SHAPE America National Health Education Standards to traditional content-focused instruction rooted in functional knowledge. Through engaging discussions, practical examples, and evidence-based insights, participants will explore how each approach influences student behavior change, engagement, and belonging. Attendees will learn how to integrate best practices that foster inclusive, holistic learning environments -- supporting students of diverse abilities, backgrounds, and languages -- while effectively encouraging meaningful participation. The session will also highlight current research on how students best encounter and adopt new health behaviors, emphasizing strategies that promote trust, connection, and community within the classroom. By the end, participants will be equipped with actionable strategies to enhance their creation of instructional content that prioritizes health skills.