Mayo Clinic creates active classroom

ROCHESTER, Minn., March 14 (UPI) -- Minnesota's Mayo Clinic unveiled an experimental classroom Tuesday designed to keep children moving while they learn.

Dr. James Levine, an obesity researcher at the clinic, and Lorraine Lanningham-Foster, a child expert, asked themselves if children really need to spend the school day sitting at desks. They decided the answer is no.

The classroom built by the Rochester Athletic Club has no chairs. But it does have standing desks and iPods and notebook computers.

Thirty fourth and fifth graders in Rochester had all their activity measured in a regular classroom before moving into the experimental one this week. The research team is giving the children a few days to settle down and then will measure the amount of moving they do using devices on their legs.

"When I was approached I realized that this has to be the face of the future not only for education but also for the health of American children," said Jerry Williams, the Rochester superintendent of schools.

Williams said that if the experimental classroom proves itself the city will consider adding one in an elementary school.