Real Food Rules Podcast

What happens when 6th graders learn about nutrition and get to write their own lyrics?In the winter of 2026, students at Robert J. Kaiser (RJK) Middle School in Monticello, NY, partnered with STEAM Fund’s teaching artists Beth & Scott Bierko to explore the difference between real food and processed food—and transformed what they learned into original songwriting lyrics for the high-energy song Real Food Rules.Through the Real Food Songwriting Program, students connected wellness, creativity, and teamwork while building skills across science, health, language arts, and music. Inspired by questions like “What does food mean to you?” and “How does food make you feel?”, their lyrics highlight how real food fuels focus, energy, and healthy habits—while encouraging smarter choices like reading labels, choosing whole foods, and swapping out ultra-processed snacks.🎤 Song: “Real Food Rules” – Lyrics written and performed by 6th Graders at RJK Middle SchoolListen for the powerful message about real vs. ultra-processed foods, making smart healthy choices, and how paying attention to what we eat can shape how we feel—and celebrate how music can inspire lifelong wellness! ❤️🥕🍎🎵This project was made possible by the generous support of:• The Rowley Family Foundation• The Bonacic Family Foundation• Sullivan County Discretionary Fund• 98.3 WSUL Heart-A-Thon ❤️• SC BOCES AIE CoSerInterested in bringing this engaging, student-centered program to your school or district? Visit steamfund.org and contact Gary Siegel to learn how The Real Food Songwriting Program can work for your school and community.Special thanks to everyone at RJK Middle School and our friends at A Single Bite for making this experience so meaningful!

What happens when 5th graders learn about nutrition and get to write their own music?In the winter of 2026, students at Sullivan West Elementary School in Jeffersonville, NY partnered with STEAM teaching artists Beth & Scott Bierko to explore wellness, physical activity, and healthy habits—and transformed what they learned into an energetic, original song about movement, consistency, and keeping their hearts strong.Through the Real Food Songwriting Program, students connected physical health, creativity, and teamwork while meeting learning goals across science, health, language arts, and music. The program’s hands-on, joyful approach helps students remember positive habits long after the final chorus fades.🎤 Song: “Exercise Makes My Heart Go Boom” - Written and performed by Mrs. Ahnstrom and Mrs. Hendrickson’s 5th Grade ClassesFrom skiing and climbing to dancing and jumping, this high-energy performance celebrates staying active and keeping your heart in a healthy zone—so press play and feel the beat of healthy living! ❤️🏃‍♀️🎵This project was made possible by the generous support of:• The Rowley Family Foundation• The Bonacic Family Foundation• Sullivan County Discretionary Fund• 98.3 WSUL Heart-A-Thon Interested in bringing this engaging, student-centered program to your school or district?  Visit steamfund.org and contact Gary Siegel to learn how The Real Food Songwriting Program can work for your school and community.Special thanks to everyone at Sullivan West Elementary School and our friends at A Single Bite for making this experience so meaningful!

What happens when 5th graders learn about nutrition and get to write their own music?In the winter of 2026, students at Sullivan West Elementary School in Jeffersonville, NY teamed up with STEAM teaching artists Beth & Scott Bierko to explore the difference between real food and processed food—and then turned what they learned into an original, catchy song!Through the Real Food Songwriting Program, students connected wellness, creativity, and teamwork while meeting learning goals across science, health, language arts, and music. The result? A joyful, hands-on experience that helps healthy habits stick long after the final note is sung.🎤 Song: “Eat Like a Rainbow” - Performed and written by Ms. Brey’s 5th Grade ClassListen along and see how colorful choices can make a healthy difference—one lyric at a time! 🌈🍎🥕This project was made possible by the generous support of:• The Rowley Family Foundation• The Bonacic Family Foundation• Sullivan County Discretionary Fund• 98.3 WSUL Heart-A-Thon ❤️• SC BOCES AIE CoSerInterested in bringing this engaging, student-centered program to your school or district?  Visit steamfund.org and contact Gary Siegel to learn how The Real Food Songwriting Program can work for your school and community.Special thanks to everyone at Sullivan West Elementary School and our friends at A Single Bite for making this experience so meaningful!

What happens when 5th graders learn about nutrition and get to write their own music?In the winter of 2026, students at Sullivan West Elementary School in Jeffersonville, NY partnered with STEAM teaching artists Beth & Scott Bierko to explore healthy hydration, real food choices, and the science behind how our bodies work—and turned what they learned into an original, catchy song all about the power of water.Through the Real Food Songwriting Program, students connected wellness, creativity, and teamwork while meeting learning goals across science, health, language arts, and music. The program’s hands-on, joyful approach helps students remember healthy habits long after the final note is sung.🎤 Song: “Water Makes My Heart Happy” - Written and performed by Ms. Brockner’s 5th Grade ClassFrom head to toe, this upbeat performance celebrates staying hydrated, skipping sugary drinks, and fueling your body the real-food way—so press play and sing along to this heart-healthy tune! 💧❤️🎵This project was made possible by the generous support of:• The Rowley Family Foundation• The Bonacic Family Foundation• Sullivan County Discretionary Fund• 98.3 WSUL Heart-A-Thon ❤️• SC BOCES AIE CoSerInterested in bringing this engaging, student-centered program to your school or district?  Visit steamfund.org and contact Gary Siegel to learn how The Real Food Songwriting Program can work for your school and community.Special thanks to everyone at Sullivan West Elementary School and our friends at A Single Bite for making this experience so meaningful!

What happens when 5th graders learn about nutrition and get to write their own music?In the winter of 2026, students at Sullivan West Elementary School in Jeffersonville, NY partnered with STEAM teaching artists Beth & Scott Bierko to explore the difference between real food and processed food—and transformed what they learned into an original, high-energy song about fueling their bodies for health and strength.Through the Real Food Songwriting Program, students connected wellness, creativity, and teamwork while building skills across science, health, language arts, and music. The program’s hands-on, joyful approach helps students remember healthy habits long after the final chorus fades.🎤 Song: “Best Fuel For My Heart” - Written and performed by Mrs. Olsen’s 5th Grade ClassListen for the powerful message about fruits, veggies, protein, and smart choices—and celebrate how music can inspire lifelong wellness! ❤️🥕🍎🎵This project was made possible by the generous support of:• The Rowley Family Foundation• The Bonacic Family Foundation• Sullivan County Discretionary Fund• 98.3 WSUL Heart-A-Thon ❤️• SC BOCES AIE CoSerInterested in bringing this engaging, student-centered program to your school or district?  Visit steamfund.org and contact Gary Siegel to learn how The Real Food Songwriting Program can work for your school and community.Special thanks to everyone at Sullivan West Elementary School and our friends at A Single Bite for making this experience so meaningful!

Episode #7 – “Get More Sleep” features The Dreamy Dragonfruits, a group of 6th graders from Mrs. Mitreski’s and Mrs. Davis’ class at Liberty Middle School in Liberty, NY. In the Fall of 2025, students collaborated with STEAM teaching artists Beth and Scott Bierko to explore how nutrition, daily habits, and healthy routines all work together, then turned their learning into an original song focused on the importance of getting enough sleep. This episode highlights how the Real Food Songwriting Program connects wellness, creativity, and teamwork, helping students share meaningful messages about healthy choices that stick long after the music ends.

Episode #6 – “Real Food” features The Chicken Nuggets, a group of 6th graders from Ms. Clifford’s class at Liberty Middle School in Liberty, NY. In the Fall of 2025, students partnered with STEAM teaching artists Beth and Scott Bierko to explore the difference between real food and highly processed food, transforming their learning into an original song that encourages listeners to be informed and intentional about what they buy and eat. With clear messaging and student-driven creativity, this episode highlights how understanding ingredients and food sources can lead to healthier choices, while showcasing the Real Food Songwriting Program’s joyful, hands-on approach to blending wellness, teamwork, and music in ways that last beyond the classroom.

Episode #5 – “Make Good Choices” features The Banana Peels, a group of 6th graders from Ms. Cummins’ and Ms. Geiger’s class at Liberty Middle School in Liberty, NY. In the Fall of 2025, students worked with STEAM teaching artists Beth and Scott Bierko to learn about nutrition and the difference between real food and processed food, then turned that knowledge into an original song encouraging listeners to slow down, be informed, and make healthier choices before buying and eating. With thoughtful lyrics and upbeat creativity, this episode showcases how the Real Food Songwriting Program blends wellness, teamwork, and music into a hands-on experience that helps important lessons stick long after the music ends.

Episode #4 – “Look at the Label” features The Wavy Watermelons, a group of 6th graders from Mrs. Murphy’s class at Liberty Middle School in Liberty, NY. In the Fall of 2025, students teamed up with STEAM teaching artists Beth and Scott Bierko to explore nutrition and the difference between real food and processed food, turning their learning into an original song with a clear message: slow down and check the label before you buy and eat. Through catchy lyrics and student-driven creativity, this episode highlights how reading ingredients can help people make healthier choices, while showcasing the Real Food Songwriting Program’s hands-on, joyful approach to connecting wellness, teamwork, and music in a way students remember long after the song ends.

Episode #3 – “In Our Garden” features The Garlic Gardeners, a group of 6th graders from Mrs. Klein’s class at Liberty Middle School in Liberty, NY. During the Fall of 2025, students collaborated with STEAM teaching artists Beth and Scott Bierko to explore nutrition and the difference between real food and processed food, then brought their learning to life through an original song inspired by growing, choosing, and enjoying wholesome foods. This episode highlights the Real Food Songwriting Program’s joyful, hands-on approach to connecting wellness, creativity, and teamwork—creating lessons that resonate long after the music ends.

Episode #2 – “Dying Is Unhealthy” features The Dye-A-Beats, a group of 6th graders from Mr. Golden’s class at Liberty Middle School in Liberty, NY. In the Fall of 2025, students worked with STEAM teaching artists Beth and Scott Bierko to explore the differences between real food and highly processed food, transforming what they learned into a bold, memorable original song about how everyday food choices impact long-term health. Blending humor, honesty, and creativity, this episode highlights how the Real Food Songwriting Program connects wellness, teamwork, and self-expression—helping students create messages that stick long after the music ends.

“Don’t Skip Meals” features The Superb Strawberries, a group of 6th graders from Mrs. Abplanalp’s and Mrs. Davis’ class at Liberty Middle School in Liberty, NY. Working with STEAM teaching artists Beth and Scott Bierko, students explored real food versus highly processed food and turned what they learned into an original song that highlights why regular, healthy meals matter. This episode launches the Real Food Songwriting Podcast with a fun, student-created reminder that good nutrition fuels learning, energy, and well-being—long after the music ends.