UK Global Rock Challenge
What Is Rock Challenge?
Rock Challenge is a series of performing arts events which promotes a healthy lifestyle.
The following is taken from the rock challenge website:
In the 2007 UK Rock Challenge® there were 4 primary school events, 27 secondary school/college events, and 5 secondary school/college Grand Finals. Over 15,000 young people took part.
A school / college team (made up of from 20 to 100 performers, 20 stage crew and 14 support crew - smaller numbers for Primary schools) decides on a theme, reflecting the personalities, concerns, hopes, dreams and interests of those who create it. They then create the choreography for their five to eight-minute dance-drama performance, select and record the medley of music for their soundtrack, and design and make their sets and costumes.
On the designated show day, the competing schools and colleges in that region assemble for a wonderfully friendly day of interaction, rehearsals and fun. In the evening they perform to a usually sellout audience of their peers, families and community members, and their performances are judged by a panel of specialists from the performing-arts industry. The winning team is invited to take part in a UK Southern or Northern Grand Final.
The challenge is for the students and their teachers to create and be involved in their own production from conceptualisation through to the live performance. The challenge is also to be the best that they can without the use of nicotine, alcohol or other drugs, and there are penalties for anyone who fails that challenge on any event day and for their team too. Feedback / research indicate that the concept works, with young people clamouring to return year after year to take part, with improved relationships with teachers at school, with a reduction - or even cessation - of substance abuse by team members and with a lower incidence of substance abuse generally within participating schools.
The Rock Challenge® communicates health and social education messages in a positive and supportive environment.
Rock Challenge Positive Outcomes
(Again taken from Rock Challenge Webiste)
Early research (in Portsmouth in 1996/97) showed not only a much-improved awareness and behaviour among Rock Challenge® participants regarding substance abuse when compared to those in a nearby matched non-participating school over a period of a year, but also positive changes regarding their attitudes to teachers, behaviour, teamwork and a growing commitment to such things as the importance of homework, working hard, regular attendance at school, doing well in exams and planning further education and future careers.
Independent research has also been carried out by two departments of the Leeds Metropolitan University, who looked at the Dance Action Zone Leeds (DAZL) involvement with the Rock Challenge® team at the 11-to-16 Merlyn Rees School from November 2000 through to Summer 2001. The full report by Sheila Scraton (Professor of Leisure and Feminist Studies), Fiona Stoddart (Research Officer) and Nicki Latham (Senior Lecturer in Physical Activity, Exercise and Health) is available on the internet at www.leedsmet.ac.uk/ces/lss_old/DAZL/index.htm but the Summary Findings from three of the report's sections are given below:-
PHYSICAL HEALTH BENEFITS
1. It was perceived by the DAZL Rock Challenge® participants and coordinators that taking part increased access to exercise;
2. increased fitness;
3. increased flexibility;
4. supported weight loss;
5. promoted awareness about the ill effects of smoking;
6. provided a supportive culture for those students who chose not to smoke;
7. provided the opportunity to discuss a range of different health related topics with the students;
8. provided opportunities for physical skill development.
MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS
The data indicated that the students involved in DAZL Rock Challenge® perceived that they had grown in self-confidence and had an increased sense of well-being because of their involvement. This confidence and sense of well-being appeared to manifest itself in a number of different ways for the young people. They spoke about:
- overcoming shyness;
- feeling better about their bodies;
- feeling more confident when they meet new people;
- the buzz factor from doing well;
- confidence to risk trying new things;
- a culture of mutual support within the group;
- a sense of shared identity;
- group solidarity;
- a sense of responsibility to the group.
- instil a sense of pride in the students involved;
- give them a credible identity within school;
- give the school an improved self image;
- develop a commitment to doing a good performance;
- support the development of a "DAZL Rock Challenge® Attitude";
- allow creativity;
- in some cases help individuals reflect on changes in their own behaviour.
COMMUNITY BENEFITS
The DAZL Rock challenge project provided:
- strong dance role models;
- career aspirations;
- certification of involvement in a dance project;
- opportunities to link into existing community dance opportunities;
- opportunities to raise the profile of Merlyn Rees School.
- friendships to develop;
- instances of team-building among student groups;
- career development opportunities.
Rock Challenge relies upon donations from people and from the Be Your Best Foundation. If you would like to donate, please visit the donate page here.
The Rock Challenge Website contains information on how to set up teams in your school and tours in and around your area.
