How can "virtual field trips" and ear massages during the school day benefit students? By helping them become healthy leaders using quick, physical activities called "brain breaks," according to "Fuel Up To Play 60" ambassadors.

The breaks were one of the initiatives discussed by students at Wareham Middle School who serve as ambassadors for Fuel Up To Play 60 during an after-school meeting on Friday. Launched by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, Fuel Up to Play 60 is a youth-led program focused on getting students to adopt healthy habits.

Physical education teacher and Fuel Up To Play 60 district contact Nicole Stahmer heard about the program several years ago and then brought it to Wareham Middle School.

"Being healthy and being a leader need to happen together," said Stahmer.

State, school and community ambassador Indiana Troupe seconded the statement. For him, Fuel Up To Play 60 is ultimately about leadership.

Over the summer, Troupe was selected to attend a national summit where he, along with 156 students from all over the country, exchanged ideas about physical fitness.

One of the ideas Troupe wanted to bring back was the brain breaks.

Troupe and students Joseph Urnek, Kevin Decollibus, and Nate Conlon are taking the initiative into their own hands, while Stahmer, Principal Dr. Peter Steedman and sixth grade science teacher Beth Giuffrida offer tips and suggestions.

The ambassadors agreed that students would benefit most from the brain breaks before lunch and again at the end of the day so that students aren't "going crazy" when it's time to go home.

With collaboration from the teachers on what will work and what's needed, the students laid out their plan for the month until their next meeting, set for Nov. 18.