Are the stairs at STA really as thigh-burning and calorie-crunching as many STA students claim them to be? And which routes around the academy provide optimal exercise benefits?

Well, the Dart pulled out their tape-measure, selected a sample student and set out to find the answers.
To determine approximate exercise benefits, the Dart measured the distance (in feet) of each hallway in Donnelly and M&A, in addition to the slopes of the staircases in each of these buildings.

A sample student (105 pounds, 16 years old) then walked each of these distances-once with a 27 pound backpack and 4 pound netbook (includes standard STA carrying case) and once without.

Time, number of steps and heart rate were calculated for each of these distances and trials. Using the determined HR of the sample student, the Dart figured the approximate calories burned using the following formula from www.livestrong.com: C=(0.4472 X H-0.05741 X W+0.074XA-20.4022)X T/ 4.184 (C=calories burned; W=weight of subject; H=HR per minute; A=Age of subject).
According to the results, it appears that STA student claims are arguably true.

The hallways that offer optimal exercise benefits while carrying a backpack are the first floor of Donnelly and the second floor of M&A.

Although experimental results will vary, the sample student burned 11 calories after walking each of these two hallways, which, according to www.myfoodpyramid.gov, is equivalent to approximately one dill pickle about 3.75’ X 1.25.’

After walking 3rd floor to 3rd floor with a backpack, the sample student burned an estimate of 50 calories, equivalent to one breakfast sausage link, one cup of carrots or cubed watermelon or ½ of a fun size package of chocolate M&M’s.

Although this may appear minor, consider an average schedule.

Now, take into consideration bathroom breaks, runs to the printer, side-trekking, weaving, etc.

Using the graphic (appearing in volume 6 of the print Dart and coming soon to dartnewsonline), map your route and figure your approximate mileage and calories. All in a days work at the Academy.
*Results of experimentation will vary depending on the weight of the student and weight of backpack, in addition to the pace and overall activity level of the student. The experiment assumes that the student walks in a straight line down the hallway and does not account for weaving or side-trekking.