Solar energy is clean, free, and abundant worldwide. The challenge, however, is to convert it to useful forms that can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. This article presents an activity for physical science classes in which students learn firsthand how solar energy can be used to produce electricity specifically for transportation. The…

Traffic lights are an important part of the transportation infrastructure, regulating traffic flow and maintaining safety when crossing busy streets. When they go awry or become nonfunctional, a great deal of havoc and danger can be present. During power outages, the street lights go out all over the affected area. It would be good to be able to…

Roadways are literally soaked with petrochemical byproducts, oils, gasoline, and other volatile substances that eventually run off into sewers and end up in rivers, waterways, and other undesirable places. Can the roads be cleaned of these wastes, with their proper disposal? Can vehicles, robots, or other devices be designed that could be driven…

During the month of May, the author's eighth-grade physical science students study the six simple machines through hands-on activities, reading assignments, videos, and notes. At the end of the month, they can easily identify the six types of simple machine: inclined plane, wheel and axle, pulley, screw, wedge, and lever. To conclude this unit,…

Discusses the development of the U.S. suburb as a new "crabgrass frontier," settled by mid-nineteenth century city dwellers seeking an escape from increasing industrialization and immigration. Cites the transportation revolution and major technological innovations in home building as factors in development of the suburbs. (LS)

This curriculum guide has been developed as a resource for teachers (especially in North Carolina) to use in planning and implementing a competency-based instructional management technology program in their schools. The guide contains three main section. The first section contains introductory materials and a course blueprint that lists the…

This curriculum guide contains 41 interdisciplinary energy and environmental education activities to help students become familiar with past, present, and alternative sources of energy as well as the economic and environmental cost of energy consumption, and to develop an awareness of how limited resources affect life style. Each activity,…

This set of 25 instructional modules was produced by a group of industrial arts teacher educators, local teachers, and supervisors from eastern United States. Topic areas of these modules include: societal implications of the energy situation; awareness of energy terms, supply, and use; assessment of conventional and selected renewable alternative…

Presents an interdisciplinary lesson plan on the history and development of transportation in the United States. Includes activities involving role playing, simulations, research and presentations. Also includes a 48-item transportation book list. These activities illustrate issues of public opposition and support, economic development, and social…

The teacher's guide to a set of instructional materials for an English as a second language unit on automobiles as a form of transportation focuses on the history of the auto's development, importance to the Canadian economy, and impact on the lives of Canadians. The target audience is secondary students at intermediate and advanced English…

A cooperative training network was developed by West Hills Community College (Coalinga, California) in conjunction with government agencies/private businesses to train students in truck driving skills. Emphasis was placed on training women, members of minority groups, and disadvantaged persons. During the project, an advisory council was…