Presents an activity that explores the operation of Maglev trains. Demonstrates that elementary students can master cutting-edge technology through creating and racing magnetic vehicles on a specially designed track, researching the history of rail transportation, and exploring a current science issue. (NB)

During the 1995-96 school year, the Savannah-Chatham County (Georgia) Public Schools averaged 800 daily telephone complaints about transportation. Applying total-quality-management principles improved client satisfaction via a Pareto problem analysis chart, a customer response data-collection team, and driver teams who strategized ways to reduce…

Suggests that diesel exhaust from most of the nation's school buses may be hazardous to children's health. Documents studies on the nature and potential magnitude of the risk to children and proposes replacing petroleum diesel with biodiesel as the fuel for school buses. Presents the merits and practicality of switching to biodiesel as a healthier…

The conscientious transportation director knows that self-directed evaluations are one of the most effective ways to effect improvements in job performance. This article presents nine test situations based on pupil transportation directors' actual experiences. Analysis and answers are provided. (MLH)

Teachers can use the movement of a tricycle's wheels to demonstrate ratios, and the movement of an automobile's wheels can be used to explain how a differential works. Additional concepts can be taught using trains, which negotiate turns through the flanges on their wheels, allowing the outer wheels to turn more slowly than the inner wheels…

Sixteen people with blindness or visual impairments used three different types of tactual maps of the New York City subway system presenting information at three levels of specificity. Results indicated that the tactual maps improved participants' attitudes toward the subway and benefited blind as well as low vision participants. (Author/DB)

The important role of special education bus drivers is highlighted, and parents are offered suggestions for making their child's transportation to and from school a positive experience. Suggestions include following proper procedures, informing the driver of any special concerns, solving problems with compromise, and treating the driver in a…

Describes how 900 elementary students planned, designed, and constructed Technotown out of 1 million LEGO pieces. Presents a learning activity (objectives, materials, challenge, evaluation, and closing thoughts) on the building of a subway system for Technotown. (SK)

Field trips are troublesome for educators, because normal responsibilities may be exacerbated by supervision and transportation requirements. Forms should be very comprehensive as to field-trip description, objectives, provisions, special instructions to students, and liability-release statements. Emergency preparedness and specific supervision…

Explains how the use of lifts, restraints, and movable seating on school buses helps schools provide safe transportation to students with special needs. The importance of air conditioning for students with respiratory problems, particularly as the schools expand their summer courses, is highlighted. (GR)

Argues that school districts should adopt diversified education programs selected for their conceptual strengths and evidence of effectiveness. (PKP)

Organizational performance is highly influenced by how employees envision the future. To date, many scholars have emphasized the importance of an overarching future vision that unites all stakeholders, while acknowledging the presence of divergent perspectives among members. This variety in perspectives may be further complicated in organizations…

During the century spanning the years 1868-1968, the African-American railroad attendant's presence on the train became an American tradition. By the 1920s, a peak decade for the railroads, more than twenty thousand African-Americans were working as porters, providing a variety services for passengers on the sleeping cars. The railroad was the…

An astounding construction feat of Chinese Americans was the work done on the western section of the transcontinental railroad. The groundbreaking ceremony for the new line took place in Sacramento in 1863, but up until 1865, less than 50 miles of running track had been laid, and this was over relatively level land. The construction superintendent…

School buses present great exposure to vehicle self-pollution. Fixed nitrogen loss in oceans is attributed to anammox. Oriented attachment allows nanowire design.