Using physical activity to boost brain activity is what a new program in Binghamton elementary schools is all about. The Motor Labs have been put in three of the district's seven elementary schools, the most recent being MacArthur. 

Kimberly Wiggins, the occupational therapist behind the project, says a study conducted at MacArthur is already showing students improving in academics after only eight weeks of using the Motor Lab. 

"What happens is that those motor skills are developing these pathways in your brain and the pathways need to be there so you can create synapsis to connect with the higher levels of thinking. So, we need to have as many pathways as possible," says Wiggins.

The students use the lab for 20 minutes three to five days a week, depending on the class. Wiggins points out the activities are things that adults recognize as having done as kids, but that kids today don't get exposed to as much. It's things like pogo bouncing, balance beams, and jump rope.

"We live in such a world of technology that kids aren't getting these types of activities as much now," says Wiggins.

The next school to get the Motor Lab will be Wilson Elementary. Wiggins says the plan is to have this program in all the Binghamton elementary schools by the end of the school year.