Game Face Goes to School

Tips On Using the Game Face Exhibit

as a Springboard to Learning and Outreach

By Kitty Burns, NCGS Game Face Project Coordinator

The Game Face School Exhibit is a powerful tool to enhance discussion with our students and community members about girls' health and well-being. More than a photographic exhibit of female athletes, it is coordinated with a meaningful curriculum developed in concert with NCGS. (See: Classroom Kit.) Game Face opens dialog in a personal and thoughtful way for all girls about athletics, character, and life values.

The good outcomes of athletic participation by girls -- better health and grades along with less high-risk behavior, more confidence and self-esteem, a positive body image and a sense of well-being -- are depicted and discussed in the Game Face School Exhibit and curriculum. As well, learned and fostered critical concepts and skills --  such as teamwork, group process, cooperation and sensitivity to others, loyalty, goal setting, achievement-oriented behaviors, and the pursuit of excellence, risk-taking, the value of preparation, of meeting deadlines, of dealing with pressure -- are infused in the Game Face project. All of these are crucial to girls' success in their future endeavors and workplace.

The Game Face School Exhibit is anchored around several key words:

• Determination
• Risk
• Effort
• Fulfillment
• Achievement
• Satisfaction
• Completion

These words can be applied to not only the athletic experience but to academics, the arts, community service, character development, life. Quoting co-curators Jane Gottesman and Geoffrey Biddle, the Game Face School Exhibit is an "educational outreach program to promote a positive body image and to help achieve a balance between elite achievement in sports and playing for the simple joy of participation."

Of course, the Exhibit and coordinating curriculum represent much more. We have seen that Game Face leads schools down avenues that are productive and exciting for many disciplines because of the 'classic' nature of the photographs, both stylistically and content-wise. NCGS schools who have hosted the exhibit and used the curriculum have devised a variety of models and approaches for Game Face that suit the uniqueness of each school.  From photographic and essay contests to alumni, admission and community events to bookfairs and athletic events, the Game Face School Exhibit has served as an anchor to reach various school constituents.

There are other opportunities presented to NCGS schools hosting the Exhibit and incorporating the curriculum into your schools:

• Showcase a one-of-a-kind exhibit, as NCGS member schools have exclusive use if the School Exhibit; terrific opportunity for community outreach, press releases and exposure.
   
• Show institutional support for your athletic teams, coaches, trainers, athletic directors, and fans; we host art exhibits, theater performances, concerts, and speaker series, readily working them into our calendars and budgets why not a 'sports' exhibit? 
   
• Host a form of media that actually sends a positive message to young women; it's a chance for our students to slow down, take an unhurried look, and to personalized the represented experiences.
   
• Show strong support for your school's mission statement and to be a mission-oriented school; just about all of our missions refer to health, well-being, participation in athletics in some form, and life preparedness.
   
• Collaborate with other NCGS schools in your area for shared programs and events.
   
• Collaborate with like-minded organizations in your area; this is a terrific venue to get other groups on your campus and a great admissions opportunity.
   
• Support counseling and advisory programs at your schools; Game Face provides a jumping-off point to open dialog with each of your students to talk about issues that all adolescent girls struggle with; we know that counseling and advisory programs and individual attention are some of what set our schools apart from competitors; Game Face presents a unique way to utilize these two important school programs.

NCGS members, please contact us about hosting the Game Face exhibit at your school. We have developed a series of procedures and best practices that will help you derive maximum value from hosting the exhibit and making use of related materials.

Also:

Printable Game Face Goes to School Flyer »