The middle school program integrates media education into math, English, science & social studies. Lessons are divided into content areas so they reinforce each other and no one teacher does entire unit. The middle school program educates students about the effects of excessive media viewing. Students also conduct their own research and become committed to making changes and educating other students, parents, and community members about media. Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School Research Center for Media and Child Health (CMCH), evaluated the Take the Challenge middle school curriculum.

“The study showed that the intervention was successful at reducing students’ TV viewing and TV viewing during meals significantly decreased. Results also showed that the amount of time spent playing outside, sleeping and exercising significantly increased in the invention group and media time overall was reduced. According to teacher reports, students in the intervention group stayed on task and completed their homework more while there was little to no change in the comparison group.” (Bickham, David, Efficacy of a School Based Intervention to Reduce Screen Media Time for 6th-8th Graders, Evaluation Report).