Strong Middle School, located in Melvindale, Wayne County, Michigan, continues to make big technology changes. Coach Marissa Cox and her teaching partner Mike Hill are leading that change in their subject area Physical Education and Health (HPE). As Melissa explains, “About 5 years ago our district went through a big technology incorporation. That was the beginning of our goal to find and incorporate heart rate sensors along with other technology options designed to promote physical activity. In 2021, we were thrilled that Heart Zones MOVE Solution was offered as part of the BHC: Step Up grant and we launched.”
The grant allowed Strong Middle school to jump into connected fitness, using edtech equipment like smart treadmills, stationary bikes, rowing machines, and even Mirrors which have a display built in that streams live workouts to their students to teach them about how technology can help them stay healthy throughout their life.
What is the most fun about using Heart Zones in your HPE Program?
“The most fun for my students is watching in real time how different activities affect their heart rates and how much effort it takes to keep their heart rate in the optimal zone. They like how easy it is to glance up and see their tile change from blue to yellow/orange and even red. The most fun part for me as their teacher is observing my students having a genuine interest in raising their heart rate through physical activity and then getting excited about their Fit Points for the class or when they raise their MVPA%,” Marissa explains.
Coach Marissa’s personal interests are like the name of her school, strong. She is a graduate of Western Michigan University with a master’s degree from Western Governors University in English Language Learning. Marissa runs 1/2 marathons and mountain bikes, but most of all she loves a new sport – STUNT.
As she shares, “I am a collegiate official for a new emerging female sport called STUNT the Sport. It is derived from a mixture of cheerleading skills and gymnastics; then put into a head-to-head competition. STUNT is the fastest-growing female sport in the country. I am currently a certified college STUNT official and have officiated four national championships. In 2019, I founded the National Intercollegiate Association for STUNT Officials to educate, recruit, mentor, and assign certified STUNT officials to games nationwide.”
Marissa Cox welcomes your reaching out to her to learn more about their HPE
program and how she invigorates it using the lessons from Heart Zones Smart PE.
You can reach Marissa at:
Strong Middle School,
Physical Education and Health Teacher
3303 Oakwood Blvd.
Melvindale, MI 48122
(m) 813-785-1892
(e) coxm@melnapschools.com
