Designing Awareness Sessions that Inspire
PRE-SESSION DESIGN
Who – what do you know about your audience, the experience they bring and what motivates them to
come to your session – what’s “in it” for them:
Why – what is the situation calling for your presentation and how can you support larger goals of the
Healthy Schools Program:
When & Where – what is the space like where you will present, what day, date & time is the session and
for how long):
What (Objectives/Outcomes) – as a result of your presentation, what will your audience know, be able
to do and think or feel:
Title (what is a fun, catchy title that will describe your session and inspire someone to attend):
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THINGS TO CONSIDER
Room set-up conducive to discussion and
movement
Bike Rack
Relevant visuals on slides
Music
Decorate room/tables
Directions provided on slides
What else…?
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SUPPLIES
A-V needs (LCD projector, screen, computer,
speakers, microphone, USB remote)
Flipchart & markers
Handouts (activity sheet, promotional materials,
resource & website lists)
Note Catchers
Sticky notes
Scissors, tape, etc.
What else….?
Designing Awareness Sessions that Inspire
HOW – MAKING THE SESSION ENGAGING
SETTING THE STAGE (10-15% of presentation)
 Introduce yourself – use a story or pictures – make yourself relatable to the audience
 Describe the topic – why the audience might care, what’s in it for them, how it connects with the
Alliance and the Healthy Schools Program
 Share the session’s objectives/outcomes
 Practice how to get the group’s attention after an activity (chime, clap, hand signal, whistle)
 Discuss logistics, as necessary (how questions will be handled, how to take care of needs, purpose and use of the bike
rack, presenter and audience expectations, handouts and materials)
What will you do…?
PARTICIPANT CONNECTIONS (10-15% of presentation)
Get-to-know who’s in your audience and assess where they are relative to the content (poll, continuum, four
corners, stand up if you, ask questions)
What will you do…?
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ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES TO CONSIDER
What else….?
Think-pair-share
Small group discussions and cooperative
learning
Simulations and timed tasks
Creative expression (drawing, writing, dance,
song)
Movement-based activity
Personal reflection
Personal goal-setting
Action planning
Video viewing
Audio listening
Role-playing
Values clarification
Brainstorming
Storytelling and case studies
Questioning techniques
Fishbowl
Jigsaw
Team competition & games (e.g., jeopardy)
Designing Awareness Sessions that Inspire
PRACTICE AND RELEVANCE ACTIVITY (50-60% of presentation)
 Have participants do something with the information
 Guide them to practice using the information, sharing with others or planning how they will integrate
the learning into their lives
 Remember, slides are not your presentations
 If using slides, create slides that are visually appealing, use relevant graphics and serve as an
enhancement to your information
What will you do…?
PLANNING AND CLOSING (10-20% of presentation)
 Revisit items on “bike rack”
 Recap three key, action-oriented messages
 Share resources
 Assist participants in considering “next steps” – what they can do
to make schools healthier
 Share essential contact information (Alliance and yours)
 Conduct brief evaluation
 Thank your audience
What will you do…?
WRAP UP EXAMPLES
3-2-1: Ask participants to write
down or share three things they
want to remember, two things they
are going to do as a result of your
session, one person with whom
they will share something from the
presentation
Next Steps: Have participants
take a large step forward one at a
time quickly sharing the one thing
they will do when they get back to
their schools to improve the
environment – if in an auditorium,
they could stand and share with a
neighbor
I liked/I still need: Have
participants fill out their name and
email along with answers to what
they liked and what they still
need/want.