WALDORF, Md. — Fourth graders at J.P. Ryon Elementary School in Charles County got a hands-on lesson in nutrition during a 4th Grade Health Expo, discovering the surprising amount of sugar in popular beverages. The event, held to cap the Food for Thought reading module, aimed to answer the question, “What can we do to make more healthful food choices?” through interactive stations led by local experts.
Students in Denae Lancaster’s class were skeptical when asked to estimate the sugar content in a 20-ounce soda, guessing five to seven teaspoons. Guided by Mary Winkler, a nutrition teacher and clinical exercise physiologist from La Plata High School, they measured out granulated sugar equivalent to what’s found in drinks like sweetened iced tea, sports drinks, and soda. A cherry Pepsi shocked them with 70 grams—nearly 17 teaspoons. “Nope,” said fourth grader Alaijah Parker. “I’m never drinking soda again. I’m only drinking water from now on.”
The expo, organized by teachers La’Niya Johnson, Denae Lancaster, Aniya Wood-Reynolds, and Keah Mason, rotated students through classrooms and the gym for two hours of learning. “We wanted students to have a memorable experience and make valuable connections to the reading content,” Mason said. “The Health Expo engaged all students and provided them with a two-hour extension to our reading curriculum.”
At another station, Jessica Conjour, a nutrition educator with the University of Maryland’s SNAP-Ed program, taught the importance of “eating the rainbow” in her presentation, “Variety: The Spice of Life.” Clarifying it wasn’t about “tasting the rainbow” like Skittles, Conjour explained how colorful fruits and vegetables support health. Students then made rainbow wraps—tortillas filled with vibrant vegetables and topped with yogurt-based lime crema. “Students were able to learn about the benefits of mixing it up a bit with food,” Mason said. The activity aligns with USDA guidelines promoting diverse diets for children.
To incorporate fitness, Jillian Genua, a physical education teacher from T.C. Martin Elementary School, led an indoor obstacle course and games, filling a gap left by Ryon’s lack of a PE teacher. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasizes that physical activity complements nutrition education for lifelong health. “Bringing in experts and partnering with other schools and organizations also showed a sense of partnership and community,” Mason said. “This was just what our students needed.”
The expo wasn’t just for students—teachers participated, sampling rainbow wraps, navigating the obstacle course, and guessing sugar amounts. “The teachers believe in providing students with rich and meaningful learning opportunities and experiences whenever possible,” Mason said. “While we follow curriculum guides, we also always think of different ways we can engage students to enhance learning. We are not simply textbook and worksheet educators.”
The Food for Thought module encouraged critical thinking through texts on nutrition, building toward the expo’s practical lessons. Charles County Public Schools’ curriculum integrates such modules to foster engagement, with health literacy a key focus. The event’s impact was clear as students like Parker reconsidered their drink choices, reflecting a shift toward healthier habits.
Future expos are planned, with organizers hoping to expand partnerships. Parents can access nutrition resources through the school’s website at https://www.ccboe.com/schools/jp-ryon or Maryland’s SNAP-Ed program at https://extension.umd.edu/programs/snap-ed.
