Colorado Health and Physical Education Summit 2026

Through this session you will find strategies to engage students through disc golf.

This session is to share different instant activities and how you can connect SEL to them. Along with how to adapt so all ability levels can be included. While also demonstrating some Paralympic Games and how they connect to SEL.

Design a playlist with intention to creating a multi-sensory learning experiences for all learners. The concept of using music in PE is not a new one; YES! it is motivating! However, intentionally selecting your music can greatly enhance student outcomes for fitness, movement, gross and fine motor skills as well as emotional/social experiences. Participants will be given strategies to deliver content utilizing multiple modes of learning and intelligences of learning, that incorporates music throughout. Create a playlist that serves as your lesson plan.

Join Austin Olson (Pacific Trails Middle School, San Dieguito Union High School District) was recognized by the Society for Health and Physical Education (SHAPE) America as the 2024 SHAPE America Western District Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year. Previously honored as the 2023 California Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year by CAHPERD, he was a finalist for 2024 SHAPE America National Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year.

In this session:
What if your students did most of the thinking, leading, and learning? In this session, you’ll discover how to transform your middle school classroom into a student-led environment where engagement and ownership thrive. Through purposeful, interactive strategies, you’ll learn how to shift from being the center of instruction to a facilitator of meaningful learning experiences.
Walk away with practical tools to empower students to think critically, collaborate effectively, take on leadership roles, and reflect on both their own growth and the work of their peers. When students take the lead, the energy, creativity, and accountability in your classroom will rise.

Join Austin Olson (Pacific Trails Middle School, San Dieguito Union High School District) was recognized by the Society for Health and Physical Education (SHAPE) America as the 2024 SHAPE America Western District Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year. Previously honored as the 2023 California Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year by CAHPERD, he was a finalist for 2024 SHAPE America National Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year.

In this session:
Tired of the same routines? So were we. This session introduces themed WODs (Workouts of the Day)—short, high-energy workouts (8–12 minutes) designed to maximize engagement and effort. The twist? Students help create them.
Learn how to implement a system where students track progress, challenge themselves, and stay motivated through variety and purpose. We’ll also showcase our “Fitness Lab,” an engaging, challenge-based environment where students explore movement, build confidence, and celebrate progress.
If you’re looking to increase participation, effort, and excitement in your program, this session will give you practical, ready-to-use ideas that students genuinely buy into.

Flag football is growing across the US and OPEN has free resources for elementary and middle school PE programs to help students prepare to pursue their dreams on the gridiron! This activity-based session will take participants through activities in OPEN’s free Flag Football modules for grades 3-5 and 6-8. Teachers will leave with tools to teach their students passing, catching, evading opponents, basic rules, and game play so students have the confidence and competence to participate moving to high school! Join in the action to learn more about this latest trend!

How do we make every PE class a laboratory for belonging, agency, and prosocial behavior? In this highly interactive session, participants experience and unpack a practical framework that braids Teaching Personal & Social Responsibility (TPSR) levels, and SEL competencies to meet SHAPE America’s personal & social behavior standard—all while keeping kids joyfully active. You’ll analyze common PE tasks for embedded SEL opportunities, rehearse positive teacher language, and layer management structures that turn routines into relationship builders. Walk away with ready to use activities, conflict resolution protocols, and quick check tools students can use to self assess behavior and growth.

Here's a link to the Beta version of SEL activities.

Join us in the Cafeteria for to start the reflection process of the conference to create next steps, connect with others, and take in the learning before our last session of our conference. 

Using RAMP warm-up principles, we can close the gap between the end of a warm-up and beginning of a performance, as student performances respond better if their systems are appropriately activated. The RAMP warm-up also incorporates fundamental movement skills, foundational skills, and movement competencies as they enhance overall student development.