Proposal

**__Project__** For my project, I plan to organize and hold a dodge ball tournament in the high school gym. I would hold the tournament after school, most likely on a Friday, to raise awareness about childhood obesity and healthy living inspired by [|Michelle Obama's Let's Move campaign]. Through my tournament, I hope that participants and spectators get a greater understanding of the serious issue of childhood obesity, and strive to make healthier choices on a day-to-day basis. This understanding will come through my information I'll provide as well as the fun entertainment of the dodge ball tournament.  To complete my project, I will carefully manage and organize the event as far as dates, times, and other details go. I will also need to advertise in school to get students to make tournament teams that will participate. Contact with the school will also be necessary to ensure the gym will not be in use when I plan on holding the tournament.
 * Graduation Project Proposal**

In order to complete my project, I will need the high school gym for a night, numerous teams to compete in the tournament, a couple people (possibly gym teachers) to referee the games. Aside from the tournament, I will need enough research to inform participants and spectators about the inspiration for the tournament. Also, I will need advertising through posters, commercials, etc throughout the school prior to the event.

**__Research__** The topic of my research is childhood obesity, and specifically the potential risks and prevention of childhood obesity. I chose this topic because of my high level of involvement in sports and my belief that being active has so many more benefits, both physically and mentally, than activities that do not involve getting up and moving. I have high hopes for younger generations to steer away from video games, computer and internet entertainment, and addictions to television and become healthier through being more physically involved and choosing more nutritional diets. __Essential Question__: In what ways can childhood obesity be prevented in order to grow a healthier generation that is free from physical and psychological consequences that are directly linked to being overweight as a child? No, I have not had any prior experiences with the topic of childhood obesity. However, it has always interested me, and learning more about it has raised my worry for younger kids who I see constantly zoned into a video game or television show. The two major groups of people that will benefit from my investigation of childhood obesity are children and parents. For children, the more knowledge they have of what they can do to be healthier and more active, the more they can put that knowledge to use and find things they enjoy that are active, rather than inactive. For parents, they can learn a lot about what they can do for their children to help promote and encourage a healthy lifestyle, especially in terms of what they are feeding their children on a daily basis. __Potential Sources:__ **See Annotated Bib.