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How do you teach kids – and their parents – about wellness in a fun, interactive way?

It helps to have exhibits with lots of buttons to push, eye-catching computer graphics and, oh yeah, a cool device that measures how high they can jump.

The Iowa Hall of Pride recently finished installing the fourth in a group of interactive exhibits that provide hands-on activities on sports-related health and wellness issues.

“It’s totally interactive,” said Jack Lashier, the Hall of Pride’s director, after demonstrating the jump pad. “And it’s a great way for kids when they come (here), rather than just seeing memorabilia or artifacts, they actually get to do these things.” The jump pad is one component of the exhibit just completed by Des Moines Orthopaedic Surgeons P.C., which has other games as well as interactive lessons on topics such as biomechanics and avoiding sports injuries.

Along with the new orthopedic exhibit is an interactive tour of the eye and an eye health exhibit created by Wolfe Eye Clinic, a heart and respiratory health exhibit by Iowa Heart Center and a nutrition and fitness exhibit by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield. These organizations committed to sponsor their respective exhibits and keep them updated during the next 10 years. The new exhibits are located just past the admissions desk and are now among the first displays that visitors encounter.

Each sponsoring company developed the information for its exhibit, which was then brought to life by Jason Ramos, a software consultant who oversaw the design of Hall of Pride’s original exhibits. The first exhibit was installed this spring, with the last put in place in the past month.

“We convinced the Wolfe Eye Clinic to be the first one, and once the other ones saw what we had done and the environment it was going to be in, they were really excited,” Lashier said. “If we had more space, we probably could do more of this, but we’re really maxed out in exhibits in our space right now.”

Amy Noble, director of marketing for Des Moines Orthopaedic Surgeons, said the Hall of Pride’s affiliation with the Iowa High School Athletic Association and its emphasis on addressing wellness through a sports perspective is a fairly unusual approach in the United States.

“This exhibit could help support health and wellness education curriculums pretty easily,” she said. “One of the things we intentionally set this up for was so that teachers could use it as a teaching tool.”

Since its opening in February 2005, the Hall of Pride has averaged approximately 80,000 visitors annually, including about 45,000 children each year. Since January 2007, the Hall of Pride has offered free admission for all Iowa K-12 students through a sponsorship by Musco Lighting.

Originally funded with $13 million in contributions, including a $5 million Vision Iowa grant, the Hall of Pride has continued to receive funds from corporate sponsors and presenters, and has also raised approximately $3 million for a sustaining endowment that enables it to keep adult ticket prices at $5.

“We wouldn’t be able to continue on if it was just admissions,” Lashier said. “But we think that we have done so many things that showcase Iowa in such a positive way that businesses and individuals continue to want to be a part of this and want us to stay relevant and fresh.

“I think the best thing for the business community is that the (Hall of Pride) just adds to Des Moines’ overall package. When people come from out of state, it’s another thing that they can do along with the Science Center (of Iowa), Living History Farms and the zoo.”