URI_Research_Magazine_2011-2012_Melissa-McCarthy

fall, they offer weight training, fitness, cooperative games and sport skills in the Tootell West Gymnasium and in the Kinesiology Laboratory. Her research specialty is integrating technology into physical education classes. Before joining the faculty at URI, she designed physical education curriculum for Boston’s public schools that included activities measured by pedometers and heart monitors. Urban children, especially, need effective physical education classes because the health risks are higher for minority children and they often lack activities that are available to suburban children, such as soccer leagues and organized activities, she said. “They can’t go out and play after school because it may not be safe,” said Clapham. Additionally, Clapham and Lori Ciccomascolo, URI’s associate dean of the College of Human Science and Services, implemented a 10-week program in Providence’s public schools designed to increase the activity and self- esteem of young urban girls. The program involved 30 girls in grades three to five from the Sackett Street Elementary School. It took place in the spring of 2010 and combined lessons in communicating, conflict resolution and problem solving with activities in the gym designed to reinforce those lessons. “Research has shown the activity of girls in middle school plummets,” said Clapham. This is due to a variety of reasons including low self-esteem, decreased opportunities for movement, and activity choices in physical education. To address these issues, Clapham and Ciccomascolo designed a research study called “Effect of a Leadership Curriculum and Physical Activity Program on Fourth and Fifth Grade Girls’ Academic Achievement, Self-Esteem and Attraction to Physical Activity.” The study was funded with a grant from the URI Foundation. “It was great fun working with the young girls, and we hope to bring the program to more schools in the future,” she said. Meanwhile, surf’s up in Narragansett and thanks to Clapham, Rhode Island has joined states such as Florida and California in pursuing the value of ocean therapy. Noting URI’s nearness to several South County beaches, and Rhode Island’s moniker as the Ocean State, Clapham said, “We’re in the perfect location for this research.” “Clapham has taken her passion for surfing and combined it with her professional interests in teaching physical education to children with disabilities.”

Emily Clapham

Bringing URI Ocean Research to Bear on Rhode Island Economic Development 27