As the needs for both academic content review and physical activity in children rise, the Canadian-headquartered company Lü created the perfect solution: the interactive playground. These systems are installed in instructional spaces like gymnasiums and include a projector, movement detection camera, sound system, and multi-colored lighting system. While it's primary use is for student engagement with one of its hundreds of apps, it can also be used for movie nights, dances, professional presentations, and more!
CHPS' Innovative Learning team traveled to Bensley Elementary School in Chesterfield County to witness a demo of the system by provider Clinton Learning. As they witnessed the joy on their students' faces -- and even got into the fun, competitive spirit themselves -- they knew these systems would be a great fit for our North Stars, Lakeview Owls, and Tussing Tigers. The division's Maintenance Department played a major role in the project -- preparing walls, electrical, and other components for the systems.
In the Fall of 2024, a Lü Uno system was installed by Dorothy Technologies in each of our three elementary schools. These installations were made possible by American Rescue Plan Act's ESSER III funds intended to close learning gaps post-COVID. Instructional coaches, classroom teachers, and PE teachers can collaborate to create and modify the systems many games and activities to include the very content students are learning about in math, reading, science, and history. Not only does the Lü offer core content apps, but it also includes numerous sport, utility, virtual travel, health, critical thinking, and social-emotional learning apps.
The Lü provides a two-for-one environment where students exercise without realizing they're simultaneously reviewing content they've learned in the classroom. Tussing PE Teacher Corey Johnson highlights this need for students to move: "With students playing hours and hours of video games and not getting any physical activity, they now can play numerous games where they have to throw and kick balls, run, walk, jump, think, discover, and work as teams." Lakeview PE Teacher Lenny Cothron says that it brings the kids' competition mode to a new level and, so, increases their motivation to be physically active.
PE teachers Corey Johnson (Tussing), Kevin Daniels (North), and Lenny Cothron (Lakeview) and their principals have been so excited at every step of the process, and now that the systems are installed, each PE teacher is set to complete training with the company to become comfortable with their new system. Before their training slated for mid-November, the teachers couldn't help but dive in and explore on their own. They've already used their systems to conduct the pacer test and play sports-related games, and they can't wait to learn more about the many resources it has to offer.
Enjoy the short video clips below of students at North and Tussing having a blast with their new Lü systems, and be sure to look up the next time you're in one of the gyms to see the system yourself!