The Sport, Integration and Mental Health through Physically Active Learning (SIMPAL) Project is hitting an exciting milestone as it launches its piloting phase! Across 48 classrooms in Poland, teachers and students are diving into an innovative approach that blends movement, teamwork, and play into everyday learning. This initiative is designed to support the inclusion and well-being of both Ukrainian and Polish children, and early results are already looking promising.

A highlight of the pilot is the engaging ‘Integrative Detective Adventure’—a digital tool developed by AKIL that turns students into young investigators. Through movement-based activities, pupils solve puzzles and uncover mysteries, adding a thrilling twist to their learning journey. The first mission is already underway, and classrooms are alive with excitement as children embrace their roles as detectives!

To start their adventure, students received detective ID cards and printed materials and participated in an activity to sharpen their observation and problem-solving skills. Their first challenge? Cracking a secret code and discovering hidden clues—an activity crafted to enhance logical thinking, teamwork, and active participation.

Their first investigation led them to Warsaw, where they hunted for mysterious symbols hidden in city signs. This not only sparked critical thinking but also introduced them to the rich cultural and historical heritage of Poland and Ukraine—all while keeping them physically active.

Teachers are capturing students' progress and feedback in Project Diaries, which will be essential for refining the program and ensuring its long-term impact. This real-time insight will help adapt the activities to meet student needs and maximize engagement.

To further enrich the experience, participating classes will receive mini-grants for purchasing sports and play equipment. This ensures that movement and physical activity stay at the heart of the learning process.

Next up: The Emotions Challenge!

With a strong focus on mental health and trauma relief—especially for children from Ukraine—the next stage of the pilot will center on emotional well-being. Students will tackle the "Emotions Challenge," designed to help them understand and manage emotions through movement and play. Using a cartoon-based digital format, this activity will make complex emotions easier and more fun for kids to grasp.

Shaping the future of Physically Active Learning

The piloting phase is a pivotal moment for refining the SIMPAL methodology, ensuring its approach to Physically Active Learning (PAL) is both effective and engaging. Insights from teachers and students will guide improvements before the program potentially expands to more schools and countries across Europe.

As the pilot progresses, we look forward to sharing more stories and insights, inspiring educators worldwide to embrace PAL as a dynamic tool for learning and inclusion.

Learn more about the project: pal.isca.org/simpal

Photos by: Krokiet and Lama Academy, SIMPAL Project Partner: https://akademia.krokietilama.pl/

SIMPAL Project is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.