Nearly 7,000 5th graders in 15 school districts in Snohomish County, Wash., will be getting watch-sized electronic devices to measure their activity levels throughout the school year.
The Gear Up & Go program will provide students with ongoing measures of their activity with the goal of increasing their off-the-couch time.
The Sqord PowerPods are like pedometers with some technological tweaks. They also measure the intensity of activity. The more time students spend on get-up-and-go activities, the more online points they earn. Students can check on their progress at computer stations at participating schools and YMCAs in the county.